Rise of the Wolves

by J E Reed

Screams and battle cries filled the air. Black arrows rained down and clashed against her allies’ shields. Fire ignited in the grass close to the castle, catching a few of their allies in its grasp, yet those who could manipulate water put a quick end to its devastation.

  Their walls weren’t as thick or high as K.J.’s. It would fall soon enough.

  Kiuno took a step, but a passing solder clipped her arm and she stumbled forward. Reece grasped her elbow and pulled her to her feet.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded.

  “You’re planning something.”

  Had she always been that obvious to read?

  “Follow me.”

  Kiuno ducked between the men, running perpendicular to their ranks in any space she could find. Metal armor clashed so loud she couldn’t be certain Reece followed, but when she cleared the ranks, he was right behind.

  “What’s the plan?”

  Kiuno took a moment to catch her breath. “Their king wants the lightning user. I plan to deliver.”

  “Typical of you to be reckless.” She waited for him to tell her they should call for backup, but he only smirked. “What next?”

  “You said you can feel out the traps, right?” She pointed to the right side of the castle wall. “How far along the sides do they run?”

  Reece knelt and the seconds ticked by until he pointed. “They stop over there.”

  “Lead the way.”

  The two ran across the field, leaving the main part of the battle behind. At the wall, Reece wrapped his vines around her waist and carried them both to the top.

  Water slammed into her from the left, tossing her body to the ground as if she were nothing more than baggage. Kiuno struggled to catch herself, but Reece’s magic reacted faster than her body could. It curled around her torso and Reece turned to their enemy with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

  Four men stood ready, but Reece’s vines shot through their bodies like butter, silencing them before they could alert their comrades.

  He took a breath before turning to her. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded, glanced at the men, then surveyed the ground below. It was a ghost town.

  Reece lowered them down and they crept passed the empty houses. No resident occupied the area.

  Her skin crawled, thought it wasn’t from fear.

  She wanted this fight.

  K.J. wasn’t sure if revenge would ease her pain and the logical side of her knew it wouldn’t, but with the king so close, Kiuno couldn’t help but crave blood.

  She wanted to feel his life ebb away in her hands. To watch his eyes alight with fear when he realized everything was over. She wanted this death to be on her hands.

  Kiuno glanced at Reece as he peered around another corner. He ushered her forward and the two ran through the castle gate. No one tried to stop them.

  She wasn’t new to risks. In fact, she’d taken more than her fair share of them. Each time she’d been scolded, called reckless.

  But Reece was different. He didn’t question her movements. He didn’t hold her back. Either that made them both stupid or he had more faith in her abilities than she did.

  They snuck through the quiet corridor and paused at a pair of closed doors. She glanced at Reece and he took a step back.

  Kiuno took a breath, summoned her fire, and blasted the door open. She tugged the flames tight around her body, anticipating an onslaught, but the hall sat empty.

  Kiuno crept forward, eyes scanning the overlook that stood fifteen feet above. It circled the main floor of the hall. Marble columns held up the top floor and she stepped between them, wary of the overlook. An empty chair, or throne as this person would likely call it, stood at the back of the room.

  “Who’s there?” A woman’s voice called from behind the chair. She stepped into the light, tall and elegant, dressed in a dark blue gown that hung to the floor. Embroidery stretched from top to bottom in a floral-like pattern with beads sewn into the fabric. The finest piece of clothing Kiuno had seen since coming here.

  Reece chuckled and took a step forward. “I guess having them call you king can have its benefits, but I still have to ask. Why bother?”

  Her devious smile caused Kiuno’s blood to rage.

  “I have my reasons. Are you the one attacking my castle?”

  “You attacked first,” Kiuno accused. “Twice.”

  “I commanded nothing of the sort, they acted against my will.” She sighed and placed her fingers on her head as if she were tired. “It’s so difficult to contain people in this land, don’t you agree?”

  Reece adjusted his sword. “The cliff wasn’t your idea?”

