CHAPTER 30 CAME OUT SWINGING

  The jeers of the audience watching the two captives grew as they grabbed their swords. They knew soon, the sands of the arena would be drenched in blood. The guards watched carefully, standing by the gateway, their pole-axes dug into the sand. Kad felt the scimitar in his hand, its weight a comfort, as Luisante rolled his neck on his shoulders, silver blade flashing under the glare of the strange coloured fires.

  No hesitation this time, Kad.

  He flexed his arms, tapped his feet on the ground, drawing simple, nourishing breaths. He could feel a glimmer of excitement all around, from the eager crowds, to the sneering Judicator who judged them, and most of all, from the combatant in front of him. There was a glance of fear somewhere, breathing slowly from within the two Consumers who stood among the crowd.

  Don't watch this, Naika. Better to see me die than become everything I told you I wasn't.

  “Combatants at the ready!” A guard called out.

  Judicator Piesca took another draw of wine from a new goblet handed to him, and stood proudly at the edge of his platform.

  “Let us, the proud and noble few, bare witness to the Demiurge in motion.” He called out. “One may live so the other may die. I charge thee with finding thy own paths in our hallowed sands.”

  The cheers roared from the watching Calistan. Kad heard Luisante's breath pause in his throat as he held up his sword. Hatred and excitement swelled within his chest, his body beginning to tremble. Kad held his breath stoicly, the scimitar slowly raised.

  No hesitations.

  “Combatants-” The Judicator yelled. “Begin!”

  Before the word was barely in the air, the two fighters bounded towards each-other. Luisante swung high, meeting Kad's scimitar with a shrill clang. Kad gritted his teeth.

  “Came out swinging, huh?” Kad growled, forming an excited smile.

  Luisante did not retort, instead bounding backwards, rushing again with a swing of his blade. Kad ducked and weaved, dodging strike after strike. Luisante wasn't as quick as Kad, nor as strong as others he had encountered, but his movements were unpredictable. He bounced on his toes, leapt and charged. The silver blade came close to nicking him, ripping parts of his shirt and trousers, gaining ground as Kad resisted the chance to retaliate.

  He moves unlike any other we've fought before, got to wait for the right moment-

  Luisante ducked low, feigning downwards, and swinging up, Searing heat scarred Kad's cheek, blinding any other sapient. Kad hissed with pain, but Luisante barged at him with his shoulder. The wind was pushed out of his chest, his legs threatening to fall beneath him. He stumbled backwards, smelling the sweat and hearing the scrape of the silver blade along the sand as it was dragged quickly, swinging once more at him. Kad meant to catch it with his blade, but the swords did not come into contact. The point of Luisante's sword bit into his knuckles, pain howling from within.

  “Kad!” Naika shouted from another world.

  The scimitar tried desperately to escape through his fingers, but Kad held tightly. The iconography of the walls were baring down on him, and he had to escape his pursuer.

  Now!

  Kad leapt forwards, rolling as hit the ground, his hand growing hot and damp, minerals sticking to his new wound. His body began to ache, as the absorbed energy began to deplete itself. He bounded upwards, attempting to flank Luisante, but the Vulpine pivoted on a toe, spinning round quickly. The blades bit at each-other again, Kad feeling the shock run up his arm. His anger began to fuel him, his blows reigned out of a new, vicious frenzy. Luisante dodged them, al mostly effortlessly, spinning and pirouetting away from the bleeding Consumer.

  “That all you got?” Kad taunted, his teeth bared.

  Luisante remained silent, his eyes glimmering with primal purpose.

  Don't hold back, Kad, not like you did with-

  The Vulpine darted forwards, darting right, then left, shining sword aiming for Kad's chest. Kad gripped his blade in both hands, ready, as the point of the blade came for Kad's face. He deflected it, and Luisante barged into him again.

  “Come on, Consumey.” Luis breathed through sharp teeth. “Show us who you really are.”

  Kad's teeth began to itch.

  Show him.

  Luisante danced backwards as the crowds continued to yell, none louder than Luisante's supporters, calling for Kad's blood. The silver blade came at Kad again, suddenly lurching downwards and slashing at Kad's stomach. He called out, the jaws on his scalp splaying out in agony. Luisante pivoted again, spinning wildly, the sword coming from the right, aiming at Kad's mouth.

  Show him who you are.

  Kad ducked, but the blade sliced his temple, forcing him to recoil.

  Show him the monster you are!

  Kad pulled his head back, his hungry mouth began to elongate out of his head, much to the disgust of the watching Calistan. Kad hissed.

  Clac-

  Luisante grabbed forwards, pushing his fingers into Kad's mouth, grabbing at it by the bottom teeth. Kad tried to yell, but the shock forced any semblance of breath out of him. Instinctively, he pushed the jaws together, hearing the crunch of Luisante's hand bones, felt the blood gushing, but could not taste it. Luisante grunted, pulling at Kad, his sword glinting off of the reflection of his eyes.

  “Try it.” He teased through clenched teeth.

  Kad was frozen from the intrusion, feeling his clothes get damp and sticky with blood.

  Send him, Kad, show...him...

  The shimmers became hazes, whirling and blurring as everything within Kad's veins froze and hardened. With a gutteral roar, he lurched forwards, dragging Luisante's hand with his head as it collided with Luisante, stunning him. The crowd called out, Kad's jaws released the hand, and he swung.

  Show him!

  The scimitar thrusted upwards, cutting Luis vertically, catching on the Fungi-leather belt around his waist, cutting through the smart jacket and shirt, turning them crimson. Luisante called out as he fell backwards.

  This is the way, Kad. Show him...show them ALL!

  Kad's breath lurched through his teeth, the sword bleeding through his fingers. Luisante had fallen, though the slash was not deep. He watched with shock as Kad stumbled forwards, any resemblance of the man he was was clouded by blood-lust. Luisante went to dart away, but the Consumer's boot was planted heavily onto his chest, pushing back into the dirt. All around, the dizzying calls for his death or his life were spiralling, roaring towards Kad. Kad's teeth formed into a sinister smile.

