by Clayton Wood
“Open the gate!” he cried. He was less than a hundred meters away now, the beasts catching up to him rapidly.
He saw the guard behind the gate hesitate, peering out from between the metal bars.
“OPEN THE GATE!” Dominus screamed.
He heard a loud grunt behind him, and his body burst into action, unsheathing his sword and leaping into the air, twisting 180 degrees. He saw one of the beasts leaping at him…just as his blade sliced through its neck, blood spraying from the wound.
It dropped, the other beasts leaping over its body, rushing after him.
Dominus twisted another 180 degrees in mid-air, landing and continuing his sprint without so much as a pause. He barreled toward the gate, watching as the guard opened it.
Ten meters…fiver meters…
He felt something slam into his back, and he stumbled through the gate, falling and somersaulting on the crushed stone path, then leaping to his feet. Black beasts smashed into the gate even as the guard tried to close it, flinging it open and throwing the guard to the ground. They leapt on the man, tearing at his flesh with manic glee.
Dominus ran toward the front double-doors ahead, watching as they opened…revealing Lady Camilla.
“Help!” Dominus cried, rushing toward her. More beasts trailed behind him, over a dozen of them inside the gate now.
Camilla brought something up to her lips – a whistle – and blew.
Dominus heard rumbling to his right, and turned to see the huge statue of the horned serpent there.
It was moving.
The huge serpent uncoiled, its eyes opening. It turned toward the creatures chasing Dominus, opening its huge maw, a long tongue snaking out of it.
Dominus reached the steps up to the front porch of the mansion, and the Lady stepped back, letting him through…and shutting the door immediately, locking it.
Bam!
One of the beasts slammed into it, rattling the door.
“Come,” Camilla stated calmly, leading Dominus up to the second floor of the mansion. There were no windows on the first floor, thank goodness…almost certainly as a precaution against such an attack.
They went upstairs, stepping up to a window on the second floor. It gave a perfect view of the front yard…and of the horned serpent and the beasts within it.
The creatures swarmed the serpent, leaping on it and tearing at its scales.
“What if…” Dominus began, but Camilla put a hand on his arm.
“Relax Dominus,” she soothed. “Enjoy the show.”
He watched as the beasts tore at the serpent, trying to pry the scales off its long body…with no success. The serpent roared, flopping onto its back and rolling around, crushing several of the creatures under its massive weight. A few of the beasts managed to leap off in time, and the serpent went after them, rearing its head back, then snapping them up in its massive jaws.
“See?” Camilla said, smiling at him and patting his arm. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Well, except for your ear.”
Dominus grimaced, bringing a hand up to his right ear. Or where it used to be. The bleeding had already stopped.
The horned serpent finished off the last of the creatures, flinging their corpses out of the fenced-in yard. Lady Camilla turned to Dominus.
“Would you be so kind as to open the window?” she inquired.
Dominus did so, pulling it open. Camilla brought the whistle to her lips again, and the horned serpent immediately stopped its rampage, returning to its original spot and coiling back on itself.
“Well then,” she stated, turning away from the window. “You can start by telling me what happened to my Seekers.”
Dominus nodded absently, watching the scene below. The creature whose throat he’d slit was lying just outside the fence now. He swallowed in a dry throat, remembering how close he’d been to death.
And then, minutes after Camilla and Dominus had left the window, the creature’s limbs twitched, and it got up, glancing at the mansion, then galloping back toward the forest.
Chapter 17
It was morning by the time Hunter and Xerxes spotted the tall black spires of the Kingdom of the Deep in the distance, a full two days after emerging from the Deep. And it was about two hours later before they finally reached the curved archway serving as the entrance to the kingdom. After spending the better part of a week hiking, Hunter’s feet were sore, his ankles chafed by his boots. Not as badly as he would’ve imagined, possibly because his body was getting tougher. Or maybe Xerxes’ goo had helped him heal a bit faster, to keep up with the wear and tear. Still, he was glad to finally be out of the woods.
“Man, I could use a drink,” Hunter told Xerxes as they crossed into the kingdom. “Not alcohol,” he added. “Just some water. And a nice hot meal.”