  “Goodness no, they informed me after the fact. I couldn’t believe what they’d done and then to attack your castle on top of it?” She shook her head. “It seems this world affects everyone differently.”

  Kiuno’s body shook, her fists clenching and unclenching. “The least you could do is have the decency to admit it. Do you think we’re stupid enough to believe you lost control of your own men? You wouldn’t have survived this long if that were the case.”

  The woman stood silent then a taunting smile twisted her thin lips. “This is why I prefer dealing with men. They don’t ask nearly as many questions.”

  “Perhaps you’ve just surrounded yourself with stupid ones.”

  She wrapped long fingers around a slender sword that rested on the chair. It scraped across the stone floor as she took a few steps forward.

  “I suppose that’s a possibility, though having a certain charm works with most any man.” She took another look at Kiuno, her eyes trailing down her form. “I guess you wouldn’t know anything about that seeing as you like to dress like the common dogs.”

  “Maybe some of us aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty.”

  She laughed, the sound setting Kiuno’s teeth on edge. “Oh, getting my hands dirty was never an issue. It’s much easier to convince another to handle the heavy lifting.”

  The woman raised her free hand, the fingers carelessly limp and Kiuno followed it to find archers lining both balconies, their bows pulled tight. “I might consider dropping your weapons.”

  Kiuno glared at her. “You wanted the lightning user, did you not?”

  Curiosity piqued in the woman’s gaze and she raised a brow. “Are you that individual?”

  “Perhaps.”

  “Show me.”

  “Gladly.”

  Reece took a step back and Kiuno let the sparks dance across her fingertips. The woman commanded the archers to stand down with a flick of her wrist.

  She smirked. “I suppose even dogs can be useful.”

  “I find it amusing that you think I’d do anything for you.”

  Her smile faded. “I have your life in my hands. I can’t imagine you’d be stupid enough not to notice.”

  Kiuno looked back at Reece who nodded and large trunks sprang from the stone. They intertwined and knotted themselves together rendering the flying arrows harmless as they struck into the thick wood.

  Reece held his own against the archers, safely beneath a canopy of his creation. Vines crawled along the trunks like serpents seeking their prey, then flew toward the enemy. Some wound their way around bodies, strangling those in their grasp, while others struck through the gut.

  Many flailed, most died, and the rest retreated. Kiuno was certain they’d be pounding on the door soon with swords drawn and magic of their own. Soldiers weren’t likely to leave their leader defenseless.

  Sparks danced between Kiuno’s fingertips. It hummed, a far different sensation than the bolts she’d unleashed during battle. An electrical field seemed to crawl across her body and Kiuno’s hair stood on end in response.

  The woman snarled like a rabid dog and took a step back. She tightened her grip on the thin blade and drew it close.

  If she knew how to use it, then she’d have speed, but judging from the way her eyes darted back and forth…

  Kiuno lunged and the woma
n ducked beneath her blade. She stepped forward in an attempt to drive the thin steel up, but Kiuno spun to the side and the two faced off again, circling one another.

  Fear. She reeked of it.

  The woman waited for another attack, her eyes assessing Kiuno’s every muscle twitch. Kiuno lunged again and just as before the woman ducked. Instead of turning this time, Kiuno shot a jolt of electricity down her sword and the woman recoiled. Kiuno parried the thin blade then brought her own down upon the woman’s wrist.

  The woman fell to her knees with a blood curdling scream and the severed hand thudded to the floor.

  Pain, shock, and disbelief marred her pale, angular features.

  Adrenaline coursed through Kiuno’s body at the sight. This woman had caused her world to shatter. She’d been the one to take everything. She’d taken her life, her future, her love.

  Blood spread along the once beautiful dress as the woman hugged the stub against the fabric. She made a grab for her blade, but Kiuno kicked the sword away and stomped on her remaining hand. The so called ‘king’ moaned against the floor.

  Kiuno bent and the woman looked at her with tear stained cheeks.

