by Carrow Brown
In our mind, the creature screamed in a voice composed of animals, men, beasts, and nature, Kill you! Eat you! Destroy you!
Over the sound of its screaming, we heard, “Don’t kill her! We need her!”
We opened my eyes in time to see a surge of magic rushing our way and scrambled to the side. We caught a glimpse of the stone melting away under the spell and cursed. So much for not killing us!
At our back, the Outer One worked itself free and looked at us with its good eye. Eat you! You challenged me! Hurt me!
Magic rippled through the air and we saw a loop of it tighten around the creature’s neck, bringing another scream of pain as its body jerked to the side.
They’re hurting it, we thought.
Gunfire exploded from near the door and we turned to see a pale faced David unloading a clip at the sickly magi crouched by the portal. The bullets sparked in the air around the man before lodging into the stone walls of the room.
Screaming loudly, the magi rose to his feet and pointed a finger to David. “Get him! The Master wants him as well!”
The Outer One’s head jerked toward David as the magic around it sank into its flesh to the point of disappearing. It pulled away, its desire to slaughter me emanating off it in waves, but the magic glowed hot as the scent of burning flesh filled the room. With a snarl, it turned to David. Prey.
“David!” we yelled, “run!”
He didn’t need to be told once, let alone twice, and was already out the door before we’d finished saying the second word.
“Dammit!” the younger magi yelled. “After him!”
We darted through the massive legs of the Outer One once more and sprang to its back. The creature twisted and turned, snapping its jaws close to us, but not on us. We sliced at its shoulders and arms, moving away and back again to give David time to flee and find help. The monster turned and chased us deeper into the chamber.
Kill you! it screamed, its voice more boom than words. With it came a wave of its hatred and hunger. Kill you! Eat you!
“Stop chasing her and go after the man!” the magi screamed.
The Outer One jerked away from us as the loop of magic brightened around its head and neck. We realized the magic hurt it as much as it commanded it and we felt a momentary pang of sympathy. We knew very well what it was like to be trapped and controlled. It turned and lumbered toward the door. Bracing ourselves, we made to leap onto its back and stop it when flames flared up around us.
“You stay!” one of the magi near the waypoint yelled. “The Master will want you!” To the Outer One, he said, “Get him now!”
But he can’t have you, Silence said, finally pulling our wills apart as the Outer One stomped out of the room through the large double doors and into the hall. I sent a prayer to the gods that the Oaken Staff magi would be able to handle it. Because if the creature made it to the surface, he’d have a whole city to feast on.
I turned and took cover behind one of the pillars as more flames exploded where I’d been. The wave of heat licked at my legs, and I scrambled away. I was strong and fast, but fire was not my friend.
“Why are you doing this?” I called, my voice more creature than human, but still understandable.
The remaining emaciated magi giggled. “He will be so happy! So happy.”
“I asked you a question,” I called, throwing my voice away from me. “Why do all this? What are you getting out of opening the void?”
I heard his feet grind on the ground, and when he spoke, it was away from me. “It’s the master’s will! He’ll be pleased when we return with the Shepherd’s Crook and the Kuglehost.”
Pressing my back to the pillar, I kept still and listened. His footsteps moved farther from me. I wondered what his reaction would be if he realized the Kuglehost was in a bag not ten feet away. Neither of the two mages appeared interested in the bag.
“Oh, so that’s why you’re here? To steal shit?” I lowered myself and sulked to the next pillar, so his back was to me. Just a bit farther and I could get my gun. “Just FYI, you can do that without summoning creatures from beyond the nothing.”
The magi barked out a laugh. “If you knew anything about the Shepherd’s Crook, you’d understand we need it for those creatures.”
I racked my brain trying to remember anything involving a Shepherd’s Crook. All I recalled was the Staff of Moses in Vatican City. Perhaps the Crook wasn’t an actual staff, but I didn’t have time to figure it out. “Then why don’t you tell me? I’m always up for learning new things.”
