by Chris Fox
Blair had seen enough. He concentrated, warping the fabric of the Great Bear’s mind. It was different than a person’s, more malleable in many ways. He could see why Windigo had overcome Yosemite so quickly. Blair entered the Bear’s vision, joining him near a rushing stream. Yosemite was lazily killing trout, giving Blair a disinterested look.
“I cannot believe I’m walking toward a grizzly,” Blair muttered. He hopped onto a boulder in the middle of the stream, picking a path to the area where Yosemite was fishing. The Bear’s ear’s perked up, and he rose onto his haunches. Blair raised both hands, stopping on a stone a good dozen feet away from the grizzly. The water burbled and flowed around them, just a few feet deep. No barrier at all to a bear that size.
“I know the pain of loss. I know what it’s like to feel abandoned. But Windigo is using you. He’s taking advantage of your pain. He’s using your love for the Mother. That’s not what she would have wanted, Yosemite. Come back to us, Great Bear.”
The Bear roared, lumbering closer to Blair.
He froze as it approached, wincing as a giant snout sniffed at his face.
The Bear spoke in a rumbling voice, “You are also of the Mother. You have a part of her scent. Why have you come to my valley?”
“You are trapped in memory, mighty Yosemite.” Blair remained still, and kept his tone as soothing as he could manage. This Yoda crap was a lot harder than blurring around killing things. “A horrible being called Windigo invaded your mind. He’s hidden the memory of his arrival. Look.”
Blair raised a hand, and the sky shimmered. It showed the confrontation between Yosemite and an old woman. Yosemite killed the woman, feasting on her. Bright red light flared from the corpse, flowing into Yosemite’s eyes. Those eyes flared red, then the Bear continued feeding.
“This…cannot be. It must not be,” Yosemite rumbled. His body began to tremble. “Where is this creature? I will tear it apart.”
“That’s the spirit.” Blair raised a hand to Yosemite’s chest. He concentrated, pouring energy into the Bear. Yosemite grew larger, and more swift. Blair continued the flow of energy until the Bear was roughly double the size he had been. “You’ll find Windigo chained to that hill over there. He’s all yours.”
Chapter 79- We Need An Army
Blair laughed as the colossal Bear bounded down the mountainside, growing even larger as he approached the meadow where Blair had imprisoned Windigo. Blair closed his eyes, leaving Yosemite’s mind and willing himself to return to his own body. He opened his eyes, blinking as he took in the area around him.
Liz was still crouched over Windigo, her hands wrapped around the hilt of her sword. It looked far more natural in her grip than it ever had, and her expression was one of relaxed and confident determination.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“Yosemite’s got the upper hand now,” Blair said. “It may take some time, but I think he can expel Windigo. After that happens, I can help him become as he was.” He summoned the access key, the staff’s enormous power providing comfort as it flowed into his hand. “I don’t think I can hurry the process any more, though. It’s just going to take time.”
“Well, we’ve got that. Still, I think I’m going to stay right here until we have confirmation that this thing is no longer a threat.” Liz shot him a wink and a half-smile. “Can you look after Alicia?”
Blair moved to the teen’s side, pressing two fingers against her throat. “She’s breathing evenly, and her pulse is steady. I’m no doctor, but I imagine she’ll wake up shortly.”
“Can’t you use the Ark to, I don’t know, juice her healing or something?” Liz suggested. She nodded toward the man-sized dogs clogging the trees around them. “I see you’ve already done it for the pack.”
“I don’t think so,” Blair said, studying Alicia’s prone form. “A female’s defenses are incredibly strong, and designed to stop exactly this kind of shaping. I might be able to do it with you, though, using the bond.”
“Something to think about if Windigo wakes up instead of Yosemite,” Liz said. She shifted her attention back to the prone monstrosity.
Blair felt something immense to the south, powerful beyond imagining. It was an unfamiliar shaping, emanating a powerful rhythmic pulsing. The strength of it was incredible, the kind of thing he’d only ever seen Isis do. “Someone is right outside the Ark, using abilities I don’t fully understand.”