  She pleaded.

  Kiuno grasped the woman’s intact hand and sent the electrical pulses crawling over her skin and through the woman’s body.

  She writhed, screamed, begged. Drool seeped from the sides of her mouth. Her eyes rolled back, but right before Kiuno thought she might pass out, she released her hold.

  The woman’s breath came in ragged gasps and she curled in on herself like an injured spider. A venomous creature that deserved punishment.

  ~~~

  REECE BARRED the door and kept one eye on the balcony to ensure no surprises would cause Kiuno harm. He glanced back to the door, but his head jerked around when the woman screamed.

  Lightning crawled across Kiuno’s skin, giving it a bluish hue. He expected the woman to die in seconds, but to his surprise, Kiuno released her.

  Grunts and shouts echoed from beyond the door and he summoned another trunk to reinforce it. The woman screamed again and the sound raced down Reece’s spine.

  Kiuno released the woman and she crumbled to the floor, her body convulsing.

  “What do you want?” She cried. “I’ll give you anything, please…”

  “I thought I was a dog?” Kiuno stepped over her. “Do you beg to dogs now?”

  “I’m sorry, please—”

  Kiuno took the woman’s wrist again, the lightning crawling along her arm in vengeance. Reece took a few steps forward, struggling to believe his eyes. She was enjoying this. Kiuno was enjoying the torture of another human being.

  Kiuno released the woman again.

  His mouth went dry.

  Kiuno usually turned away from blood and battle. She didn’t like gutting a deer, let alone torturing a human. She was kind and caring, almost in a motherly sense. Not this...

  Kiuno took the woman’s arm again and a smile crept to her face.

  He couldn’t stand it.

  Reece tugged on a vine from the trunk above and shot it straight through the woman’s heart. Her body went rigid and Kiuno’s anger turned toward him. He braced for her reaction.

  Neither moved until the door behind him shattered. Vines and wood caught fire as men burst through the door.

  Their eyes fell to the woman lying face down against the stone and several cried out in rage.

  Fire raced from Kiuno’s hand, forcing Reece to take a step to the side as heat wafted through the room. It engulfed half the men and more screams echoed through the hall. Those second in line barreled through their comrades, and Reece met their swords in a match to the death.

  Kiuno hacked through a man who charged him, and he covered her left side post swing. If she were angry with him, they’d sort the details later.

  Another burst of flames had those unharmed hesitating and Reece yelled above the clashing steel. “Your leader is dead. Lay down your weapons.”

  Several paused, while others continued. He drove his sword through another’s gut.

  “I said lay down your weapons,” he urged again.

  Kiuno grabbed another man and her lightning crawled through his body. It writhed and he screamed until death silenced him.

  Those remaining took a step back. A sword clattered to the floor. Another followed and then another until clanging steel resonated through the hall.

  Reece relaxed, but kept focus. “Which of you is the next in command?”

  Silence. Then a young man stepped forward. “I am.” If Reece could judge age, he seemed about the same as Kiuno’s friend Maltack. Eighteen. Nineteen.

  The young man knelt in the blood of his fallen companions with clenched fists and kept his gaze on Reece’s boots.

  Reece took a calming breath. “Understand why we’re here. Your leader made a poor decision that resulted in lives lost. I expect no further retribution in her name. I would rather not kill everyone in this castle.”

  “Speak for yourself,” Kiuno said.

  Reece glanced at her, wondering if she’d kill this lot just to spite him.

  “She was a tyrant,” the young man said. “Many of us didn’t have a choice in serving her.”

  “That tyrant is dead and as long as no one acts foolishly, you’ll be spared.” Hopefully. “Take a seat against the wall and keep your hands where I can see them.”

  They did as instructed. Most slumped against the stone in defeat. Thankfully none looked willing to give their lives for a lost cause.

  Reece glanced at them again, then took a few tentative steps toward Kiuno. “I’m sure those outside won’t be much longer.”

  Kiuno looked at the men and Reece still wondered if she would kill them.

  Neither moved then Kiuno let out a breath and stormed from the room without a word.