“So you can distract me? No.”
“It’s just you and me right now.” I darted again to the pillar by the door. “Why so cautious?”
I heard his heel grinding on the ground, his voice aimed in my direction. “I saw what you did in Louisiana. I’m not taking chances.”
I know you don’t like it when things get worse, Silence said, but things are getting worse.
My mouth opened, but a flicker of light caught my eye. I peeked around the pillar and saw the twisted waypoint gate was still up. In my mind, I pictured hundreds of other pairs of glowing eyes taking in the twisted opening in the fence. As long as the gate was open, more creatures could be pulled through. I still had grenades in my bag unless David took them all. A few would take it out, but I would have to do it quickly or risk the corrupted magi stopping me.
Or, Silence supplied, you could try something really fun.
“I’m at my quota for stupid shit,” I whispered, looking at the magi’s back and the gate once more. “Getting the grenades and risking a cave in would be safer.”
It’s stupid enough to work. All you have to do is wait.
“Wait for what?”
Just wait. Oh, and don’t die.
“That’s not useful!” I hissed. The floor under me rumbled, and in the distance, I heard the pop-pop-pop of gunfire, monster roars, and shouts. Worry for David flitted through my mind, but I shoved it away. I needed to focus on the issue of closing the portal and possibly saving the world from creatures looking to rip into our reality and consume all life.
The light clicking of a hammer being pulled back on a rifle sounded behind me. “Got you,” the magi snickered. “I’d think you’d know an illusion from the real thing.”
My teeth ground together, and my tail slid over the stone floor as I readied myself to hit him with it.
“Don’t. Move too fast, and I’ll pull the trigger, and we can see the real monster who murdered all those poor people in Ireland.”
Lifting my taloned paws, I moved forward as told. Despite his tone of voice, the magi’s fear filled my nose. Being crazy and afraid was not a great combination, but I had experience with it.
I let a low growl rumble in my throat. “You like monsters? That’s something that’ll get you hurt.”
“We all die, don’t we? Turn so I can see you.”
Keeping my hands in the air, I did so and faced the emaciated magi. With my six eyes, I noted the deep hollows of his cheekbones and restless eyes. The threads connected to him looked off, one of them pulling from him. Each small movement dimmed his aura bit by bit.
Noob, Silence said. He thought connecting with them would give him power, but they’re eating him alive.
I wanted to ask who they were but kept my attention on the magi as he walked in a slow circle to my back. “Yes, yes. The Master will want. He will be pleased with me!”
Turning again, I faced the madman while trying to figure out how I could kill him and go to David’s rescue. I debated darting in to overpower him, but the rifle pointed at my head kept my feet still. I didn’t wish to black out and murder senselessly again.
The magical portal behind the magi rippled, and a shadowy form slunk out of it. A biped creature, its long legs made up most its height and muscular frame. I braced myself for the mental assault I’d experienced with the first Outer One. But rather than primal rage and hunger, curiosity danced about my mind. Its head bobbed and twitched in a bird-l
ike motion on its long neck while it surveyed the room. A pair of fathomless black eyes fixed on the back of the magi and it lowered itself as it prowled toward him on silent feet.
“I’m me.” I took a step to the side, making the magi keep his attention on me and his back to the creature.
A look of realization covered his face. “That’s it! What the Master wants! It’s—”
I would never find out what his Master wanted. One moment he was standing, ready to shoot me, and in the next, his headless body slumped to the ground. The sound of crunching and cracking filled the air as the creature’s beak crushed through the man’s skull in the same way I’d seen turtles devour carrots. It let out a pleasant chirp as the man’s gray matter touched its tongue.
I tensed when it looked my way. It swallowed and bobbed its head, placing a foot on the bloody body bleeding out on the floor.