“Never a dull moment. Do you want to go investigate while I babysit? I think you’ve already done your part,” Liz suggested.
Blair was torn. The situation here was contained, but that could change quickly if Windigo woke up. “I don’t like the idea of leaving. If Yosemite kicks Windigo out, he’s going to look for a new host. I don’t know if I can stop him from doing that, but I have to be here if I want to try.”
“True, but if something powerful just showed up at the Ark we need to know what it is. Maybe scout it out and come back?”
Blair nodded. It was a good plan. He pulled at his reserves, light-walking to his familiar perch atop the Golden Gate Bridge. It was one of those rare clear days where fog didn’t blanket the bay, and Blair could see the source of the shaping.
A tear in reality stretched across a hundred meters of shoreline, facing the Ark. A single figure stood on the shore, and even from this distance Blair could make out the shock of red hair. He light-walked again, appearing on the beach.
Trevor’s hand shot to his sidearm, but he stopped himself from drawing. “Shit, man, I hate it when you do that.”
“Holy crap,” was all Blair could manage. He blinked, reaching out to touch Trevor’s hand. “You’re alive. You have a pulse. What the hell happened in that city?”
Trevor gave a reluctant sigh. “It’s a great story, but we’re kind of in a hurry. If we survive, I’ll tell you the whole thing.”
“So, uh, why is there a rift on my beach?” Blair asked. He peered through the portal at a golden city. “Am I looking at what I think I’m looking at?”
“Yeah, but take a closer look. Center of the city, at the base of the large pyramid.” Trevor pointed to indicate a pyramid that had clearly been central when planning the city. It was easily four times as large as any other. That pyramid was besieged by winged black figures, made small by the distance. A trio of titanic figures moved across the battlefield, easily thirty or forty feet tall.
“Oh, crap,” Blair whispered. “I haven’t seen an army like that since Set. Are those demons?”
“Yup. They don’t go down easy, and Nox brought an ass-ton of them.” Trevor gave sheepish grin. “I know it’s asking a lot, but we’re kind of in need of an army. Do you think you can help us out?”
Blair grinned back. “Just give me a few minutes to get some friends together. I think Liz is going to want to be in on this one.”
Chapter 80- Marshalling
Liz cupped her furry hands around the blue camp cup, enjoying the warmth seeping through the plastic. The coffee was black, but she sipped at it anyway. “Yuck.”
Yukon had arrived shortly after Blair left, and was boiling more water over a camp stove. Alicia sat on the ground nearby, her back against a redwood. Her face was too pale, her pupils dilated. She was in shock, and Liz knew from experience there was nothing anyone could do to alleviate it. Alicia had to come out of it on her own.
“Liz,” Yukon snapped, knocking over the camp stove as he shot to his feet. Liz spun toward Windigo’s prone form, ready to defend Alicia. Her blade still pinned Windigo’s shoulder to the stone stage, but his massive body had begun to thrash wildly.
Windigo’s stubby antlers fell away. His skin darkened, and fur began to sprout all over his body. Liz darted forward, yanking her blade from his shoulder. She assumed a defensive position, watching as the transformation accelerated.
“The Bear, he is returning,” Yukon said. He also moved to stand protectively before Alicia, shifting back to his oversized dog form. The dog bared his teeth at the Bear, giving a
low growl.
Windigo’s skeletal face began to crack and pop, a thick muzzle pushing its way outward. Fur sprouted over a thick, jutting forehead. Beneath that forehead, the eyes changed. Gone were the hollow furnaces; in their place was a pair of large brown bear eyes.
Those eyes closed, and a sixteen-foot-tall bear lay curled in a fetal position, shivering.
Liz prodded him with a foot. “Hey, do you speak English? Hellloooo.”
The Bear moved faster than she’d thought it could, scrambling away from her. It stared at Liz with those big eyes, sniffing at the air with a fist sized nose. “You…are not her. I thought, for a moment… It is not important. Yes, I speak your tongue. You are the Ka-Ken who watches over the Ka-Dun, the one who came into my mind. He freed me from Windigo.”