  Reunite them.

  The scimitar hovered over Luisante, ready to send him to his brother. Luisante watched, defeat slowly spreading through his face.

  Show them! Show them, show them, show them, SHOW THEM!

  The Judicator stood closer to the edge of the platform, watching eagerly. The crowd all shouted, all desperate for the culmination.

  Don't.

  In between the roars, a whisper grew louder, uttered from a woman's breath in between prayers.

  “Kad, please don't.” Naika whispered again.

  His fingers loosened around the grip of his blade. His body shook as the hardness within his very arteries melted, draining from his face. The shimmers steadied themselves, changing from faint glimmers of where a person was, to what they were.

  Kad, don't!

  He breathed in deeply, taking his foot off of Luisante's chest, and stepping backwards. Confused murmurs began to sprout among the audience. The Judicator, bemused, looked from his guards tot he combatants, again and again, but no answers revealed themselves.

  Take his life, Kad, free us of this torment!

  “I won't.” He said softly, letting the sword fall from his hands.

  Luisante quickly pushed himself upwards, sword still pointed at Kad, blood seeping into his fur. He looked from Kad, back to the Calistan.

  “What are you doing?” He growled at his enemy.

  “I keep telling you.” Kad said as he swayed with exhaustion. “I'm no killer.”

  The clamour from the Calistan grew, a violent fervour spreading among the audience. Frustrated, Judicator Piesca clenched his fists.

  “Finish this fight, or doom thyself, Devourer.” He called out in between the callous calls for blood.

  Kad shook his head slowly, feeling the energy of the guards stepping onto the sands, their pole-axes thirsting for blood.

  What are you getting us into now, Kad?

  The guards looked at the Judicator, whose mouth groaned into a snarl. With a quick nod, the guards began to advance.

  “You'll get us both killed.” Luisante moaned.

  Kad remained still, nose and ears flickering. Throughout the jeers and shouts, the sound of wind behind the proving grounds whispered to him.

  That's our way out.

  The guards approached him, halting when he did not make a move for his blade. His teeth began to itch. He heard his companions whisper beneath their breaths, urging him to do something, as Ular Spider-Scar sobbed in her own world. One of the guards hesitated, looking once more to the Judicator, when Kad finally moved.

  His mouth elongated itself from the top of his cranium, jaws opening wide. Its teeth sunk into the air, and one of the guards twisted and groaned. Kad drank the energy, never tasting something so sweet and so sour before. The guard sunk to his knees as his life-force drifted through the air and into Kad's second throat. His muscles tightened, renewing, strengthening. The crowd watched with horror as Calistani guards pushed through them to help their comrades.

  “No, what are you doing?!” Luis called out with great terror.

  Kad began to salivate as he drank, his chest becoming full and his body full of splendour.

  So...refreshing...so much...better than that foul....creature's!

  The guard next to him watched with horror as his partner was drained, and whipped out his left hand. Palm aimed directly out at Kad, he could feel pulsating blue energy brimming through his body, pushing out from each of his finger tips. A great blast of blue, luminescent light flashed, hurtling towards Kad at an incredible speed. Kad released the guard from his confinement, and whirled his head round, jaws as wide open as he could make them, and lapped up the beam of strange magic.

  His feet dug into the sound, a terrible screeching sound blinded him as the storm of dimensional energy was forcibly fed into his jaws. He opened his lower mouth wide, yelling as the torrent was drained, a rush of energy that contained hours within every second. The air rushed past him, every molecule as sharp as a dagger, his body swimming with life.

  It-it's too much! I can't-I can't-!

  After several agonising seconds the energy dissipated, drained into Kad's body, flowing like vicious lightning through his veins. He struggled to keep his balance as he staggered like a drunkard. He had never felt so high, floating above the clouds, watching the arena from on top of the mountain. He had passed into a dream-world, where thousands of planets and worlds whirled past him at a dizzying rate. The vortex swirled around him, threatening to consume him. Every shout and insult slowed down, every slur they hurled at him was clear and concrete. His skin began to glow.

  “Kad!”

  Bright cyan, almost white, gleamed upon his veins. He began to convulse, the inner void of his throat glowed too. His body began to burn, something threatening to erupt from his body, all as he watched from another plane, barely feeling the white, searing pain coursing through him. His knees sunk into the ground, someone whispered something to him.

  Show them.

  The burning built on his top mouth, he instinctively ground his jaws together, creating a wall to seal the burning hurricane in his body, but he had to relent. His teeth were forced open, and from within, a concentrated blast of energy, more potent, more powerful, and deliriously fast, was launched from his mouth. The audience screamed as the room exploded from the impact, raining clumps of jagged rock onto the viewing platform. Hundreds ran, many of the guards quickly placed their hands together, forming purple shimmers that Kad could barely detect. Many were crushed, more were blinded by the sweeping storm of dust that eclipsed the arena.

  Luisante shouted, darting to cover as shrapnel and pebbles pummelled the both of them, but Kad was still floating. He fell through clouds, drifting past sunrises and full moons, watching the eternity of the Aerth live and die and be reborn before his back hit the sand, delirium still reigning over his mind.

  “Evacuate the arena!” A Calistani guard shouted.

  “Take the prisoners, kill the Devourers.” The Judicator called.

  Kad felt his body shaking as a gentle, furred hand was placed on his shoulder.

  “Kad!” A Fox shouted, reeking of familial blood.

  Kad?

  Who is that?

  What do you mean?

  It's us. It's always been us.

  Kad continued to watch as he detached himself from his limp body. He watched the guards near them turn their pole-axes towards Luis, his captors and kin hurry down the steps, back into the mountain outpost of Drezwi.

  Who are they?

  Once the captives had been pushed down the steps, one of them, a Consumer, stopped.

  They are no-one.

  The guard pressed their spear into the back of the elderly figure, urging them onwards, but he did not budge.

  Who are you?

  The Consumer breathed in deeply as his grand-daughter called out to him, covered in dust and tiny scratches. The mouth on top of his head writhed.

