02 Wrath of Flames

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  “Awe, Sweetheart!” Kanade bent low and scooped the child and cat in a tight embrace. “Don’t be upset. Panther is a good kitty who can take good care of yourself can’t you.” She gushed a little overboard and rubbed her nose between his ears. Panther made an irritated ‘Row’ and batted her cheek without claws. Then she kissed Blossom’s cheek. “I’m glad you at least worried about him and are grown up enough to tell us you lost him.”

  “Mama gets real mad when I lie. Do you know how she knows when I lie?”

  “She’s your mom.” Ethan said as Kanade put the now teenage Pixie on her hip like a small toddler. Blossom, like all Pixies, age rapidly. In about six more months she’ll be full grown. “Mothers just have a sixth sense when their child is lying.”

  “That and having over seven hundred cocoons ought to make me an expert in dealing with children.” Floa tacked on and smiled at her youngest.

  “You mind if I take Panther for awhile, Kiddo?”

  “Sure, Uncle Ethan. You look like you need him for comfort more than I.” The Pixie unwrapped the lounging feline and held it out so his larger hand cradled the cat.

  “Kanade, before we leave, you think we should eat here first? You’re hungrier than me.” She nodded.

  The group left the privacy of the stairwell and as soon as they were spotted by nearby groups around the head table with thrones there came silence. For once there was indecision on how to react in the direction of those coming out. They decided on awkward stares.

  Tattoo though came walking to them from his new seat at the head of the royal table rather than a space from when he was in a wheelchair. His exo-skeletal suit carried him over silently. The Specialist raised a hand while saying loudly “You haven’t any idea how good it is to see the two of you again.”

  “You’re referring to our disturbing the castle aren’t you?” Ethan said as he laid Panther around his shoulders.

  “Partially.” Tattoo did laugh genuinely. “I must say I’m glad Gra isn’t as jealous of you as her sister’s are. I’ve got reports of a few men with broken pelvises from other horny Amazons… and most of those aren’t even close to the mating heat they get every five years. Potions masters are really pissed… and Odin is quite angry this castle is in need of repairs for the first time since its creation. It would be best if you take a short vacation after a debrief till he cools down.”

  “No debrief.” Ethan said. “I’m not going to tell anyone other than Kanade what I endured before I got out. I was actually hoping to see you and let you know we already decided on a vacation. For a month for starters.”

  “I’m sorry, but you are going to have to tell us what happened and anything you learned.” Tattoo stepped back as Ethan growled menacingly.

  “Let’s get one thing straight, Tattoo. I’m barely keeping my sanity on by a frayed thread. If I start telling all I suffered again and again, I’ll snap. With my strength alone, nothing short of an Enforcer can put me down. Kanade alone can read my thoughts so I don’t have to say them aloud over and over and make me relive the torture. I don’t care who tells me what I have to do. I’m going to not say a goddamn thing to anyone about anything, anytime soon. Don’t push me.”

  Ethan walked alone to the nearest table and sat down with barely controlled anger. Kanade wasn’t long in apologizing for his manners before joining him.

  Baldr quipped from the group. “Getting laid should have made him more pliable.”

  Tattoo shook his head. “He’s had it rough hasn’t he? Any of you discovered anything?”

  Blake hissed “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll tell you what he told us a few moments ago. And he isn’t lying. He was about to snap. I trained him and the setting of his shoulders shook like when he is forcing his blind rage into it going cold and direct. He hasn’t done it since I graduated him to a warrior’s status. The physical and psychological trauma coupled with malnutrition would have killed him if he were human. He needs to be alone to recover and come to grips that he isn’t in danger anymore and he isn’t delusional. We’ve all seen those who return from such experiences changed and easy to set off without giving space. His circumstances should be erred on the side of caution. If he says a month, you should agree.”

  Tattoo’s steel hard gaze took in the two giants sitting at the table and shook his head. “I was overruled, Blake. I have no say. If you can enlighten the council then if it sates their curiosity we can let them go off alone to recover.”

  “He gave us a sample of what he endured. Believe me, it will get the others off his back. If my father still will not relent, I will challenge him for Ethan’s sanity. He must overcome, not break.”