The Bear sat up on its haunches, and Liz glided back a step. She adjusted the grip on her blade.
“I really don’t want to have another fight,” she said. “You’re going to be a good bear, right?”
Behind her, Yukon growled.
“I do not wish to fight. I am tired, and weak. Even so, I have bested every Ka-Ken I have ever battled. Even Jes’Ka.” That last was said with pride, and the way he watched her suggested he was waiting for some sort of acknowledgement.
“I seriously doubt that,” Liz countered. “Blair said that Isis made you. If I can take you, and trust me when I say that I can, she’d have kicked your ass nine ways from Sunday.” She willed her blade back into her body, shifting to human form. “It sounds like you don’t want to fight, though, so I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. Where is Windigo now? Is he still hiding in your head somewhere?”
“I— I do not believe so,” the Bear said. He raised a paw to his forehead. “I cannot feel him any longer. The pressure is gone. But I am afraid. I hurled him from my mind, yet I do not know if he is still there, toying with me.”
“Yeah, that’s a possibility,” Liz replied. She looked around the stage, eyeing Yukon, then Alicia. The teen seemed the most vulnerable, and if Windigo were hunting for a new host he’d probably begin there. She walked over to Alicia, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Hey, kiddo, how are you holding up?”
“Liz?” Alicia looked up at Liz, blinking. “I’m sorry. I just feel…I don’t know. Last night was a lot. The things Windigo did…”
“You don’t have to process it all at once, or even talk about it. As long as you know that you’re safe.” Liz scanned ceaselessly, watching for any sign that Alicia wasn’t herself. She saw nothing obvious.
Brilliant light filled the forest, radiating from a second sun that appeared a few dozen feet away. The light faded, revealing Blair in human form. He looked majestic, his staff glowing with a nimbus of power. Behind him stood a familiar figure.
Liz leapt to her feet. “Trevor!”
She rushed forward and threw her arms around her brother. He hugged her back, just as fiercely.
Then Liz stepped back. She sniffed twice, cocking an eye. “Trevor, you’re….alive.”
“Yeah.” Trevor gave one of her favorite grins, then he punched her lightly in the arm. “Hey, I realize this will shock you, but there’s yet another world-ending crisis we need to deal with. We’re kind of on the clock. Blair?”
“Liz, I’m gathering the entire pack. Nox is overrunning the Proto Ark.”
“How are we getting there?” Liz asked. “And have you told Melissa yet?”
“I’ll grab her next. I just wanted you brought up to speed so you could lead the pack into battle. We’re assembling on the shore near the Ark.”
“Great, then enough wasting time. Let’s be on our way.” Liz shot a final glance at Alicia, but the teen still showed no sign of Windigo.
If he hadn’t found her yet, the safest thing Liz could do was get her as far from here as possible. She picked up Alicia, carrying her over to Blair.
Chapter 81- Change of Plan
Nox glided across the sky, circling the army below. There was no substitute for aerial recon, and that was one of the reasons he was grateful to have wings. Below, his army was beginning the final mobilization. They’d send in the hellhounds to soften resistance, then rush in with his most talented demons. The demokim were waiting outside, ready to gun down anything that emerged from the temple.
The key was taking Jordan down fast, giving the Ark Lord no time to react. Jordan was fast on his feet, and had immense power at his command. Fortunately, Nox had an answer to that power.
Nox hefted his staff, admiring it as he glided to a perch atop an obelisk. The amplifier was an ingenious invention, possibly the most devastating weapon Vulcan had ever created.
It would break the back of Jordan’s defense, effectively ending the resistance here. That would free Nox to accomplish his assigned tasks, and might possibly allow him to station a permanent garrison here.
Even if it didn’t, the real gain here would be the champions he was able to convert to his cause. Corrupting powerful Ka-Ken and Ka-Duns was why his forces were now so terrifyingly effective. He’d taken the best every continent had to offer, giving powerful people access to even more power.
A winged shape shimmered into view a few dozen yards away, atop another obelisk. Nox glided closer to the corrupted Ka-Ken, hovering next to her with powerful beats of his wings. “What is it, Dakota?”