My first thought was to take a step back with my hands up, but the predator in me held my ground. If I showed weakness to the creature, it would attack me later. Instead, I remained where I stood, body relaxed and face soft.
It blinked and turned its head to inspect me.
“I’m not food,” I rumbled.
My words made it jump back, and I could practically see the surprise on its wide eyes and parted mouth—er, beak.
Screams echoed from beyond the door. The creature took a step toward it, its breath escaping in a hiss.
I held a hand out to it. “No. Stay.”
Its head swiveled in my direction.
“Stay. In this room.” I waved a hand at the headless magi. “Eat.”
The creature looked between me and the corpse at its feet. Giving us a final look, it turned and set to consuming the dead man’s flesh. Its beak tore into the body and pulled at it in long strips before tossing it back into its mouth.
It may listen to you, Silence said. Until the food is gone, anyway.
“Good.” I stepped backward out of the room, never presenting my back to the creature. Better to be safe than to tempt a predator’s instinct. Once I was in the hall, I grabbed the doors to the room and shut them. Even a busted barrier was better than none. I hoped it would deter the creature from venturing out or keep anyone from going in.
Content I’d done the best I could, I turned and sprinted down the hall.
I didn’t even make it to the first corner when the sounds of gunfire, booms, and inhuman screaming reached my ears. My monster legs ate up the ground quickly. Between my taloned feet and the counterbalance of my tail, I turned sharp corners with ease, widening my gait on the straightaways. My tongue picked up the taste of the Outer One—my prey—in the air through the halls, and I followed it like a beacon in the dark.
The one guy said they wanted David, too.
I leaped over a fallen suit of armor and rounded the corner.
Maybe it is because he’s an avatar? What do avatar parts go for on the black market?
Hearing the shot of a rifle, I pumped my arms and legs as hard as I could.
We’re not alone, by the way. Murder chicken is catching up to you.
I turned my head a fraction and saw out of the corner of my top eye a glimpse of the second Outer One who’d come through the portal. He caught up and ran alongside me until our feet moved in unison. It opened its parted beak wider to release a hissing screech.
I sensed its excitement in the hunt, motivating it to break my command and join me. Not that I could blame him. Why stay in a dark and dank room when you could track down and kill something? Part of me felt a small thrill at having someone to charge into battle with. This was how it was meant to be—hunting in a pack and bringing down our prey.
However, our prey was an Outer One. Would the creature remain at my side to bring down one of its own? I had to risk it.
We charged over the scattered pieces of the double doors leading into the auditorium. Calling it an auditorium was being generous. It was not so much a place to listen to people, as it was a gladiator pit with elegant seating. Magi trials, challenges, and demonstrations were conducted safely within the protected and enchanted walls.
Screams, gunfire, and the hum of magic accompanied the light show beyond the archway. The Outer One turned and thrashed while bolts of magic and arrows pelted it from various directions. Magi surrounded it, some channeling while others threw bolts of fire, ice, acid, and electricity in a technicolored frenzy at the creature. My eyes caught the bright golden glint of Goodfellow running along the tops of rails, nocking and releasing arrows, sinking deep into horrific flesh. Magic still glowed in a tight noose around the Outer One’s neck, digging into its aura. Atop its head, I spotted the teddy bear with swirls of purple energy spiraling out from it into the Outer One along with the accompanying screams of hundreds of children. The massive creature lifted its head back to let out a roar while it thrashed harder. It slammed into pillars and walls while dodging various attacks from the magi around it. The magical loop about its neck brightened, and the creature turned its head toward a pillar.
I spotted David with his back pressed up against said pillar. His features had lost the paleness from the waypoint chamber and grim determination was set on his face. Seeing his expression released the worry I’d been studiously ignoring. He slapped a magazine into his rifle and looked up just as we ran past him.
I jumped and landed on the creature’s back. My weight caused it to buck and turn as it tried to throw me. Murder Chicken also took to the air to land on its head, lashing out with its beak at the creature’s ruined face. Having struck, it leaped off and darted under the creature’s legs with ease. A bolt of magic struck my side and sent me flying off the massive creatures.