  “How did you know it was your father who was most vocal?” Tattoo asked as they moved to the elevators.

  “My father has made it clear he doesn’t respect Ethan because I didn’t teach him the ways of the sword, rather than master Krav Maga. Crait is stubborn and I will put my life on the line to help that hatchling from my father’s fragile ego.”

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that. It is well known you and he don’t even spar because you two will go for the kill-shots… and only one will make it out alive if at all. You would do that for Ethan?”

  “Without hesitation.” Blake vocalized as the elevators went ‘Ding!’

  “Hey, Cook.” Ethan smiled at the emerald Will-o-wisp.

  “It’s been miserable without the two of you here!” She choked. “If I had arms I’d hug you and never let go.”

  “Them’s fightin’ words.” Kanade smiled softly.

  “I can’t hurt you and you can’t hurt me. I guess that means we’re in a stalemate.” The Wisp taunted as her burning green ball of a body with one large purple eye passed through Kanade’s hand without any sensation. “I’ve heard what you’ve been through, Kids. You both need protein, lots of it. If you don’t have a preference I took the liberty of making bacon cheeseburgers fit your sizes with hot pies, fries and my own blend of seasonings to bring you both back to peak performance.”

  “With beer, lots of beer.” Kanade made sure she got a much needed drink.

  “Can you put out three hundred pounds?” He asked.

  “If you can handle it, I can make it to where you can’t stomach another bite.” Cook hovered in front of empty platters and with a bright flash stood mounds of burgers and an assortment of fries. Potato, sweet potato and spicy.

  Thirst was needed most as both Ethan and Kanade reached for the pitchers first. Loudly they drank a whole pitcher which was hardly a beer can in their hands. Beer was difficult for either to get drunk on. Wine was stronger. Whiskey and then Floa’s fermented nectar was ruthless and easy to get hammered on. After their thirst was sated, so began the hamburger massacre.

  People were dumbfounded as the two of them were ravenous for real food. Cook made sides to even out their diets with steamed broccoli dipped in cheddar cheese, green beans with little bits of sweet Vidalia onions and honey cured ham for added goodness.

  Real food had both going at it while moaning almost like it was sex for the stomach. Cook seemed to glow brighter than ever, feeding off their happiness and need for her.

  The team didn’t bother asking questions as they were too preoccupied for more than an hour eating every scrap together. Instead the team told them all that had been missed, mostly by the two of them. Sadly there wasn’t all that much, just a lot of failed attempts at rescue and many battles with the other Lords to stave off Sheedan’s expansion.

  As the meal was coming to a close and their stomachs were full to bursting, Ethan remembered something as an eight and a half foot tall Spirit Guide who’s name eluded him walked by. Her body had a fuzzy, mildly transparent quality so he said “You there! Silver wings!”

  The Spirit Guide paused in her walk to look in their direction and her eyes widened as she acknowledged Ethan who called for her as he stood and hopped over the table like a kangaroo, only much, much bigger. His wings partly spread as he landed and retracted till he felt the i
nternal click that gently locks them in place comfortably. “May I assist you, Mr. Volorum?”

  “Oh, yeah you most certainly can.” He said as a hand reached into a pocket and fished out a burning blue soul squealing to be freed. “I killed Ximr, the Nependis when I tore my way out. This is his soul. Let your boss know to add he was also the leak and the one who bought the mercenaries who attacked the meeting with the Demon Lords. He set it up primarily to target my angel first, then me and whoever else they could eliminate. Make sure his other world punishments are greatly extended.”

  The Spirit Guide flipped her wrist and a silver sheet appeared for her to quickly read. She nodded. “Yes, Lord Fate just heard it and promises Ximr’s stay in Torment will be for sixty million years before being transferred to Nothingness indefinitely.”

  “What a relief to send someone where they truly belong.” Kanade sneered as she heard it. “Make sure he gets express shippin’.”

  The silver winged woman smiled shyly before pursing her lips and sucking the traitorous soul within her body. The soul shrunk to a spark and disappeared within her and she touched her abdomen. “I’ve got him.”

  And before she could take off there was a snort “Give him back, now!”

