Monstar Saga: Exiled

by Eden Redd

  “They’re coming!” Durzol shouted as the moment for stealth was gone and swung his spiked hammer with extreme prejudice.

  Kavan and Drayke continued to toss fire potions. Pillars of smoking flames rose up as chaos bloomed. The stench of burning insect creatures billowed with the smoke as nearly the entire chamber was filled with fire.

  Through the flames and smoke, for a brief instant, the queen looked to the entrance. She spied the two dragonkin and orc before smoke washed over her.

  “Retreat!” Kavan shouted as he grabbed his spear and whipped it around.

  Drayke reached over his shoulder and drew his sword.

  Durzol roared as he knocked away grubs with wide swings. The buzzing sound of wings filled the corridor as the xykk drones and warriors flooded the corridor, blocking the intruder’s escape.

  “No mercy!” Kavan shouted as he leapt into the approaching wall of xykks.

  Kavan channeled a point of mana into his Body Sphere. His muscles glowed with power as the dragonkin crashed into the approaching horde.

  Bedlam erupted as Kavan’s spear moved with deadly accuracy. The mithril spearpoint stabbed into an armored head and exploded out of the back. Kavan’s body burned with strength and speed as he slammed the dying xykk into several others. Bodies crashed into each other as the dragonkin pulled back his spear and brought the sharp edge across in a wide arc. The mithril edge sliced easily through throats and faces. Eyes were cut across, foul ichor splashing into the air. Xykks lashed out with large clawed arms, aiming for the red dragonkin, when a sword and hammer entered the fray. Drayke moved like a dancer in a hurricane, each sword swing separating limbs from bodies. Boots stepped with dexterity among the grubs on the floor, with the occasional kick to a grub sending it into a xykk’s face or chest. The monsters caught the grubs before a spiked hammer caved in armored chests. Durzol moved like a green titan, swinging his spiked hammer into exo-skeletons and pulling it back in rapid succession. Foul, yellowish xykk blood spurted and splashed as the three intruders banded together and pushed back at the horde.

  Kavan stomped on grubs as his spear spun, sliced and stabbed at the xykk horde. Arms and legs continued to move, taking out xykks with each strike. The trio moved into the horde, barely making any progress as the arena behind them burned and smoke spilled out.

  “We have to get out of here!” Kavan shouted as smoke filled the area.

  Electrical energy arced along Drayke as he carved his way through the xykks. “I can clear a path,” the dragonkin shouted.

  The fighting grew into a frenzy. Durzol roared as his spiked hammer shattered armored heads with wide swings.

  Kavan’s spear swung and sliced, cutting open xykks as they rushed to their deaths. The dragonkin glanced over to Drayke as energy arced along his arms, shoulders and neck.

  Drayke’s eyes glowed with blue light as he sliced his way through the monsters. His eyes blazed brighter with power. The dragonkin took in a deep breath, reared back his head slightly and opened his maw wide. Energy arced and glowed before a thick lightning bolt blasted out. It streaked across the small distance, blasting a fist-sized hole through a xykk. The lightning bolt blasted through the xykk ranks, punching through armored bodies. The center of the filled corridor parted and a row of xykks collapsed into a mangled mess, smoke rising up from their bodies.

  The three warriors darted into a charge. Drayke led the way with Kavan behind him. Durzol was last, his spiked hammer continuing to swing as his large boots smashed fleeing grubs to wet, quivering mounds.

  Kavan watched as Drayke sliced at the xykks as they tried to regroup. He carved through them, limbs separating and heads flying through the air from bodies. Claws slashed and tried to grab the dragonkin, but were stopped by his expert skill.

  Heat bloomed within Kavan as he charged and moved his spear in stabbing strikes. His heart pumped like an engine and a glow touched his throat. His spear stabbed into a xykk head, exploding it into wet pieces. He pulled it back to strike another when a large clawed arm lashed out and slammed into him.

  Kavan was knocked to the side and xykks reached for him, ready to rip him to pieces. A spiked hammer arced down on a xykk watching Kavan, its head shattering into a pulpy mess. Durzol slammed his shoulder into another xykk, preventing him from landing a strike on Kavan as he regained his balance.