  I am all you need, Kad. I always have been.

  We can't trust anyone else, look where it's lead you!

  The Consumer began draining the guard behind him, his body growing in strength, as many began to startle and scream abound him.

  How many times must I say it?

  I am here to protect you.

  The guard fell to the floor, the Consumer stood tall.

  I make you strong.

  The frail wrists began to bulge, ripping through the vines that bound him. Another guard pushed through to get to him.

  They make you weak.

  The Consumer drained him too, growing stronger, prouder.

  They will hold you back from your true potential.

  The Judicator called for his blood, and the old man only breathed in deeply, a calm island in the midst of a typhoon.

  Only I can show you the way.

  Before anyone could reach him or the other captives, the old Consumer slowly, deliberately raised a finger, arm outstretched, pointing at beyond the arena, where the whistling wind lied. Energy began to pool at his finger tips, ready to fire like a Dvergr pistol.

  You must trust me, Kad.

  Why?

  Because, I am all you hav-

  The energy propelled itself, a compacted bullet that soared through the air, penetrating the thick flesh of the mountainside, exploding upon impact. More screams from the crowds as the walls began to rumble, another blast of dust and detritus flooded the arena. Kad felt a weight on top of him as something threw their body over his to shield him, eclipsing his sight with that of sweat, fur and blood.

  “Muymum!”

  Another guard yowled as thrusted his spear at the old man, but his grand-daughter was quick, unleashing her furious jaws on the guard, draining him until he slid backwards. She lurched her head backwards as she drank soundly, her body tightening with ecstasy. She broke free of her bonds too, and immediately began helping the other captives.

  “Cato, grab Kad!”

  “Very well.”

  Kad felt the robot easily break free from his bonds as if they were tissue, and sprint into the arena. Luisante was standing above Kad now, silver sword and scimitar, deflecting the two blows from each of the Calistan guards.

  “Follow me!” The Consuemr shouted, running into the arena.

  Thunderous footsteps rolled through the deep as the robot jogged past the two guards and the wounded Vulpine, and scooped up Kad's limp body. Kad felt his body swerve and the world spin, but any notion of the world was gone, replaced by blackness. The family and Luisante's entourage galloped towards them, but Kad felt a disappearance. Amidst the confusion, a figure in black had stepped from the shadows and grabbed Ular before she could be freed by Naika, a gloved hand placed over Ular's mouth, dragging her back to somewhere sinister.

  “Capture them! Kill the Devourers!” A noble voice screamed until it was hoarse.

  Kad felt the world drift away from him, feeling a burst of another energy sending a guard flying behind him.

  “Where to, Bimi Enkovu?” Cato asked.

  “Through the bloody hole in the wall!” Luisante shouted, running with the robot.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Very well. There is a tunnel behind there, that would be the most logical choice.”

  The guards began to pour into the arena, bright flashes of energy abounding as the fleeing captives heading towards the gaping maw of the tunnel. There was a spark of red, as black fire poured out of someone's fist, creepign along the sand, turnign each grain into sharpened glass as it hurtled towards them. Bimi spun, whipping energy out of his pal, sneidng it to the groudn before him, scatterign a cloud of sand over the burning hell-fire, causing thick smoke to pulsate out of the ground.

  Kad's began to regain feeling in his limbs as they reached the openign of the cave. Bimi turned once more, his breath beginning to fail as the guards began to glow with heightened energy. Bimi steadied himself, organising his breath, sending a waving hand to the ceiling. He blasted a final jet of energy into the ceiling. The rocks cascaded below, sealing them in, away from the shouting Calistan.

  “Put him down, pushta.” Bimi said to Cato.

  Gently, Cato placed Kad with his back to a large slab of granite, and Kad rushed in some harsh breaths, his entire body beginning to ache.

  “Easy, easy pushta.” Bimi said gently.

  “Kad!” Naika said, rushing to his side, taking his hand into hers. “Are you alright?”

  Kad felt an unwelcome smile forming on his lips.

  “Much better now.” He said weakly, feeling something warm radiate from her chest.

  “We have to go!” The Gorillon shouted, hearing the Calistan reaching the blockade.

  Outside, purple magic to form, beams of energy were thrown at the rock. It began to glimmer, shaking.

  “Cato?” Naika asked, gripping Kad's tighter.

  “There are multiple tunnels.” The robot said, scanning the area.

  “Which one leads us outside?” Luisante asked.

  “ I cannot discern from here, furry one. My sensors read there is one with a forty-nine percent chance of reaching the area outside.”

  The blocks of stone that glimmered burst with white light but did not explode, instead they changed, from granite to something darker, an igneous stone. The guards outside wailed, more energy began to pool within them.

  “Then let's try that one.” Naika said sternly, standing up. “Come on Kad, up on your feet.”

  With shaking legs, Kad was pulled up, supporting himself on a dark wall beside him.

  “Lead the way, robot.” Luis shouted, and Cato obliged.

  Bimi groaned as the depleted energy took a toll on him, too.

  Kad stepped forwards, grabbing Bimi as he began to sway.

  “Thank you, pushta.”

  “Come on, both of you, let's go!” Naika shouted.

  The igneous rocks glimmered, flashing again, this time transforming into an opaque white crystal.

  “I got you, old man.” Kad wheezed, taking Bimi's arm around the shoulder.

  Luisante hesitated, turning towards them.

  “This is yours.”

  He threw the scimitar under-hand at Kad, who caught it deftly by the handle, and nodded in reciprocation. Luisante turned, urging the others to follow the robot through the unsteady tunnel. The crystal flashed beside them.

  ***

  After a few minutes, Kad's senses began to regain their footing in the holds of his mind, but a dark cloud of grogginess still betrayed them. From behind them, he felt the crystal flash another time, this time turning to sand that crumbled. The guards cheered as they rushed into the tunnels behind them. The creeping tunnel was only lit by the crimson glow of Cato's glimmering sensors.

  “Crap, they're coming.” He shouted as the group began to panic.

