by Al Shield
‘That’s an opportunity you’ll never be afforded. How is our world known in your realm?’. He calmly replied hand moved to the baton once more.
As much as being chained and interrogated infuriated Dar’Kannag, he was starting to admire Omega’s tenacity. The creature didn’t seem to show an ounce of fear in the mighty being’s presence when everyone in this realm had become a quivering mess. Once Dar’Kannag was free he was looking forward to absorbing his soul into the infernal engine and mounting his skull on the front bar of his mighty wagon.
‘It is not.’ The beast spoke. ‘There may be some record of it in some sorcerer's tome somewhere but I was not aware of it’s horrid existence until I was forced here. It’s more than likely that the one who set the portal set it up to transport us somewhere randomly.’
‘So getting back would be impossible.’
‘Nothing is impossible little Meat. Someone in this forsaken place must know and I will rip everyone apart until I find them’ he replied confidently.
Omega went to speak again but stopped to consult with the voice in his ear. He nodded again and turned his attention back to the prisoner.
‘So the portal brought you all here. What was the first thing that happened when you came to a stop?’
‘Why we discovered how pathetic you little creatures truly are..’
BLUE. AFTER THE MOMENTS of pure endless dark from the portal the dusty and dirty flame coloured skies of the Realm of the Damned had been replaced by an ocean of bright blue and occasional white that stung Dar’Kannag’s eyes as soon as they exited he struggled to bring the wagon to a screaming halt. Blue was the colour of the robes of those who buried themselves in endless tomes. It was not a colour he was used to.
After a few moments of the churning wheels tearing great rents in the dirt the vehicle finally slowed down to a crawl and then the engine promptly shut itself down. Wisps of steam appeared on the outside of the wagon as the metal used to far hotter conditions started to cool in the completely unknown and alien air.
Behind them there was a crackling sound and then a small pop as the portal having delivered it’s target, shrank away quickly back to its initial size and then to nothingness. For the next few moments the occupants remained silent while they took in their new surroundings.
Finally, Nex spoke up.
‘Well this is new. Any idea where we are?’
Dar'kannag shrugged his huge shoulders while K’Dian continued to look through the window at the sea of green covering the ground all around them. Unit M quietly clicked and whirred as he ran system diagnostics on the vehicle. His findings came as a shock.
‘Alert alert, all soul chambers report empty. Alert alert, all soul chambers report empty.’
‘Impossible!’ Dar'kannag grunted ‘Run scan again!’
Unit M closed his eyes and ran the report again.
‘Confirmed. All soul chambers report empty.’
Angrily Dar'kannag threw open the drivers door and stomped to the front of the vehicle. From the back K’Dian thumbed the bonnet release allowing his father a closer look.
The infernal engine was a part living tissue part infernal iron forged in the hottest part of the Realm of the Damned, caging the still beating heart of a Moon Mountain beast that Nex had hunted personally moons ago. Dar'kannag had replaced the original twisted heart engine when the last one suffered from a terminal overload one race season and this one greatly outperformed the original. However to reach the levels of power needed to move the wagon at the speeds it did, the beast heart needed exposure to caged souls that suffered through extreme pain to produce what the heart fed and Dar'kannag could see that each of the ten chambers were now empty. Without them the heart would still beat and the vehicle would still be able to move, but barely.
There were no cracks in the containment so at best guess the souls had evaporated upon entering this realm through the portal. The beings trapped in there over time were now free.
K’Dian confirmed the bad news - the spare sets in the back were also empty with no obvious signs of escape. It seemed this world had its own laws of sorcery and containment.
Dar'kannag smashed his fist into the bonnet in frustration which caused the vehicle to shake. He shook his head as he looked around - there wasn’t anything in sight that seemed even remotely useful in this situation - mountains to one side far far away and a sea of green plant life all around them. Not even knowing where he was didn’t help. Was this an unknown part of the Realm of the Damned he wasn’t aware of? Or had the trap sent them all somewhere far worse?