  They turned around to find King Grayback and four other male Nependis armored up like Ethan remembered from the remake of the Planet of the Apes, only with pig hooves for back legs and a flat snout. Rounded armor framed their bulky physiques with helms that swooped back and up. Only Grayback’s armor had trims of gold. The Spirit Guide said “I’m sorry, but I have my orders.” She spread her silvery wings and flew off moments before he sprung.

  In midair the king came to a stop as a hand held him aloft by his dark armor. He was set down and scolded. “He deserves what’s coming.”

  “I’m his king. He deserves what I decide.” He sneered back.

  Kanade glared down at the obnoxious king. “If you weren’t so blinded by your own superiority complex you would have seen he was a traitor. If you had done your job and invoked the Brillr each year as required, you wouldn’t have been disgraced to this level. My angel wouldn’t have been stolen from me and I wouldn’t have been attacked at a peace summit and Sheedan wouldn’t have had inside information. The only thing you got out of this were new Niplin’s from sleepin’ with another not of your superior race.”

  Outrage and fury had Grayback beat his chest like a drum and his tusks glowed blue as he angrily charged and readied to bite her leg. Kanade showed no sign of worry.

  Ethan on the other hand kicked the king harder than a football punt as he roared. Outraged. The Nependis slammed into the wall harder than a cannonball fired at a stone wall over two hundred feet away. To the eye of everyone else Ethan simply disappeared, but just moved too fast to follow, and reappeared with his fist smashing into Grayback’s stomach like a missile, cracking the wall with extra force the being’s body couldn’t absorb. “IF YOU EVER THINK TO LAY A HAND ON MY WOMAN LIKE THAT AGAIN, I’LL KILL YOU! HERE’S A REMINDER OF WHO YOU ARE FICKING DEALING WITH!” Ethan roared at the Nependis.

  His fist opened to an open hand and caught in an angry reddish-purple fire. Ethan effortlessly burned past the armor’s wards, metal and branded Grayback’s entire chest with his enormous hand that covered over half the torso. The smell of burned flesh assaulted the senses before he allowed the Nependis to drop fifteen feet to the hard stone floor like a ragdoll.

  Ethan turned to the flabbergasted hall and said “Get this asshole to the emergency wing. I didn’t hold back much.” He then spat on the idiot who thought he could attack his love and not get away with it. Snorts and glowing tusks charged him and he held up a flaming hand. “One time warning. Get the hell out of my sight or I’ll kill you bastards as well.”

  The icy tone and calm stance plus his size had the four guards reluctantly stop though their tusks glowed with saturated energy. They moved around, not taking their eyes off him. Dancing flames died down and he stomped forward. As soon as his back was to them, one sprung to attack. Inhuman reflexes struck as soon as someone screamed ‘Look out!’ and he kicked the attacker without remorse for the dishonorable attack, sending the head deep in the torso.

  Jaws dropped lower as he turned around and walked away without another care. The other three watched as a soul separated from their fallen comrade. Then more hatred when they realized they were no match even in numbers.

  Odin chose that moment to appear and stepped between them. “I suggest you leave right this second and never come back without my expressed approval. You bastards deserve that for harassing someone much deadlier than you who gave fair warning. Love, send Grayback to the healers for surgery and the three of them home.” They all disappeared except the corpse and parted spirit as she clapped in the deathly silent room.

  The All Father turned as he heard Kanade say “You dropped somebody.” And held out Panther between slender fingers. Ethan’s calm reply was “Sorry about that, Little Guy.”

  “Lad, you just fucked up.” Odin then surprised everyone by emotionally saying “I’m so proud of you.” He wiped a fake tear from his lone blue eye. He laughed and tugged on his blonde beard.

  “They should have known better.” Ethan said simply. “Grayback was looking for a fight and didn’t stand a chance.”

  “I know, Lad. I know. He’s had a hard-on for you when one of the reports stated you killed Ximr and confiscated his soul. Nependis settle their own affairs and your interference rubbed him the wrong way. Not to mention being embarrassed by your lovely lass laying in on him for his negligence. The fool should have did the Brillr to detect the loyalties of his underlings. But I’m surprised Ximr was who set the religious hounds on Kanade’s scent. How do you know this?”