  Durzol was unchained, roaring like a monster from a storybook. His spiked hammer shattered armored chests as he was covered in xykk blood.

  Kavan regained his balance and his spear whipped around, the blade edge of the point slicing through xykks like an axe to a sapling.

  Kavan and Durzol fought side by side, smashing and stabbing xykks as the monsters tried to crowd around them.

  A praying mantis type of claw clamped on Durzol’s shoulder and the orc grunted. Kavan spun around and drove his spearpoint into the attacking xykk. It let go as smaller hands tried to keep its shattered head together, clear blood streaming through fingers.

  Kavan’s hand clamped on Durzol’s shoulder and pushed hard. “Get to the entrance!” the dragonkin shouted as his body blazed with heat.

  Durzol moved and swung his hammer with renewed vigor.

  Ahead of Kavan and Durzol, Drayke’s sword arm blurred as he sliced like a machine through the xykks. He took a step forward and a grub launched onto his leg. Its mouth opened in four directions before it bit down through leather to his thigh. The dragonkin grunted as he spun his sword and sliced across the grub’s back. The top of the creature slid away and clear blood spurted. The grub let go and fell as Drayke pushed forward with a slight limp

  Kavan glanced around, seeing more xykks spilling out from the side chambers. Some of the grubs on the floor were fleeing, but others crawled closer to take a bite out of fresh flesh.

  “Air quality is dropping from the smoke! If we don’t get out of here, we will be overcome and suffocate!”

  Kavan’s brow hardened as the fighting in the corridor took on a desperate edge.

  Fuck this!

  Kavan moved his half-spear behind him and into its sheath in one, smooth move. He channeled 2 points of mana into his fire sphere as claws stabbed out from his fingertips. Flames engulfed his hands, causing the attacking xykks to hesitate.

  Durzol saw the flaming claws and an evil grin filled his face.

  Heat poured from Kavan’s body as he darted into the horde of xykks with flaming claws.

  Xykks screeched as flaming claws cut through them. Large claws lashed out, only to burn and bleed. Kavan became unhinged, moving with rapid swipes and stabbing claws. Smoke curled along the corridor as the three warriors sliced and stomped their way through.

  “We are nearly to the entrance!” Drayke shouted when a claw stabbed into his left shoulder.

  The dragonkin grunted as he carved up the xykk that stabbed him and knocked the severed claw from his shoulder. Steamy blood leaked as the blue and black dragonkin continued to fight.

  A hazy, dreamy heat filled Kavan’s eyes as he swiped and clawed like a mad dragon. The sunlight at the end dungeon entrance beckoned to him like a moth to a flame.

  Durzol swung his spiked hammer with deadly force when a claw slashed across his thigh, cutting the leather covering it enough to separate. The orc grunted as blood flowed from the wound.

  Kavan heard Durzol’s grunt and glanced at him. The corridor was filled with xykk bodies and violence, but a group of them caught the scent of Durzol’s blood. A crazed chatter filled the corridor as they launched on the stumbling orc.

  Time stood still as fear filled Durzol’s eyes. He swung his hammer, shattering a xykk head but his bleeding leg slowed him down.

  “Run,” Durzol hissed to Kavan and turned to face his death.

  “No,” Kavan growled, turned and launched into the xykk bearing down on the orc.

  Durzol let out an exhale, ready to fight to save his friend, when Kavan blurred past him and into the fray with flaming claws.

  Durzol stumbled back, watching in awe
as Kavan’s body moved with defined purpose and violence.

  “YOU WILL NOT,” Kavan shouted as he sliced down a xykk with burning claws and hands.

  “HURT MY FRIENDS,” Kavan raged as he sliced hard across screeching xykks.

  “OR MY TOWN!” Kavan roared as he bent low and thrust his body and flaming hands into the horde of xykks.

  Screeches flooded the corridor as the nearly blazing hot dragonkin cut through them like a knife through butter.

  The glow in Kavan’s throat flashed hot. Instinct took over as the dragonkin steadied himself. He drew back a breath and flames filled his mouth. His eyes flashed red when his head shot forward and a fireball blasted out of his mouth.

  The fireball crossed the short distance and exploded against xykk bodies. Flaming exo-skeletons were blasted against walls and further back into the corridor.

  Unlocked natural ability, Fire Spit!