“No mushrooms?” Xerxes signed with a smirk. Hunter made a face. He’d had far too many mushrooms on the way back…and familiarity had definitely bred contempt.
“Maybe I can get Pukwa to show me how to use these things,” Hunter ventured, flapping his wings a little. He’d tried gliding a few more times, but only for small drops, no more than five feet or so. He hardly noticed the weight of his wings anymore, and had practiced moving them throughout their long journey. They didn’t feel alien to him anymore, but they were still a bit awkward.
“NO…TIME,” Xerxes countered.
“At least a meal then,” Hunter pressed. Xerxes nodded, and they set out toward the human side of the kingdom, which was of course on the opposite end of the kingdom, by the other entrance. They made their way over the grassy terrain, following the curve of the circular lake in the center of the kingdom, then continuing onward toward the other end. Eventually they reached the treehouses, wigwams, and longhouses at the human side. They were passing by one of the wigwams when Hunter nearly collided with two people exiting the small hut.
“Whoa, sorry,” Hunter apologized, taking a step back. It was a cat-woman and another person – it looked like a woman – wrapped up like a mummy, with a wooden mask held to her face by more wrappings around her head.
“Not a problem,” the cat-woman replied. She appeared to be the same cat-woman he’d seen when he’d visited the Shrine of Mammals with Pukwa days ago. “Didn’t I see you in the Shrine a few days ago?” she inquired.
“Yeah, that was me,” Hunter confirmed. “Nice uh, bumping into you again.”
“Hunter?”
Hunter turned, realizing it’d been the masked woman who’d spoken. She was staring at him, her mouth open.
“That’s me,” he confirmed. “Do I know you?”
“It’s Sukri!” she cried, practically throwing herself at him. She gave him a big bear hug, then pulled away. “I can’t believe you’re still alive!” she exclaimed. “And you got wings!”
“Yeah, well, I do crazy shit when I’m drunk,” he admitted sheepishly.
“That makes two of us,” Sukri replied. She noticed Xerxes then, and jerked backward, staring up at him in horror. “Holy…”
“Don’t worry,” Hunter reassured. “This is Xerxes. He’s my brother.”
Sukri stared at Xerxes, then at Hunter.
“Your brother’s an Ironclad?”
“Long story,” Hunter admitted.
“PLEASED…MEET YOU,” Xerxes greeted, extending a hand. Sukri glanced at it suspiciously.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she stated. “I had a friend get his arm ripped off by one of you…your kind. People. Whatever.”
Xerxes shrugged, clearly not offended.
“I don’t see the resemblance, Crispy,” Sukri admitted.
“My mom’s an Ironclad too,” Hunter said. “Like I said, long story.”
“She’s alive?” Sukri asked. “You found her?”
“Sure did,” Hunter confirmed. “What’re you doing here?” he asked. “And where’s Gammon?”
Sukri hesitated, lowering her gaze. She shook her head.
“Dead.”
“What?” Hunter
blurted out. “How?”
“Dio murdered him,” Sukri muttered. “Slit his throat just for the hell of it. After we surrendered. Lady Camilla all but forced me to become her Seeker, then made me come here with Dio.”
Hunter took this in, feeling numb. He hadn’t known Gammon for long, but the guy’d been a sweetheart…and loyal to a fault.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“Me too, Hunter.”
“Sorry for pushing you out that window,” Hunter added, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. He’d shoved her out of a window of the Lady’s mansion when he’d been possessed by Zagamar. “I uh…wasn’t myself.”
“Yeah, about that,” Sukri replied, putting her hands on her hips. “Dick move, Hunter.”
“I was…possessed.”
“That’s a new one,” Sukri grumbled. “Points for creativity.”
“I was. It’s a long story,” he insisted. “I’ll tell you all about it, promise.” Then he frowned. “Where’s Dio now?”
“Not sure,” Sukri admitted. “Kayla here says if I become a citizen, Dio can’t touch me.”
“Bet the Lady won’t like that,” Hunter ventured.
“The bitch can suck it,” Sukri retorted. Hunter grimaced; As much as he hated Camilla, sucking was one thing she’d excelled at.