  “How long have you been hiding?” Ethan asked as he and Kanade approached him and Floa.

  “My skills in magic aren’t great, but I can go unseen well enough when I need to.” Odin replied. “About your suspicions…”

  “Facts.” Ethan corrected. “I can see and hear through fire. I learned after my fourth day under Her care. I’ll give you the memory if you want.”

  Odin didn’t think long before he nodded and got that piece. His smile melted as he watched and was as if he lived it. “Damn, Lad, I would have fed his soul to a Demon after he admitted he wanted my woman dead.”

  “Oh, I had those thoughts. Believe me. Thinking about Kanade got me through, but killing him with my bare hands fueled me to get vengeance.”

  Odin could only nod, knowing he would do the same and had, many times over the centuries. “Lad, still, you messed up when you clearly could have hurt rather than kill a rare species. And you attacked a head of a house. There will be repercussions.”

  “If Grayback knows what’s good for him he’ll give up or wind up like Ximr and his sorry excuse for a bodyguard.” Ethan was deadly serious. “And I know your pissed because of us making love and compromising the castle. We’re going on vacation, unless you want me to weld the cracks back shut?”

  Odin held up a hand. “I’ve calmed down, Lad. And you needn’t worry. You can’t help being what you are when making love to your woman. If I had your strength I wouldn’t have this castle at all. It would have fallen long ago. And I’ll make sure that you aren’t disturbed for anything other than a global emergency. Short of that, take as long as you need. You’ve more than earned it. And I’ll take care of the mess.” He jerked his head to the corpse being taken off the floor and blood being mopped up. “Just no more killing if you don’t need to.”

  “Only in self-defense. I promise.” Ethan said genuinely. “Floa, before we leave, I need to go check in on Celestia.”

  “Do that. I’ll work with Cook and send some food to Blue Angel Isle.” Floa said calmly. “But let Odin, Blossom and I come out one day for some fun in the sun and surf.”

  “We can do that.” Kanade promised

  “Before you go…” Reevy said as she came over. “I’ve got to go get something. I’ll be rig
ht back.” Then she ran away and down the Nagai hall to her room.

  Upon her return to the hall she found Ethan’s great wings flapping fast to hover over a long crack, his hand sending a thin string of visible heat in a hard to reach crack, melting mortar and stone into filling the fissure from deep within. Many couldn’t help but watch him at work on something menial after what he did less than five minutes ago. Reevy held up the cloth wrapped package and as soon as he finished completely sealing the stress fracture he dropped forty feet and approached with Kanade who was also just as curious.

  “I finished it during my downtime when not chasing leads or my mate in search of you.” Reevy hissed and held the cloth wrapped present up.

  He knelt down to not make the female Naga seem so tiny and smiled. “Thank you.” Ethan said as he took the present and began unwrapping it.

  To his and onlookers surprise out came a diamond shaped ruby red shield polished to a mirror shine. It was the Dragon scale Methrom gave after Kanade was hurt. It was smoother than glass to the touch, but harder than steel. Two feet long, it would make a decent shield for a human, but long straps would make it a small Targe on his forearm. Ethan flipped it to the underside and saw Reevy had cleaned and smoothed it out to a shine like the surface and somehow used a process he didn’t understand to cut through the scale that was less than a quarter inch thick and use thin red leather to be threaded through the long holes to be replaced when needed. She brought something already beautiful to a visual perfection. “Wow, Reevy, it’s absolutely amazing. Well worth every point.”

  “It was my pleasure. It is not every day I get to work on the prize scale of a Dragon that sheds this only once every five thousand years. It’s ten times harder than normal Dragon scales and comes from the one between their eyes. I cured it in special salves so copper won’t weaken the integrity anymore. I haven’t had it enchanted so do whatever you want to. I had to spend two weeks carefully boring the strap holes and over three more polishing it to perfection. I was able to trim some flecks of meat from the edges so they are also sword sharp. I doubt it will cut your skin,” She held out one clawed finger and ran it over the edge to show a line of blood from one hell of a paper cut. “but to anyone else it will slice quite well like any blade.”