‘I am open to suggestions.’ He finally rumbled.
Nex had retrieved her rifle from the roof holster and was now using the scope to see further than any of them could. She took in the mountains with their white caps and when she turned around a small brown dwelling came into view. She also spied movement, a red vehicle with small wheels up front and giant ones at the back that was moving slowly towards them.
‘Contact!’ she called. ‘A strange vehicle on its way.’
K’Dian spoke a few words to Unit M who closed his eyes and hummed away as his scanners went to work.
‘Designation, unknown. Vehicle make, unknown. Sensors detect combustion, heat, unknown substance.’
‘Powered by souls?’ K’Dian asked.
‘Negative. Vehicle does not appear to be living entity.’
Moments later the vehicle chugged into view and Dar'kannag could see that the rear wheels were only slightly shorter than he was. How horribly infective they must be when coupled with the smaller ones up front for high speeds he mused. The owner of this vehicle must be a servant and the machine used to tow wrecks off the track.
The vehicle drew to a halt and Dar'kannag was finally able to see the tiny pilot in the strange machine’s only seat. He was clad in loose fitting clothing and a large hat and yelled something at the four of them that they didn’t understand.
‘Processing language’ chirped Unit M. After a few buzzes he responded again. ‘Language similar to: Magespeak common, outer realm. Initializing disks.’
He opened a section of his chest plate and removed three small green disks which they all placed on their neck. The discs glowed momentarily before being absorbed into their flesh.
‘Ah said, what the fuck are you doing on mah farm!’ the man yelled again, finally being understood through the translation disk.
‘Unknown word: Fuck.’ Beeped Unit M.
‘Is this some kind of weird halloween shit? Or are you all some kind of sick Satanists?’
‘What is a Satanist?’ Dar'kannag rumbled and the deep booming of his voice took the man in the chair aback.
‘You know, god forsaken devil worshippers! Walking around in your giant costumes!’ he spat after he collected himself. ‘If you four are lookin for trouble, then you sure as shit found it! I’ve got a good mind to call the police on you all for trespassing. And what in the hells is that thing?’ He pointed at the scarred war wagon behind them.
‘He knows of the hells it seems’ Nex said ‘Perhaps we aren’t too far away from where we started after all.’
‘Which hell are you from creature?’ K’Dian asked.
‘What’d you say? And what the fuck is going on with your eyes there son?’ he motioned to the twin black pools where his eye sockets were. ‘What kind of hollywood type of shit is that?’
Dar'kannag’s eyes narrowed. This creature was being incredibly disrespectful to beings in their position. If he didn’t watch his mouth then he wouldn’t be able to open it for much longer.
‘Enough prattle creature. You will tell us where we are before my anger gets the best of me’ Dar'kannag spoke.
‘You’re on my farm shithead and you’re gonna get off my farm before something bad happens.’ With that he reached back for his weapon in a box behind the seat. Nex however was much quicker, raising her rifle and snapping a shot off. The bone rifle still contained shells from the Tangled Wood worm but at this range the shell still smashed into
the farmer with incredible force, throwing him back into the chair. He then collapsed forward over the steering wheel.
Dar'kannag walked over and plucked the gasping and wheezing man out of his vehicle with his giant hand.
‘Pathetic.’ he grumbled as he got a good look up close at the creature. Devoid of obvious size and strength, armour plating or even some kind of natural weapon he likened him to the blind worms of the outer zone swamps. The man started to shake in terror in proximity to the beast as it’s hot breath washed over him, his mind screaming that none of this could be real as he realised it wasn’t an elaborate costume he’d been speaking and yelling at. Dar'kannag was about to increase his grip and crush the life of this pitiful being when K’Dian interrupted.
‘Even something this insignificant may still has its uses’ and he motioned to Unit M who walked over to the terrified man with a ring of iron entwined in wires. Dar'kannag nodded and lowered the man so that the ring could fit on his head. He plugged the wires into a soul chamber and pressed the button.
