Legacy of Dreams: Freedom

by Thomas J. L. Green

  “FIIIREEEE!” scream echoed through the camp and alarm bells started to ring from the camp. Edward Collward quickly woke up, dressed and went to see what it happening. The entire horizon glowed in bright orange light. The forest was on fire.

  “ALL TOP OFFICERS INTO HEADQUARTERS!” Collward commanded and his messengers head out. The camp was starting to wake up and panic the second after.

  “What’s the situation?” Collward asked his night shift commander.

  “There is a fire spreading out through the forest, heading in our direction. We have observed over nineteen sources of it; it comes from all directions relevant to the city. It will hit us in a few hours,” the man summarized, visibly terrified.

  “I need a better estimate than FEW!” Collward cut back.

  “Have we received any word from James?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Is the city gate opened?”

  “No, sir. It is sealed, blocked, all the people who were camping outside of the city are gone and there are Palai soldiers swarming the walls,” his head scout answered.

  “WHAT?”

  “It is…” he tried to repeat.

  “When did the people outside of the city disappear?” Collward pressed.

  “They were there before nightfall, sir,” the head scout replied.

  “We have to get into the city. Storm the city with everything we have. Use all resources – largest demons, secret passage into the arena, sleeper agents, insiders, wall buster… EVERYTHING!” Collward ordered.

  “We have to get into the city before the fire reaches us. Otherwise, we all burn here alive!”

  107

  Luna

  “HEEEELP!” sharp scream pierced the air. Luna got up. Watching the forest fire from the roof of the arena complex was a lot of fun, but this sounded it like it was way more urgent. It came from inside the arena. Luna swung down into the complex and ran to the sound.

  Screaming, blood, ringing of metal….

  What the hell is going on here?

  Luna ran down the stairs as fast she could. There was a corpse on them.

  Man, young, arena staff, stabbed from behind.

  Shit!

  Luna ran down and soon saw it. Black uniformed men swarming across the complex, killing everything they saw. They were organized, moving in groups of twelve.

  GRRR!

  Luna growled, then ran to the first man she saw. He didn’t even manage to scream before Luna’s claw slit his throat. The other men shouted and turned to her. They were well trained and organized. But they weren’t a match for Luna. She passed through them like a whirlwind of claws and teeth. All left behind her were mutilated bodies. Luna took out the swords that got stuck in her body and looked around.

  The screams are echoing through the whole complex. It looks like they are trying to take it all over, killing all in the way. I should go get Raven.

  No. Raven is going to be fine.

  I need to go help Samantha!

  Luna ran through the complex. The next group of the black armored men fell swiftly and Luna continued on.

  Healer’s quarters! Door’s forced open… shit!

  Luna dashed through the door and leaped at the man she saw. She skewered him and went next. Luna ignored everything else and just blitzed toward Samantha's room. She slid by a couple of men and burst into the room. Three men were hitting the bathroom door with axes, five more inside the room. Luna leaped toward the men at the door, ducked under a swing and crushed his knee with the back of her hand. Luna raised and ran her claws through the bottom of his jaw. One of the men from the room hit her side with a sword. Luna whirled, caught his throat and smashed it in her hand. The men swarmed around her as she couldn’t avoid them in close quarters. Luna ate a few more hits with the sword, but ran her hand through the belly of a lightly armored man and pushed through over him. Luna spun around to face them. They formed a semi-circular formation and got ready. Luna leaped in, powered by the sword stab and tore the first man’s throat. Then she spun and swung her hand. Her hand flailed through the air and didn’t hit. Luna tried to step back but her leg went sideways and she collapsed to the ground. The men laughed.

  Two men stepped forward and stabbed Luna’s chest with spears. Luna grunted and flailed around. Her body wouldn’t listen to her. They stabbed her again, again and again. Luna stared in horror as the men broke the door to the bathroom.

  “Here you are,” the man smirked as he crashed through the door and threw Samantha to the floor of the room by her hair. Samantha screamed and tried to get up. A man kicked her in the side. Samantha flung sideways, spitting blood.

  “Say boss, shall we have a little fun with her?” a man asked the apparent leader of their team.

  This would be a good time for someone to show up.

  “Oh shut up!” a man turned to screaming Samantha and kicked her in the stomach. She bent around the heavy boot and blood started gushing from her mouth.

  “We don’t have time for this,” The leader refused.

  Raven… this would be a really good time to show up.

  “Put her straight,” he ordered. Two men went to Samantha, grabbed her shoulders and put Samantha on her knees.

  Miranda… this is a really good time to be a hero.

  Please…

  Luna tried to move, but she just kept flailing around as the men kept stabbing her with their spears.

  “Luna… tell Raven… to not be afraid,” Samantha whispered.

  Screw the consequences. I need to shift, NOW!

  Alright puppy, let’s fucking slaughter everyone!

  GGGRRRRRR!

  ‘I can’t!’