  Gained 1 degree in Fire Sphere! Fire Sphere is now 3rd degree.

  Gained 1 point of Mana.

  Kavan watched in astonishment as xykks were knocked back from the explosion, followed by falling shards of flames.

  Drayke reached the entrance and looked back to Kavan’s fireball blasting xykks to pieces. The dragonkin gave a nod of approval.

  Durzol limped as he tried to make for the entrance. A small horde of grubs rushed him in a blink. Some of them launched onto his legs and bit into him. The orc cried out as bits of flesh were ripped from his legs. A green hand grabbed a grub and threw it at a wall, the little monster exploding against it.

  Flaming hands grabbed at the grubs and pulled them away as they burned. Screeches echoed as Kavan burned them off and tossed their charred bodies. Durzol let out a whimper as he found it difficult to stand. Kavan extinguished the flames on his hands and grabbed the orc. With an arm over his shoulder, Kavan helped Durzol move to the entrance.

  Screeches filled the corridor behind them as xykks regrouped and advanced.

  “Get out of here,” Durzol grunted to Kavan.

  “Not without you,” Kavan said as they moved slowly to the entrance.

  Drayke looked down the tunnel to dozens of xykks rushing toward them. “More incoming!” the dragonkin shouted.

  “It doesn’t matter if it's daylight outside. They’re going to keep following us until we’re dead,” Durzol grunted through the pain.

  Kavan spied the pillars on the inner part of the dungeon entrance. He grabbed Durzol’s spiked hammer from him.

  “I need you to get outside on your own. Can you do that?” Kavan asked with urgency.

  “I think I can,” Durzol said through the pain.

  Kavan picked up the orc’s arm from his shoulders and gave him a push. Durzol’s eyes widened as he stumbled forward. Drayke rushed to the orc and caught him at the bottom of the small set of stairs. The two of them looked back as Kavan turned and faced the incoming horde of xykks.

  “Kavan?” Drayke shouted.

  “Get outside!” Kavan shouted over his shoulder as he grabbed two fire potions from his satchel.

  Xykks screeched as the corridor flooded with them. They charged as one toward the dragonkin.

  Kavan lifted his arm sideways and threw the two potions. The vials spun before they struck the stone floor and fire bloomed. The horde of xykks crashed into the burning flames. Grubs on the ground exploded into wet messes as xykks writhed in the flames.

  Kavan turned and rushed to the entrance. “I said get out!” he shouted at Drayke and Durzol.

  The pair turned and made their way up the stairs.

  Kavan looked to the ceiling and moved his gaze to a standing pillar.

  The dragonkin channeled a point of mana into his Body Sphere and his muscles once again glowed with power.

  Kavan Cynder

  Species: Dragonkin

  Health: Hurt

  Mana: 3/8

  Lifting Durzol’s spiked hammer, the dragonkin threw his arms and shoulders into a swing. The spiked hammer penetrated stone and cracked it. Kavan pulled back and did it again, making heavy, powerful swings against the pillar. It cracked more and more until it shattered.

  Body heaving, Kavan turned to the other pillar. He lifted the spiked hammer and brought it hard across into the ancient stone.

  Drayke helped Durzol out of the dungeon. The dragonkin reached into his satchel and pulled out a healing potion. He popped the cork and handed it to the orc. Durzol took it and guzzled its contents as they limped further and further away from the dungeon entrance.

  Inside the entrance, Kavan roared as he slammed the hammer into the second pillar. Anguished cries of the xykks began to dim and he could hear them charging through the flames to reach him.

  This has to work!

  Kavan slammed the hammer into the second pillar and it shattered. Kavan readied to dart out of the dungeon when he noticed the low ceiling didn’t cave in. Cracks ran along it and surrounding walls, but it did not collapse.

  “Shit!” Kavan cursed as he kept his attention on the ceiling.

  The dragonkin calmed his heart and body. He reared back the hammer and swung it upwards to the ceiling. It slammed into it, cracking it further. Kavan swung it again and again, the cracks spreading out from each strike.

  If we’re buried, at least the town will be safe.

  Burnt xykks charged down the corridor, their unblinking eyes on the lone dragonkin.