It took less than a moment for the farmers body to go limp in the monsters grip and the chamber to fill up with what looked like mist. Usually the mist was red but his soul had caused it to turn a hue of blue similar to the sky above.
‘Fascinating!’ K’Dian said in awe. ‘I wonder if this has an effect on power levels? I guess there’s one way to find out.’
He disconnected the wires and walked over to the War Wagon, swapping an empty soul chamber for the newly filled one. There was a small click as the bottom of the chamber spun open and the infernal engine could access the remains of the farmer. Dropping the body in a heap, Dar'kannag walked back to the Warwagon and pressed the button to wake up the engine. After a few moan and groaning noises the heartbeat finally held steady and a low rumble emerged from the core.
‘Soul quality slightly less than average’ Unit M beeped as he ran a scan. ‘However unit is currently active, albeit at barely minimum levels.’
‘Well that is a start.’ Dar'kannag boomed. ‘Very clever thinking K’Dian. Our next priority is to find enough to fill all the chambers and then work out how to go back.’
‘I do hope they put up far more of a fight than this one did’ laughed Nex as she ejected the spent casing ‘If that’s the best that this world has to offer then this place is going to get rather boring rather quickly..’
CHAPTER THREE
‘Your vehicle runs on souls?’ Omega raised an eyebrow. This was the only show of emotion so far in the interrogation.
‘Of course foolish meat! What else would we power it up with?’
‘Your world never considered some form of liquid?’
‘Perhaps, but it has been this way for centuries. Why change what works?’
‘This device your robot used to extract it, how does it work?’
‘I do not know, sorcery perhaps? As long as it extracts what I need, how it does it is unimportant.’
‘What type of souls do you usually use?’
‘Oh whatever miscreant is available at the time.’ He looked around the room and licked his lips with his snake like tongue. ‘There is always an abundant supply somewhere.’ Most of the soldiers twitched nervously after hearing those words.
‘Does this “soul catcher” work on something like you?’
Dar'kannag roared with laughter.
‘It would take that machine a lifetime to absorb a soul as rich as mine little worm. Perhaps though when I get to put the ring on your head..’
‘Can anyone use the soul trapping device.’
‘I would not think it difficult to press a mere button you pitiful creature..’
Omega just nodded. The voice in his ear spoke once more and he changed his questioning.
‘So you powered your vehicle back up partially with the soul of the farmer. Where did you go from there?’
‘Towards the dwelling Nex had spied. That led to a road and then eventually to a building with a collection of strange two wheeled vehicles at the entrance. Once we got past the imps of course.’
‘The imps?’
‘I COUNT TWELVE.’ K’DIAN reported. Unit M beeped his confirmation.
‘We won’t have enough power to fry them again.’ Dar'kannag mused.
‘Nor can we outrun them on only one soul.’ Nex added. She reached for her rifle once more. ‘I can get a few of them from long range but we’ll have to rely on blades if any get close.’
Dar'kannag kept an eye on the two legged black feathered creatures as the Warwagon exited the farm and turned onto the road. They too kept an eye on the procession but didn’t move from their position on the fence wire. They made strange cries and croaks to each other as they opened their beaks. Perhaps they were spies, relaying their findings to a hidden master?
‘Save your ammunition my dear, they seem to be holding their position.’
Nex let out a little grump as she let her rifle be.
‘Patience. I’m sure there’ll be a time soon enough for you to dance again.’
It had been a long running joke of theirs - she would tell him she was off for a night of dancing and come home hours later covered in gore and brandishing trophies such as horns and severed heads. She never looked so beautiful than when she walked in triumphant after a hunt.
On a couple of occasions other vehicles drove past the crawling wagon. Far smaller vehicles at that in bright colours and different styles. One had four doors like the Warwagon and strangely one seemed to only have two and by the looks of things, no roof. Each only had one or two occupant though so attempting to stop them to reap the souls within would be pointless - far better to find these strange creatures in a congregation to save time. Besides, they sped off quickly when they caught sight of the mighty vehicle and the occupants within.