  “I can feel...” Bimi said all too quietly. “More in the tunnels, trying to catch us.”

  “Don't suppose you can shoot any more of that magic, can you old timer? Seal them in behind us?” The Satyr shouted from ahead.

  Bimi shook his head.

  “We just have to find the way out.” Luisante said confidently. “How are we looking, robot?”

  “My sensors say it should be around this turn.”

  The black tunnel twisted, but there was no exit waiting for them. Instead, two blades were thrown at Cato's red sensors.

  “Help!” The robot yelped, yanking his head back.

  The blade sparked as it scratched against the red glass of Cato's eyes. The Calistan ranger, cloaked in shadow, pushed forwards, but Cato reached outwards. He grabbed the Calistan by the neck, and pushed him into the rocky wall, groaning as he fell to the ground. Another ranger glowed blue, forcing a blast of magical energy at the robot, sending him flying backwards. Luisante yelled as he charged forwards meeting the ranger's dual blades with his silver sword, barely glinting in the dim light. The shrill screech of metal reverberated in Kad's head as Luisante's crew charged into the fray. Naika took Bimi's arm, calling to Kad, as the footsteps of the climbing guards grew closer. Children screamed, and Kad held his blade tight.

  One more fight. Are we ready?

  His teeth began to twitch.

  “Push forwards!” Luisante shouted, pulling his blade out of his enemy's ribcage.

  The refugees hurried, Luisante's group grabbed a sword each or whatever rock they could find, and began to overwhelm the few rangers ahead of them, but the majority of the force were marching towards Kad, who sank his feet into the rocks. The sound of whistling wind was nearby.

  “Kad, don't just stand there-run!” Naika shouted.

  Kad felt the first guard sprinting up a slope, approaching fast, his sweat mingled with fury. Before the Calistan could see him, Kad had already opened his jaws, feasting on the guard's opulent energy, though this time, it was not nourishing. The guard yelled as he fell to his knees, and Kad almost did too. The feast was burnign him from within, from his second throat, through to his veins. He growled as he tore away from the guard, who shook his head, stunned and surprised. The guard staggered to his feet, pole-axe charging forwards. Kad heard the blade cutting through the air, could smell the strange metal.

  His blade met the point of the pole-axe, but a tremor shook his arm. He was only strong enough to deflect it, but the guard was all but blind here. He urged his body forwards, dodging past the bulk of the guard, and with all of his strength, sent his blade downwards with both hands. Both arms juddered as his body was sprayed with a stinking, hot liquid, as the scimitar severed cloth and flesh, sinking into bone. The Calistan screamed, the pole-axe falling from his hands, but Kad could not retrieve his blade. It was stuck between a rib, and the boots of the other warriors were closing in on him. With a final push, he shoved at the bleeding Calistan, who slid away from his weeping blade.

  One down.

  His body began to shake, exhaustion drenching him. There were at least twenty guards closing in on him.

  “Behind!” Shouted a voice.

  Quick as a viper, the silver-sword whirled behind Kad, meeting a pole-axe that had been thrown all too quickly. The Vulpine warrior clashed with the spears, a hand roughly grabbing Kad by the cloak threw him forwards. The tunnel was too narrow for any more than three Calistan at a time, yet after one was felled, another quickly took his place.

  Ahead of them, the High-Eve woman tended to Cato, shaking the robot lightly. Cato's eyes shone bright again.

  “Hello.” He chirped. “I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I am designated-”

  “Where is the exit, robot?!” She screamed.

  “I'm afraid I do not know.”

  The children screamed as the fighting raged within the tight confines.

  “Poppo, what can we do?” Naika shouted.

  “Stand back, muymum.” Bimi said wearily.

  Kad staggered backwards, as if in a dream. He swayed, threatening to fall, but soft hands caught him.

  “I can hear the wind.” He whispered.

  “Where?” Naika pleaded, cradling him tighter.

  “Behind us.” He said, almost drifting into sleep.

  “Poppo! There's wind nearby, we must be close to an exit!”

  “I know, muymum.”

  Bimi stepped forwards with shaking legs, but his chest and shoulders were powerful. In amidst the chaos, many did not see him there, but he waited until one of the fighters disengaged, and opened his jaws. The Calistan buckled as Bimi fed greedily, but Luisante was spurred into action. His sword sank into the heart of the suffering warrior, and Bimi was jerked backwards abruptly.

  “Hafashgna, I need to drain more energy if we are to escape!” He snarled angrily at the Fox.

  “What?” Luis shouted over the clamour, unable to hear.

  “I said-” Bimi said, louder. “Don't kill them if I'm draining them, or we will-”

  A shrill war-cry cut the old man's moaning short, a spear was plunged towards him.

  “Look out!” Luisante yelled.

  Kad and Naika watched as Luis shoved the old Consumer out of the way, but the spear was quick. Luisante howled in agony as the thick blade punctured his thigh. The Calistan shouted as he hurriedly withdrew the spear, leaving a torn rag of flash where his Vastus Lateralis muscle once was. Before the spear could be thrown again, Bimi unleashed his jaws on the attacker. The Calistan groaned as the teeth bit into his flesh, through his leather armour, blood spilling through the teeth. Bimi pulsated with pleasure as he drank from the source. Kad could feel him grow, could feel an almost malevolent ecstasy flourishing within the old Consumer. The guard fell, completely drained, lifeless in a tunnel of death and eternal stone. Luisante limped backwards as his comrades tried to form a wall against the still coursing stream of vengeful warriors, but Bimi walked calmly behind them, wiping the excess blood away from his mouth.

  “Stand back.” He said calmly.

  Naika pushed Kad to his feet, as Bimi once more drew the siphoned energy to his fingers. With a quick flourish, the energy blasted from him, towards the back wall where the tunnel apparently ended. Shrill screams rang out as the children buried themselves under their parent's arms. The rock exploded, a thick cloud of dust and broken stone were propelled backwards, but soon gave-way to light and air.

  “Go, out, out!” Luisante yelled, struggling to the arm of the Gorrilon.