“What about the Guild of Seekers?” he inquired. “Won’t they come for you?”
“Yeah, they kinda want me dead,” Sukri replied. Hunter smirked.
“That makes two of us.”
“Well look at us, Hunter,” she exclaimed. “Ever imagine we’d get into all this trouble?”
“You, yes,” Hunter replied with a grin. “You were always getting into trouble.”
“The Guild of Seekers won’t be able to harm you here,” Kayla interjected. “We should get going,” she added. “Before Dio comes to find you.”
“Too late,” a voice behind them grumbled.
Hunter turned, seeing a slender, muscular man in a tight leather uniform standing behind them. A black and red uniform with a grotesque mask covering his face…and an unforgettable silver bo staff on his back. Hunter’s blood went cold.
“Speak of the devil,” Hunter muttered. “Xerxes?”
Xerxes grunted.
“If this guy tries anything, tear him apart. Slowly.”
Xerxes grunted, stepping between Hunter and Dio. Nearly four feet taller than the Seeker, Xerxes loomed over the man, his four hands clenched into fists. Dio just stood there, ignoring him.
“Let’s go,” Dio ordered, his eyes on Sukri.
“Fuck off,” Sukri retorted.
“Wrong answer,” Dio growled.
“You have no right to force her to go with you against her will,” Kayla interjected calmly. “She wishes to gain citizenship.”
“She’s not a citizen yet,” Dio retorted.
“It is illegal to intervene in a person’s attempt to gain citizenship,” Kayla countered. “If you attempt to do so, you will incur the wrath of the Elders…and the Guardians.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “Even you cannot hope to win against them.”
Dio considered this.
“The Lady will not be pleased,” he warned.
“Her pleasure is no concern of ours,” Kayla replied.
“You sure about that?”
“Quite.”
Dio stared at Kayla for a long, uncomfortable moment, then turned to Hunter.
“You and I have unfinished business.”
“I don’t think so,” Hunter retorted. “Go back to your bitch before you get hurt, little man.”
“See you real soon,” Dio said. Then he stepped around Xerxes…or at least he tried to. Xerxes stopped him with one giant palm on his chest.
“KILL…NOW?” he inquired, glancing at Hunter.
“Probably not such a good idea here,” Hunter decided. “Outside is good.”
“See you outside then,” Dio promised…and swatted Xerxes’ hand away, striding past them all and making his way toward the exit. Hunter watched him go.
“Asshole,” he muttered.
“I…GO,” Xerxes said, stomping after Dio. “BE…BACK.”
“What’re you doing?” Hunter demanded. “Hold up!”
“GO…KILL.”
“Wait a second, would ya?” Hunter insisted. Xerxes paused, turning back. “We can kill him later. Promise.”
Xerxes sighed, clearly disappointed. But he stomped back up to them.
“I like your brother already,” Sukri ventured, smiling up at Xerxes. Xerxes smiled back.
“HUNTER…TELL ME…ABOUT YOU.”
“Oh yeah?” Sukri asked. “What’d he say?”
“LIKES…YOU.”
“Aww,” Sukri replied, glancing at Hunter. “I know boys push girls they like, but out of a third-story window? That’s a bit much, Hunter.”
“I didn’t…never mind,” Hunter grumbled. “We gotta go.”
“Where?” Sukri asked.
“Back home,” he answered. “I live with the Ironclad now…and Vi.”
Sukri’s eyes widened.
“I thought she was dead,” she protested. “The Lady said…”
“She’s alive and well,” Hunter interrupted.
“Huh.”
“It’s nice to see you,” he said, smiling at her. “By the way…what spirit did you choose?”
“Give it a few days and you might just find out.”
“That mean you’re coming with us?” he asked.
“I don’t think so,” Sukri answered, glancing at Kayla. Kayla smiled, putting a hand on Sukri’s shoulder. She turned back to Hunter, shaking her head. “No, I’m staying here.”
“Fair enough. See you around, Sukri.”
“See you,” Sukri replied, leaning in and giving him one last hug. Hunter turned to leave then, Xerxes walking at his side. “Hey, wait,” Sukri called out after them.
“Yeah?”