They are firing at us, too! Can these fuck-wits not tell the difference between good monsters and bad?
With a grunt, I rolled onto my feet and forced myself to change into a human form. The speed at which I did it left my bones aching and the flesh steaming from the expelled energy. Hunger turned my stomach in on itself—I used up too much energy too fast with no replacement. If I became damaged in the fight, I risked turning feral for real. Not even Silence could bring me back from that. Naked except for the belt which kept Silence with me, I pulled him free and turned him in the air as he shifted from knife to spear. I held him in a ready position for a charge.
A chorus of screaming children filled the auditorium and a chill ran through me before I caught sight of a pale blue energy that rushed at the monster and pushed it further away from me.
The Outer One lifted its head and roared its fury at us. It probably didn’t like that a group of ants stunned it.
Murder Chicken appeared at my side, moving from foot to foot. It turned its head toward me and chirped,
How the in the hells could I tell it to kill the larger creature to save everything it considered food? Silence said it would listen to me because I was stronger than it, but the Outer One was stronger than me.
Or was it?
I settled on “show, don’t tell” and charged at the Outer One with a battle cry, which filled the arena. My voice made the creature turn its good eye to me and scream,
“Come and get me!” I yelled back, diving forward and under its arms to run the blade of Silence-spear along his lower chest and belly.
It let out a screech and moved away from me and right into a wall of magi fire. I turned my feet and crawled up the side to see Murder Chicken also on the creature’s back and tearing wildly into its dark flesh. The Outer One turned and thrashed, trying to rid itself of us, but we both held on with beak and spear. I managed to get to the creature’s neck and pulled back my spear to deliver the death blow.
A male voice boomed, “Fire in the hole!” I jerked my head up to see Aaron Hardin with the Dragon’s Breath cannon over his shoulder and the exploding end aimed at us. The head of the cannon glowed a fiery red, and I pushed myself off the creature. I didn’t
see the magic but felt the intense heat of it against my back while I flew. The Outer One let out an unearthly death scream as I hit the ground and rolled onto my side. I looked over my shoulder and saw only burning ash and blackened bones where the creature once stood.
Aaron walked toward the ruins of the Outer One with sure strides, holding the cannon with both hands over his shoulder. Runes along the sides of the cannon pulsed with a red light in time with the red gems embedded into the front and back of it. They brightened, and another pulse of magic hit the creature’s remains and kept it there until nothing remained but a scorch mark on the ground.
I decided fucking with Aaron Hardin would require careful consideration and planning if he owned more toys like Dragon’s Breath.
“You took your sweet time getting here,” I told Aaron.
He turned his high-power glare onto me. “It takes a wee bit of—why are you naked?”
“Don’t ask. Where’s the other summoner?”
Aaron’s fuzzy brows drew together to create a single caterpillar. “What do ye mean ‘other summoner?’ And what th’ bugger is that?” He jabbed a finger to behind me.
Murder Chicken’s head appeared over my shoulder and clicked its beak at Aaron. The teddy bear rested along its back, part of its stuffing showing through the seams where limbs met his body. I could practically picture it wheezing after expelling so much effort.
I patted the side of the murder chicken’s head. “I’m going to call this guy Fred. You can thank him for helping. Now seriously, where is the other summoner? There were two in the waypoint chamber and Fred killed one.” I spotted David walking to me. “Did you see where he went?”
He shook his head side to side. “Can’t say I noticed with everything going on.”
“We need to find him. He has a connection to—”
Chilled air and darkness swarmed into the room. I whirled around to look at the doorway to see several robed figures, five in total, cloaked in shadows. Darkness seeped from their forms and into the ground and spread outward.
Aaron roared, “How the flyin’ fuck are all you scunners breakin’ into here!”