  Kad grabbed Naika and urged her forwards, out to the exit. The light was blinding for those not bound to the darkness, and the Gorrillon slammed his head hard on a creeping stalactite. He stumbled, still gripping onto Luisante fiercely, but it was enough to slow him down. A spear jutted through his back and out through his chest, raining blood over the escape route. Luisante fell as the blade was pulled backwards, and more spears were thrown into the Gorillon who yelled as he died.

  Luisante held his blade defiantly, but could not stand. Twelve spears ran through the dark cloud of dust, and only Kad waited behind.

  Clack.

  He leapt forwards, slicing a pole-axe in half, urging his burned muscles into action, slicing at a Calistan warrior. Another came, but Kad was faster than any foe this warrior had fought before, even with his muscles turned to cinders. Another pole-axe broken, another slice across the stomach and chest. A third Calistan came at him bravely, and died similarly. The fought and fifth began to hesitate, when Kad turned to Luisante, offering him his hand.

  “I didn't spare your life just for you to die so quickly, Fox.” He said with a crooked smile.

  Luis's eyes gleamed golden in the new daylight. Outside, the others had reached the gap in the mountain. The wind was chorusing, the birds were singing.

  “Maybe if you did, I wouldn't be missing half of my leg.”

  Weakly he reached for Kad's hand as the Calistan gathered themselves, lunging at the two enemy's. Kad gripped his wrist tightly, groaning as he pulled up the bloody Fox. The two braced themselves, held together in mingled blood, sword in each free hand, and met the furious blows. Kad held tightly, supporting Luis's weakened leg, the two warriors still elegantly deflecting the attacks. Kad felled his foe first, and as Luis struggled, Kad sliced at the other spear-men, and Luisante sank his blade into the chest. By now, piles of bodies littered the tunnels, slowing the advance of the soldiers. One of Luis's men called for him, and the Vulpine hobbled towards them, but Kad knew he had to stem the flow.

  This is going to hurt, isn't it?

  Summoning the burning energy within him, he harkened to before. The surge of power was unlike anything he had felt before. It was agony within his veins, but it was an exhilarating storm within him. Pure, concentrated power. He sent it through his body, breathing deeply, feeling it well up at the bottom of his second mouth again. The next wave of warriors had stumbled over bodies, and were now closing in on him. Naika called to him, but there was only the sound fo buzzing electricity within his ears. From within his open jaws, the power propelled itself as a single, blinding beam of light. He roared as it flowed through his body, frying his nerves and every molecule within him. The energy beam cut through the ceiling, sending jagged blades of rock and stalactite hurtling onto the floor. More dust and shrapnel shards erupted as the energy began to fade before finally ceasing, and Kad was brought back to his shaky reality in front of a wall of rock.

  Hands grabbed him, one soft and warm, the others metallic and cold, dragging him into the light.

  ***

  The survivors hurried down the side of the mountain, and into the forest. Inside, the mountain was buzzing, the hornets’ nest was well and truly kicked. Kad was a corpse walking, propelled by a basic instinctive desire to flee. The world of forests, beasts and birds was kaleidoscopic. The descent was perilous, but the threat was dire. Naika took turns helping Bimi and Kad down the sloping mountain adorned with tufts of brambles and wild flowers. Soon, she was helping the children and even the wounded Luisante, who would only reluctantly receive help from anyone.

  It was she who followed the smell of the stream, of a long abandoned camp-fire, and the settlers personal affects. They reached the stone sentinels and the small stream just as dusk began to blossom. The insects came out in force, clouds of gnats by discarded lumps of food. As their tired feet stomped wearily to the haven of grass, a small deer fled, her head buried into one of the discarded bags. The survivors threw themselves down onto the grass with relief, but Naika remained still.

  “We can’t rest here.” She said sternly. “They know of this camp, it’s too close to them. We should take what we can and move somewhere safer.”

  The complaints were quickly stifled as the sounds of running warriors in tunnels became louder and angrier. Luisante’s leg was bandaged up roughly, and the survivors hurried northwards, leaving a clumsy trail behind them. The evening grew cooler, the wind flaring up as they passed through rocky hills and blanketed canopies. Just as the grey evening began to die, the survivors stopped by a long hill beneath a tall oak. Naika would have preferred to kept on going, but the stragglers were unable to push any further. Besides, the traces of their enemies had faded away, left behind in the mountains of the green jaw.

  There was no fire that night.

  Kad had fallen asleep as soon as his body hit the grass. His body was burned from within, every cell carried a scar that itched, and his dreams were black. A weight had been placed inside of his chest, pressing every muscle into the dirt. He was enveloped by the darkness, but something kept trying to stir his body. He resisted, but there was a tapping over his body; across his forehead and the back of his hands. He awoke reluctantly to strands of grass tickling his nostrils, blobs of drool pooling at one side of his mouth. His palms were muddy, and the cold air pricked at every exposed part of skin.

  Soft, silver droplets of rain were dropping onto him in the silent blackness. He groaned as he returned to this world, his body unable to move. He was flattened, crushed by his own weight. A heavy blanket had been painfully draped over his limbs, one he was unable to shift. There was a numbness to his fingers and toes, but perhaps not from the cold. The stars were hidden, with only the dim pink glow of the moon, Hamara, illuminating from within the grey veil. There was a fierce buzzing in his ears, a harrowing distortion of the world drowned out from all but white noise.

  He tried to push himself up, but his body could not be moved, he heard a whisper, but from words that could not be heard. There was a shifting sound beside him, but he was in too much pain to panic. Quick, soft hands grabbed his clothes gently, easing him upwards.

  “Easy, easy now.” Naika whispered to him.

  At first he resisted, confused, but Naika helped him sit up, reclining on his hands until pain shot through them. He winced as Naika propped up some bags for him to lean against.

  “Naika?” He rasped.

  “I'm here.”

  “Where...what?”

  “It's alright.” She soothed. “You got us this far, I'll look after you now.”

  “My body...I can barely move...”

  “It's okay. Get some sleep. It's still a few hours till dawn, I think.”