“Dio’s probably waiting for you,” she warned.
“Oh I know,” Hunter replied. “We’re gonna kill him.”
Xerxes perked up.
“Watch out,” she warned. “He’s really good. I mean really good.”
“Not worried,” Hunter reassured her. “I’m not gonna kill him. He is,” he added, patting Xerxes on the arm.
“He might not be able to,” Sukri cautioned.
“Yeah he will.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust me,” Hunter insisted. “Come on big guy. Guess we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for that meal.”
“Wait!” Sukri said, running after them…as best as she could in her wrappings. “If you’re gonna kill him, I ain’t missing it.”
“By all means, tag along.”
“Sukri,” Kayla called out after them. “Your citizenship…” Sukri stopped, turning to face her.
“I’ll be back,” she promised. “I just wanna see this.”
Kayla smiled, then leaned in, kissing Sukri full on the lips. And kept kissing her. Hunter’s eyes widened, and he glanced at Xerxes, who seemed equally intrigued. After a long moment, they pulled away from each other, and Sukri waved goodbye to Kayla, following Hunter and Xerxes. They made their way toward the archway marking the entrance to the Kingdom of the Deep, taking the stairs down to it and passing through. The long, wide bridge greeted them, crossing the deep chasm below. Sure enough, Dio was standing at the other end of the bridge waiting for them. They stepped onto the bridge, making their way toward him. Hunter and Xerxes stopped some twenty feet away from the guy.
“Go on big guy,” Hunter prompted. “Kill.”
Xerxes smiled…then stomped after Dio, barreling toward the Seeker.
“Hunter…” Sukri began, putting a hand on his shoulder…but Xerxes was already halfway to the Seeker and closing in fast.
Dio just stood there, hands at his sides.
Xerxes reached the Seeker, reaching out with all four hands…and Dio leapt to the side, his staff somehow appe
aring in his hands. He whipped it at the back of Xerxes’ knees.
The blade at the end of the staff bounced off Xerxes’ armor.
Xerxes slid to a halt, pivoting and lunging at Dio again. Dio ducked to the side, swinging at the exact same spot behind Xerxes’ knee.
Again it bounced off.
Dio followed up immediately by leaping into the air and bringing his staff down on the top of Xerxes’ head. Hard.
The armor there scuffed a little, but remained intact.
Xerxes crossed one pair of arms over his chest, smirking down at Dio.
Dio took a step back, and Xerxes went at him again, reaching out to grab him. The Seeker moved like a blur, dodging aside and using the momentum to chop viciously at Xerxes’ hands. This time the deadly blade at the end of the staff managed to chop through Xerxes’ armor.
A few fingers fell to the ground.
Xerxes grunted, staring at his amputated fingers, then lunging at Dio again. Again the Seeker dodged, lopping a few more fingers off.
“Hunter!” Sukri exclaimed, gripping Hunter’s arm. Hunter patted her hand.
“It’s okay,” he reassured. “Watch.”
Xerxes balled his hands into fists, swinging wildly at the man.
Dio dodged each swing effortlessly, his staff a blur as he counterattacked, four hits to Xerxes’ every attempt. Not a single blow touched Dio…but every strike hit Xerxes. Xerxes roared, trying to grab the staff out of Dio’s hands, but Dio was far too quick, the thwack, thwack of his staff hitting the Ironclad echoing off the wall behind Hunter. Eventually Xerxes stumbled backward, scowling down at Dio, who faced him fearlessly…then lunged at the big guy, his staff whirling so quickly that Hunter couldn’t follow it.
Xerxes stumbled backward onto the bridge, Dio’s staff hitting him so fast and hard that he had no time to recover. He fell onto his butt on the bridge, and Dio grunted, swinging his staff at Xerxes’ temple…and striking it so hard that Xerxes’ head snapped to the side with a loud crack.
Xerxes fell onto his left side, his limbs jerking uncontrollably.
Dio stared down at the Ironclad, then stepped over him, coming right for Hunter.
“Shit,” Hunter swore, unsheathing his sword. “Get back!” he ordered Sukri.
“I can’t leave you,” Sukri retorted.