  ~~~

  WHAT AM I becoming?

  She didn’t regret it. Matter of fact, she’d enjoyed it and Kiuno wasn’t so sure she wanted to discover who she might be without Elite.

  The anger had dissipated, at least for now, but it left her cold and empty, much like the fireplace she’d left behind in their room.

  Kiuno stood at the top of the tower, overlooking the battlegrounds. It seemed Iggy had left the wall intact, but he’d blown the gatehouse apart and left its rocks scattered along the inside. Victory fires lined the plains as men celebrated their triumph.

  Those who’d yielded sat in a far corner with guards stationed on all sides. She remembered a time when their fates might have concerned her, but those thoughts didn’t plague her now. If Iggy killed them, so be it.

  The sun set on another day, the orange glow reflecting against white clouds. It left pink streaks across the sky, but she averted her gaze to look at the dull landscape.

  Kiuno glanced behind her as the door creaked open. Reece exited and settled himself against the stone, propping his elbows on the hard surface.

  He let out a long breath. “What now?”

  “I’m going to the sixth realm.”

  “K.J. told me.”

  Kiuno clicked her tongue. “Figures he can’t keep a secret.”

  “They’re just looking out for you. He didn’t want you running off by yourself.”

  “It wouldn’t help anyone if I did. It’s not as though I could map the area alone.”

  “We left a group of men with Cybele for that.”

  She looked at him, wondering what they’d said in her absence.

  “Everything has been arranged. Maltack and I will join you.”

  She gave him a half hearted smile. “You shouldn’t make yourself so predictable. I knew you’d come, but I expected a little resistance.”

  “You should know better.” His face turned serious and she looked away.

  “Are you sure Nsane wants the job of running this place?”

  “You mean without his overenthusiastic best friend to mess up his organized planning? Yeah, he’s good with it.”

  Kiuno s
miled and guilt crashed through her, constricting her lungs. For a few minutes she hadn’t thought of Elite or felt the pain of losing him. It was too soon to be forgetting. Too soon to allow herself to smile in his absence.

  The two stood on the balcony and eventually moved to sit as they watched the stars come out in the open sky. Kiuno thanked the heavens for Reece’s company. He didn’t push. He didn’t judge and his eyes didn’t carry the pity she’d seen in so many others. He was there and tonight his company was all she needed.

  34: Reece

  Realm: 5

  Day: 309

  The fire crackled at the center of their small gathering and Reece studied Kiuno through the flames. She sat like a statue with one knee drawn to her chest and chin resting upon it.

  Cybele had greeted them with open arms that afternoon and got them cleaned up and fed. He was grateful to the woman and even more so that she was willing to help them navigate the sixth realm.

  Several faces remained unknown. They’d exchanged greetings at dinner, but Reece hadn’t bothered to commit any of their names to memory. He was focused on Kiuno. Distracted some might say.

  But she was distracted too and with the coming dangers it would leave her vulnerable. Was this a suicide mission for her? Nothing left to live for so throw yourself to the nearest wolf?

  Reece huffed and shifted his attention to those in their circle. Their bracelets glowed a variety of colors in the firelight. K.J.’s scouting team. At least K.J. knew how to pick those capable of handling themselves. They’d traveled unknown terrain before. They knew their mission.

  But did Kiuno?

  She shifted and their eyes met, but before Reece could speak, she turned away.

  Reece scolded himself. Elite was gone. Kiuno was mourning, yet a piece of him wanted her to heal faster for his own selfish desires.

  Reece berated himself and leaned against his pack. He stretched his legs out and the action caught her attention. He paused, but she glanced away again, that same sullen expression marring her face.

  Jim’s voice drew Reece back to the present. “How are you guys getting down the cliff?”

  Cybele sat forward and crossed her legs. “The felinians will aid them, but be warned, they are prideful creatures.”