  “What if...but what if they come back when I'm asleep?”

  “Then I'll stay up. All night if I can.”

  “I can stay up with you.”

  Kad could feel her smile in the cool night. With trembling fingers, he reached up and gently brushed her cheek.

  “You've done enough, Kad.” She said sweetly.

  “It wasn't me who got us through those caves.” He said, unaware if this was a dream or not.

  She held him tightly, and he slept soundly in her arms.

  ***

  He awoke to howls of pain from Luisante, who struggled under his makeshift bandages. The weak and weary survivors pulled themselves up, gathering their meagre supplies, stomachs growling angrily. It was Bimi who noticed Kad rousing himself, and offered some gentle help.

  “Easy, pushta.” He said calmly. “You must be in a lot of pain.”

  Kad grimaced, trying to transform it into a smile.

  “That's an understatement.” He said weakly.

  Slowly, Bimi pulled Kad up into a seated position.

  “I don't know what happened, Bimi.”

  The old Consumer watched him with concern, feeling the agony that still clung to Kad's arteries. Kad shook his head slowly, realisation coming to him at a glacial pace.

  “Was this what you are talking about? The old arts?”

  Bimi nodded carefully.

  “Our people, we consume another's life-force to sustain ourselves, you know this, I know, but there is more. With careful practise, instead of feeding on the energy, we can turn our bodies into conduits for the energy, Kad. Though, there is a right way to do it. It is a forgotten art, for we are forbidden to feed legally in Peridios, so energy cannot be spared, though mostly, it has been forbidden because of the risks that are inherent with it being performed incorrectly.”

  Clack.

  “I did it incorrectly, I'm guessing.”

  “You did it out of desperation, pushta.” Bimi said sagely. “Yet you were unprepared. Having such an amount course through your body will most likely have left some damage behind. I would imagine you have some nerve damage, Kad. It will not be so easy to heal.”

  Kad bowed his head, every slight movement bringing a cavalcade of pain.

  “I will teach you how to do it properly, pushta. If not only for preservation, yet now I see, it may be a matter of life and death for you and those who follow me.”

  Kad laughed darkly.

  “I think the only people likely to follow me will be on the trail for my bounty.”

  “Perhaps.” Bimi said, nodding gravely.

  “Then you know, I can't stay in one place for long.”

  Bimi turned his head, feeling the sensations around him, and Kad shared in them. Naika was among them, helping the children to their shaky feet, the poor things well and truly thrown through the ringer in the last few nights. She smiled bravely, one hand scratching at the scarring where her ear once was, as the youngest daughter clung to her waist. She laughed, a bright breeze in the unknown reaches of the world.

  “It is always your choice, Kad. Live a long life of running, or a short life of peace and love. Our time together has been brief and fraught with peril, let me and my muymum share some time of joy and stillness with you. Let us see the man who you really are.”

  Show them. Show them who you are.

  Kad swayed, deflated. With a smile, Bimi stood up with creaking legs and an aching back. He offered his hand to Kad, who accepted.

  ***

  Cato led the party north-east, propelled by instruction from Luisante, who hobbled in the back. The group was ragged and filthy, but hope proved to be a powerful propulsion device. The group finally set sights on the canyon a short while after noon. They saw the huddled scattering of huts from on top of a hill, and the very sight drew gasps from those who could gaze upon it for the first time.

  Under the gaze of a lazy, green mountain, onwards did the rolling green hills stretch. Gentle Stream was small compared to anything any denizen of New Peridios could fathom, even the busy, humid patches of grass and mud the settlers of Promise Coast called their own. Over a dozen wooden huts had been erected from the forests nearby, and in the very centre, was the eponymous stream, only a few feet wide, slowly descending downwards over piles of rocks and culminating in several small pools. Those that remained in the hamlet began to wave as they saw the battered group of travellers, and marched towards them to meet them halfway.

  “We made it.” Naika breathed happily.

  She grabbed Bimi and embraced him happily, and the two laughed in absolute joy. She released him, smiling at Kad, who hesitated moving towards her. Quickly, she grabbed him, hugging him closely.

  “Thank you.” She whispered into his ear.

  “I keep telling you.” Kad said, feeling the awkward rush of heat to his face. “You brought us here, not me.”

  The various peoples of various races gladly embraced those who set off over a week ago, quickly turning to dismay when they realised so few of their comrades had returned. Luisante limped towards them, many hands clasping him, asking too many questions to answer. Luisante could only turn a slow glare towards Kad Ekisziku, the one responsible for much of their absences.

  You can't stay here, Kad. They will never forgive you. Every-time they look at you, they will be reminded. They will be reminded of what you did, who you took away from them.

  Kad shifted uncomfortably. He stopped behind Naika and Bimi, his scimitar hanging close to his side.

  “Come on, Kad.” Naika called, not letting the realisation hit her voice.

  Clack.

  “You made it here. Your new home.” He said sullenly. “I can't stay here, Naika. You know that.”

  Bimi sighed, while Naika bristled angrily.

  “Are we really having this conversation again, Kad. Where else will you go?”

  Kad could only shrug.

  “I can't.” He said emptily, trying not tot imagine the life he could have, the family he could be with. “Maybe some day I can visit. I know I'll see you both again.”

  Naika clenched her fists and began stomping angrily towards him, but Bimi grabbed her wrist, anchoring her back onto the ground where they stood.

  “This is his decision, muymum.” Bimi said softly. “A man must walk his own path. All we can do, is point one way or the other.”

  The sound of metallic feet bounded behind them as the black robot reached the Consumers.

  “This is the place you spoke of, Bimi Enkovu.” He said in his eternally chirpy tone. “Where to next?”

  He looked expectantly at Kad.

  “There is no next for us, Cato.” Bimi said happily. “This place was always the goal. A new home.”

  “But...what will I do?” The robot asked.

  “That is up to you to decide, pushta.”

  “I am a scouting unit. What will I do if there is nothing to scout?”

  “These people need help, Cato.” Naika said. “They could use someone like you, to help them start a new settlement.”