  Kavan let out another roar as he swung the warhammer up. It struck so hard, dirt and debris fell through cracks. The dragonkin took a step forward when the entrance collapsed.

  Cascading rocks and dirt crashed down, Kavan pushing through it. The dragonkin growled as he summoned every drop of will and power to keep going. Rocks smashed his horned head. Scales were chipped off from sharp rocks. Blood spilled as the dragonkin roared for his freedom.

  Drayke and Durzol watched as the dungeon entrance collapsed. Drayke stood up and took a step toward the falling entrance, ready to dig Kavan out when a plume of dust shot into the air.

  A haggard figure pushed away heavy stones and stood up. Dirt, blood, and ruined leather armor covered Kavan’s body as he pulled himself out of the debris. He took several steps, weaving on his feet.

  Gained 1 degree in the Body Sphere! Body Sphere is now 2nd degree.

  Gained 1 point of mana.

  Kavan smiled to himself as he fell to his knees.

  Drayke limped over, a healing potion in his hand.

  Durzol lifted a meaty fist into the air as he sat on the ground.

  “We did it!” the orc cheered as warm sunlight bathed the heroes in morning light.

  Twenty Two

  Three figures moved through the Misty Forest. Drayke led the way, about thirty feet ahead of Kavan and Durzol. Sunlight beamed through the forest canopy, shafts of light illuminating the way. The small breeze caused leaves and branches to move and wave, causing the very forest to writhe like a living creature from ancient myth and legend.

  Durzol’s meaty arm was over Kavan’s shoulders. The dragonkin helped the orc walk and they kept a medium pace. The grub bites on the orc’s legs had not completely healed, despite using the remainder of their healing potions. Durzol found it hard to walk and Kavan helped him along without being asked.

  The pair moved through the brush and along the small, almost unseen path. Kavan looked ahead to Drayke. The dragonkin’s back was to them as he walked. The blue and black scaled dragonkin looked from side to side on occasion, but he moved at a relaxed pace, with seemingly not a care in the world.

  Kavan glanced over to Durzol as he made a small grunt as they walked along.

  “What happened back there, in the dungeon?” Kavan asked in a low tone.

  Durzol looked ahead and closed his eyes for a moment. He then turned and looked Kavan in the eyes.

  “I thought we weren’t going to make it. I knew someone had to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. In orc culture, it is one of the highest honors one can perform for their community. It kept our people a
live, despite the other races' best efforts to exterminate us.”

  The orc looked down. “When the kobolds attacked Moonvale, I engaged them. So many people in town were scared. I tried to stop them, knowing if I gave my life for the community, I would have done a great service for the people I care about.

  “The moment was washed away when I was stabbed in the leg by a sneaky kobold. I slew him, but couldn’t stand up to fight the others. I went from protecting our community to too injured to give chase. I felt weak, and stupid. The kobolds got away and I felt shame.”

  Kavan sighed. “Durzol, I understand what you’re saying, but to be honest, don’t ever fucking do something like that again.”

  The orc blinked as he looked at Kavan.

  “Your father, sister, and the town need you. I need you as my friend. An honorable death will not create new memories with the people who love and care about you. We fight monsters and enemies together. If we can’t, we run together to fight another day.”

  Durzol looked away. “You nearly lost your life, sacrificing yourself to close the dungeon entrance.”

  Kavan chuckled. “I had no intention of dying, by xykks or by some heavy rocks.”

  Durzol smiled. “So, it was stubbornness and not self-sacrifice.”

  The dragonkin nodded. “I’ve cheated death before. I will do it as many times I can until death wins.”

  Durzol nodded. “My father was right to believe in you, as do I.”

  Kavan smiled. “We all believe in each other. That’s how it should be.”

  The orc nodded and gave Kavan a knowing smirk. “So, you spit fire now?”

  The dragonkin laughed. “It seems like I do. I didn’t even know I could do that.”

  “We are discovering many things about ourselves. I look forward to all our future discoveries.”

  The two friends walked as the sun slid into early afternoon.

  ***

  A golden hue covered the lands and the walled town of Moonvale. Birds flew up and perched on the high walls. Heads tilted down and chirps filled the air. Small eyes glanced down to a blanket on the grass by the southern gate of the town, a goblin and a troll sitting on it.