“My lord, the base at Brasilia is under attack. We sent scouts to investigate, but the forces appear demonic in nature.” She came up sharply, pointing at the portal. “They appear to belong to Set, my lord.”
“Set’s dead. Did you leave the portal unguarded?” Nox asked, turning to glide in that direction.
“Of course not. I left our two best Ka-Ken there,” Dakota said. She glared at him. “I’m not an idiot, my lord.”
“There’s only one Ka-Ken at each obelisk? Yes, you are an idiot.”
Nox took a deep breath, knowing the next minute was vital. Jordan was somehow launching a counter attack at the portals, and Nox needed to deal with it swiftly.
He kicked off an obelisk, blurring toward the edge of the portal. He saw no movement as he swooped closer. Marble cracked as he landed. There was blood, but no sign of the guard. The modulator had been removed from the obelisk.
Nox looked at the portal, his heart sinking. Instead of his forward operating base, the portal overlooked a glorious San Francisco morning with several feet of fog blanketing the bay. The Ark there appeared to be floating on a sea of clouds.
He didn’t know what was happening within the Bay Area, as his three top spies had all died during Smith’s purge. He did know one thing, however: Smith had a Primary Access Key. If he entered the fray, he might be able to overcome Nox’s forces.
“My lord?” Dakota asked.
“Follow me,” Nox snarled. He leapt into the air, blurring toward the pyramid. He glided over his forces, winging toward a cluster of his most powerful servants. Kali was at their center, a queen holding court.
Nox glided smoothly into a walk, stalking up to Kali. “The game has changed. We’re about to be under assault.”
“Does that mean you’re finally going to let me burn some wolves?” Kali straightened, a malicious grin making her young face ugly.
“It does. We’re going to hit them with everything we have. Ready your best and get them assembled into a vanguard.” He checked his watch. Jordan still had fifteen seconds. “Oh, and Kali? I’m changing the plan. You’re going to like this twist, I think.”
Chapter 82- Firefight
“Here they come,” Jordan roared. “Remember, hold the goddamned line as long as you can.”
A flood of huge black dogs began sprinting into the room, scrambling across the marble as they fought to find purchase. They had huge, slobbering mouths—and where that slobber landed, it hissed and sizzled. These things were going to be a real treat to fight.
“Don’t let them get close,” Jordan ordered. He used his telekinesis to sweep most of the dogs from their feet. Ka-Ken darted i
n, slashing at bellies and snapping necks.
Another wave of demon dogs burst through, this one larger than the first. Jordan knocked down as many as he could, but the tide was endless. His people were being forced back, and they hadn’t even fought the real threat yet.
“Fall back to the stairwell!” Jordan set up a wall of telekinetic force that neatly bisected the room. He opened gaps for his people, swiftly closing them once each was safe. “Those of you with boomerangs or those fancy bracelets, get ready to open up when I yell fire.”
Jordan waited for his people to form a ragged line, straining as dog after dog hurled themselves against the shield he’d erected. Thousands of pounds of demonically enhanced flesh snapped and snarled just a few feet away.
“Three, two, one, FIRE,” Jordan bellowed. Then he dropped the shield.
A flurry of green and blue bolts shot from his people, burning into the enemy ranks. Dog after dog fell, but some still reached his ranks. Most were cut down by waiting champions, but two Ka-Ken and a Ka-Dun were swiftly torn apart. Their skin sizzled and hissed, and the stench of it filled Jordan’s nostrils.
Just like that, the last dog was down. Jordan crept warily forward, one hand raised toward the mouth of the tunnel. He called out to Elia, who was also creeping up. “Get ready. Nox won’t give us time to catch our breath.”
A winged demon burst from the shadows, her tail encircling a Ka-Dun. She yanked him up into the air, using both hands to tear his head from his shoulders, then discarded the body and darted back into the shadows.
More demons leapt from the shadows—dozens of them. Jordan erected another barrier, this time blocking the entrance to the stairwell they’d retreated to. The last few survivors turned to flee.