  “My energy levels...I do not know how long they will last without an energy source.”

  “Leave that to me, pushta.” Bimi said with a smile. “I have an idea that may work.”

  “Very well.” Cato said finally. “Although I must admit, I do not know how staying in a place so...rustic, will help me become a space-ship.”

  “With patience, any dream can come true, Cato.” Bimi said, placing a hand on his new friend's cold arm.

  Cato looked at the hand, then at Bimi, puzzled, then at Kad.

  “Will you be staying here too, Kad Ekisziku?”

  “No, he won't be.” Came an angry growl from behind them.

  Supported by a small log, Luisante clomped over towards them, flanked by an entourage of Gentle Stream inhabitants, all focusing on Kad with angry stares. Kad clasped the scabbard tighter.

  “I think it's time you left, Consumer.” He barked.

  “Wait a second.” Naika said, blocking Kad with her body. “Kad helped us get here, he's the only we-and you-survived in the mountains.”

  “That doesn't make up for what he did.” Luisante snarled. “You really think I'd want him to save my life but take my brother's?”

  “If he had let your brother, and the rest of your people, kill him, then we would have been captured by those Calistico people anyway, and we would all be slaves.”

  “You don't know that, Cosumey.” He snarled, spit flaring out of his mouth.

  Kad could feel the general unease of the population, many of whom had never seen Consumers without head-wraps before. So much anger and distrust poured out of these strangers, it almost made him feel like he was back at home again.

  “Alright.” Kad said finally, releasing his grip. “I'll leave, but please, these are good people who have travelled far and endured more than you can imagine. Let them stay. They won't hurt you like I did.”

  Distrustful mutterings coursed through the pack of settlers, when a light voice popped up behind them.

  “Naika!” The half-Evean, half-Dvergr girl cried. “You can't leave!”

  She ran over to Naika, hugging her sweetly again, her parents appearing behind them.

  “It's true.” The tired Evean mother said. “Without them, we would have been....well, I don't want to think about what would have happened...”

  The Silver-Dvergr scratched at his beard.

  “They saved us, alright.” He mumbled wearily.

  “From those weird guys, too.” The Lupine woman said, throwing an apologetic glance at Luisante. “Those Calipso guys, or whatever they were called. We wouldn't have made it back here without any of them.”

  “They still lead them right to us.” Luisante growled indignantly.

  “Whatever has happened, has led us here, pushta.” Bimi said softly, and the whispers of discontent began to fade. “All of us have made mistakes, some graver than others.”

  Kad let his head droop, feeling something stir in his chest that had previously been absent his entire life, but something he realised he had always yearned for.

  “All that matters now is how we learn from the mistakes, how we help others to heal from the damage we have made. Blame will only cause more damage to be dealt.”

  Luisante snarled, and Kad remained silent.

  “What is more, Luis, is that you are injured.” Bimi continued. “You need time to rest, and what Gentle Stream will need as you heal, is a protector, a gifted fighter from the dangers and unknown terrors these lands hold.”

  The group murmured, watching with agreement as Luisante's anger flared, then died again. They watched as he battled internally, and suddenly relented.

  “If he stays.” Luis muttered under his breath. “I don't want him near me. I don't want to talk to him, or look at him. I can't. I will only see Len.”

  Kad swallowed hard, his mouth exceedingly dry.

  “Kad will stay with us.” Bimi said. “We will each do our part to help as best we can. We had heard Gentle Stream is a place for all, to start anew. We will hold to that, each of us.”

  Luisante hissed with displeasure, or perhaps it was pain.

  “Fine.”

  Bimi chuckled with delight as the group began to disperse. The young girl tugged on Naika's arm, who promised to follow her soon. The two looked at Kad, who hung his head.

  “I will go on ahead, Naika. Tonight will be a good night to rest.”

  Slowly, he hobbled to the rest, as only Kad and Nika remained.

  We can't stay here. We can't stay here. We can't stay here.

  Kad was immobilsed. The prospect of staying still, above ground...it was all too much to comprehend.

  Leave, Kad! LEAVE!

  Slowly, Naika's fingers touched his, gently taking his hand as she stepped closer to him. Kad could feel her heartbeat hammering in her chest. His lips were so dry, he couldn't even click his tongue. The two stood there in the afternoon light, the gentle stretch of sun warmly them softly as clouds drifted by slowly, watching them in silence.

  “What if...” Kad tried to say, but the words were iron.

  “It's okay.”

  “What if I'm not...” He tried again, pain and confusion gripping at his temples.

  She leaned in closer. He tried to open his lips again, but they were obstructed by hers. He gripped her tightly as she pressed closer to him. His body became electricity as the two intertwined.

  Stay.

  After a century that went too quickly, she pulled her mouth away from his, and the two smiled. Their foreheads touched gently, as they stood together by their new home. He tried to formulate his words, to express every doubt he had about himself, but they were silenced before they could even be recognised. She gently put her hand on his cheek.

  “Show us the person you really are, Kad.” She said softly.

  ***

  Through dark tunnels she was dragged by her unseen captor. Her boots were almost worn down, scratches and cuts covered her arms and legs as she wept in these foreign captors. She sobbed and pleaded with the hooded man who dragged her ceaselessly, away from unseen eyes and the strange folk who dwelled within the mountains.

  “Please, stop!” Ular Spider-Scar wailed.

  The figure in the cloak grunted at her. He had a strange smell to him, similar to those who watched and gawked as she was paraded through the streets by the Capitan and his rangers. His cloak was similar to what they wore, but thicker, patchier.

  Oh sweet Raca, what I wouldn't do to turn back time, change things so we could be together again...

  Her tears were constant, for her fallen love, twisted and corrupted by the very spirit that brought her here. Her tusks ground against the bottom teeth below, her mouth was full of blood, her angry eyes reflected distorted shadows. She thought of the voice she had heard in the convent, in the secret room where the urn had been stored for millennia. How it called to her in a sickly sweet voice, barely able to discern her words. Its treacle-laden promises trapping her within her own desires. The thoughts of the house of Voss Nova burning, the hands that hurt her, penetrating her soul and body calling out in agony as she ground them to ash.