Eventually a big building on the side of the road appear and K’Dian marvelled at the row of two wheeled vehicles parked out front with the small engine mounted in the middle.
‘Similar to the bog riders on the lake of sorrow.’ He mused. Unit M however had picked up more from his scans.
‘Some of these vehicles are housing weapons. Size, small. Powder powered projectiles. Projectile size, small. Effect unknown.’ He buzzed.
‘We take no chances.’ He nodded to Nex and she unclipped her rifle as the Wagwagon coasted to a stop nearby. K’Dian reached into a skin pocket behind her seat to retrieve a small hand cannon. It fired screaming metal shells that weren’t as lethal as Nex’s usual bone ammunition but equally as terrifying. Unit M opened the tip of his index finger and a small flame appeared.
Dar'kannag preferred his vicious strength and claws.
‘Remember, we need enough to fill the empty chambers.’
‘And after that?’ Nex chimed in.
‘Do what you do best my love.’ he smiled savagely.
She grinned like a shark as she took up a position behind the wagon with the gun braced on the bonnet. K’Dian crouched near the end of the vehicle directly behind Unit M and the armour plating that had been woven into his dried out skin.
‘How are you going to get them out of the building?’ K’Dian asked.
‘I have an idea.’ He walked over to the closest two wheeled vehicle and with his powerful arms, lifted it clean off the ground. The metal parts gleamed in the sunlight as he lifted it over his head.
‘This will do nicely’ he grunted and hurled it towards the building. Unfortunately his aim was a little off and his throw missed the window and thumped into the wall instead, the impact causing an almighty crack in the wall material. ‘No matter.’ He said to himself as he lifted another motorbike off the dirt. This one flew true, right through the window and pulverising the creatures who stood behind it, alarmed by the first noise. He was about to throw a third when the firing from inside the building started.
The air filled with claps of thunder as the shots rang out from the broken window and the swinging doors at the front of the building as the occupants ran outside to rain fire on th
e four. They looked to be soldiers Dar'kannag thought as he threw the third bike into a group of them with as much force as he could muster. They were all clad in dark clothes, black vests with skulls sewn on and most of them were sporting beards. A couple had also donned helmets for the battle. However they didn’t carry the toughness of most soldiers Dar'kannag had met in his time, easily bowled over and not getting up after being hit by the thrown vehicle.
‘What the fuck is that thing??’ one shouted as he sized Dar'kannag up.
‘Dunno, but it’ll be fucking dead in a minute’ another added as he raised his hand cannon up and fired away. Most of the bullets hit well muscled regions of the beast and failed to register but one nicked a part of his ear, drawing a faint line of ichor.
‘Impressive!’ Dar'kannag spoke as he touched his ear and then looked at the fluid n his finger. ‘You will do nicely!’
He raced forward quicker than the eye could see and impaled the first speaker through the stomach with his large claws, tearing the man apart. To the one who fired upon him he arced out with the back of his fist and knocked him out. Two more had appeared from the doorway brandishing some kind of club but before they had a chance to swing a pair of shots rang out and Nex’s incredible aim put them both down for good.
Over at the back of the Warwagon a group of ten of the creatures had raced forward in an attempt to overpower K’Dian and Unit M. However bursts of liquid flame from Unit M’s finger had them scurrying back while K’Dian carefully picked his shots, his screaming shells causing an ear piercing noise before they smashed into limbs, crippling those to use later.
From her position at the front Nex had taken a few blows from the projectiles and was bleeding freely from a shoulder wound. However she drowned it out with a deep breath and focussed. Somewhere in there was a creature with a rifle such as hers. A creature who had been lucky with some of their shots so far but would be fortunate no longer.
One by one she switched off the sounds around her. Dar'kannag’s mighty war cry as he used the torn off leg of one of the creatures as a club against the hordes that were still streaming out of the doors, the blood still gushing with every swing. K’Dian’s screaming shells. The heat, hiss and crackle of Unit M’s flames. The screams of the burning and the dying.