  I just wanted to hurt those who hurt me, why must I always be the one in pain? Why?

  After a long and twisting passage, a cavern revealed itself, lit by a dull red glow and a soft humming.

  “What is this fresh hell?” She moaned.

  Her captor ignored her once more, but released her, throwing her forwards. She landed on her knees, a new pain in her already aching body.

  “Please, don't hurt me...I'm sorry for what I did...so sorry-”

  “Quiet.” The gravelly voice replied.

  Ular did as she was instructed, her choking breath mingled with sobs as the humming grew louder. All around her, shadows turned, revealing themselves as men and women in cloaks. Under their hoods, in the gentle smoulder of red candles, she saw they were the same as those that captured her and brought her under the mountain. They studied her with a strange mix of disgust and reverence. Ahead of them was an altar of sorts, a shrine where a dozen candles were burnt almost to their wicks. Strange patterns were etched into the altar, nothing she could recognise. It was of a strange, oily black material that glowed with infernal delight.

  “Please.” She pleaded. “I-i'll do anything you want, just don't...”

  Slowly the humming voices quietened. Her captor placed his hands within his sleeves and stood to the side, and the congregation waited. She wiped sticky black hair from her lilac forehead, her lips trembling as she heard footsteps behind her. They stopped, and her body began to quake.

  “Rise.” A noble voice said.

  She turned to look at him, cloaked like the others, Calistan in their strange patch-work clothes. He stepped in front of her, closing in on the altar. He took a candle, admiring its flame, and with a blue hand, pulled back his cloak. It revealed a man with the face of a young Eve, though pained by something. The shadows and light fought across his half-red, half-blue face as he starred at her with yellow eyes, revealing a patch of dark, shaven hair.

  “Thou are in no danger, here.” Capitan Tievs said.

  “Wha-what is this?” Ular said shakily, feeling her bowels constrict.

  The Capitan held the candle closer to her face, studying the scabs that had begun to form diagonally across her face, the blood still painted over her. He looked at her curiously, as if she had grown into more of a stranger. He pursed his lips, apparently confused, but his eyes were bright and focus, turning into flames in the dull light.

  “Thou heard the call too, no?” He asked, his voice echoing in the small chamber. “The dark voice that summoned thou here.”

  “I don't...I don't know what you're...thou are talking...talking about...” She said in a desperate gambit.

  “Thou are afraid.” He said solemnly. “As thou should be. Thou came here with a power thou did not understand, and it's culmination was...”

  He shook his head, remembering the creature he had seen in the cavern of screams.

  “It-it wasn't me...it was Raca's idea, he said it was the only we could be...then, it was that blasted Consumer! His tainted blood! It ruined everything!”

  The Capitan watched her patiently, but shook his head.

  “The voice calls for many. Few can answer.”

  He stood tall again, bathing himself in shadow.

  “The call of the spider.”

  Ular gulped.

  “Are-are you going to...to...”

  Capitan Nievs crouched down again, and drew up his arm.

  “It was no coincidence the voice brought thou here.”

  On his blue wrist, etched in black ink, was the symbol of the spider, the same one on her own.

  “You?” She managed, disbelief rushing into her head faster than blood.

  Tievs nodded.

  “We here all answer the call. Like thou, we all followed the beliefs are foreth-fathers bestowed upon we, and all of us, were hurt by it. All of us, wish to see it burn'th to the ground.”

  Ular began to feel the pain dissipating. Suddenly the faces within shadows were no longed crooked, twisted monsters. They were of boys and girls, adults who never left the trauma of their pasts.

  “You...you were all hurt? How?” Ular asked, desperate to understand.

  The faces looked away, not wanting to be seen.

  “Please...tell me. The priests at Voss Nova....they....they touched me, since I was a child, they hurt me every day, told me I was weak and miserable. Everyday I punished myself for what they did to me, told myself I was a sinner and they were right for punishing me!”

  Ular felt the hot tears streaming down her face, her mouth closed and opened.

  “Until...until....”

  “Until thou heard the voice.” Tievs said with a soft understanding.

  Ular nodded, choking down another sob. Tievs leaned in closer.

  “They took something from me.” He said in a pained whisper. “My love.”

  Ular looked at him curiously as he contorted his face in pain. Before she could press him for more answers, he whipped himself back upwards and strode quickly to the altar. He placed his free hand on it, and as soon as he did, the humming of the cloaked followers started again, rising, a slow chant beginning to form. A pale blue glow emitted beneath his palm, and louder the cult began to chant. Ular stood up on shaking legs, and she saw the altar begin to open, the strange, tar-like stone sliding aside. Capitan Tievs placed the candle down, and looked towards Ular, who tried to peek into the void that laid within.

  “I propose to thou.” The Capitan said amidst the rising voices. “That you join our following.”

  He reached into the altar and grabbed something.

  “To what end?” She asked, trapped in a dream.

  “To destroy the system.” He called out. “To get back at those who took from us.”

  The Capitan pulled out a hefty, spherical object. There were engravings all along it, patterns, and symbols she recognised from her own sect . It was an urn.

  “Twas not destiny that brought thou here.” Capitan Tievs said triumphantly. “The voice that did so, lies here.”

  He held the urn aloft.

  “You...there is another...?”

  “But a piece of the puzzle.” The Capitan said, cradlign the urn like a child.

  The chanting voices began to lower and quieten, slowly staring to cease as Tievs walked closer.

  “What happened in the cavern to thy friends was a tragedy.” He said sadly. “It was a lesson.”

  Ular began to spill tears once more, past her tusks and through her grinding teeth.

  “It won't happen again.”

  “No.” Tievs said with a sad smile. “Together, we will seek the true power of the spider totem, and those who hurt us will pay dearly.”

  “Yes.” Ular sobbed. “Oh, Voss on high, yes!”

  The Capitan placed the urn back in its secret hiding place and smiled.

  “As it has been, so it shall be. No more.”