  Long sharp blade exits out of Samantha’s chest. Captain of the men ran his blade through her. Samantha coughed out blood and collapsed on the ground as he kicked her off his sword.

  RAAAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGGGHHH!

  Nothing. Luna just kept flailing around.

  “… of freedom,” left Samantha’s mouth with her last breath.

  RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

  “What’s taking so long over there?” the captain asked the men who were stabbing Luna with spears.

  “She won’t stop moving. We have stabbed her like a hundred times and nothing,” the man revealed.

  AAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!

  “Then chop her head off,” the captain contested. Three men grabbed Luna and held her on the ground. Fourth lifted a large axe.

  Good! Cut my spine, that will make me go berserk and then it doesn’t matter if I can’t move properly. I will fucking crush you with my size alone!

  Blinding pain shot through Luna as the axe hit her neck.

  AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!

  “Ain’t coming off, boss. Them bones are tough as steel,” the man said before lifting the axe again.

  “Try again.”

  He did. Again and again. Luna’s pain was maddening, but her bones would hold.

  “Ain’t working boss.”

  “Prep the killer potion. That’s what we have it for, in the end,” the captain proposed.

  “Sure boss,” two men took down their backpacks and went on to mix some substances.

  “Let’s have some fun with her in the meantime,” one of the men proposed.

  “Yeah, I don’t like the way she’s looking at us,” another approved.

  They lifted Luna up and plucked out her eye with a dagger.

  UUUUURRRRRRRRRG!

  “Heh, it’s already remaking itself,” he chuckled as Luna was roaring in pain, wildly flailing around. The men plucked out her second eye.

  “This is fun,” they evaluated while pinning Luna down with spears. Luna kept trying to move while wailing in pain. Her eyes regenerated. The men plucked them out.

  “That’s the second pair.”

  Shit! My regeneration won’t last too long with this! I need to get out of this, now!

  Luna screamed and tried to leap off. The spears held her to the ground firmly.

  The
y plucked out her eyes again straight after they regenerated.

  “We are done,” the men who were making the potion said.

  “Good. That should shut off her regeneration and kill her,” the captain smiled.

  Luna struggled wildly. Without result.

  I am almost out of strength; this will actually kill me!

  Luna panicked. The men held her firm as she tried to struggle.

  Someone... anyone... please.

  “Bottom-up, monster girl,” the man grinned as he started pouring the black liquid down Luna’s throat. She tried to twist out but felt weak. So, so weak. She tried to spit it out, but they stuck a blade by her throat, stopping her from doing so. They poured it down her throat to the last drop.

  108

  Iowen

  “I am booooooooooored,” Iowen exclaimed as she lay on the makeshift bed. She was in the room of Albertti brothers. They were doing nothing, as usual.

  “How can you do nothing for so long?” she shouted.

  “We are good at it,” Erik chuckled.

  “And have a lot of practice at it,” Robert added.

  “WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!” Tal’Sec shouted as he kicked the door open. Everyone jumped up to their feet and grabbed their weapons.

  “By who?” Bat asked.

  “Slavers! They are swarming through the complex killing everyone they find. We blocked the corridor here, but this is no time for defense,” Tal’Sec explained. Albertti brothers and Iowen got ready almost instantly and went to follow him.

  “Got a plan?” Erik asked.

  “Need to set up a defensive formation and get some information,” Tal’Sec evaluated.

  “I can go scout,” Iowen offered.

  “We need you for the defense. Robert?” Tal’Sec refused.

  I don’t hear that very often.

  “Need me?” Iowen breathed in surprise.

  “I’m up for it. Do I look up or down?” Robert asked before Tal’Sec could answer Iowen.

  “You are our fastest archer. Any defense formation will pivot around you,” Tal’Sec responded.

  I like the sound of that.

  “Down, they don’t look like they came from up,” Tal’Sec added for Robert. Robert nodded, then dashed forward. They soon arrived at the room where they held the position. The Urushnii warriors were standing in line and using their polearms to fend off the attackers. The enemies had black slaver uniforms.

  “Iowen, Urg and Gruk, clean out the left wing for Robert. Bat and Alfons wait and conserve energy. Come with me, Erik, we are pushing the center,” Tal’Sec ordered. Everyone obeyed. Iowen went to the other two Urushnii archers and started clearing out the soldiers from the left as Tal’Sec ordered. Iowen was happy to see how she is faster than the Urushnii. Faster, more precise, but her bow was still heavy enough to pierce through the lighter armor of the slaver soldiers. Soon enough Robert disappeared and the Urushnii line started to advance. Erik and Tal’Sec were unreal. Nobody could get close to them as they kept mowing down the enemies. Soon the soldiers were cleared out.

  “We advance to the nearest crossroads, then hold position,” Tal’Sec ordered and led the way. They set up the formation as ordered. Before Robert returned, two more units of slaver soldiers assaulted them. That made twenty more corpses lying in the corridors.

  “They got a tunnel under the arena. Soldiers are pouring in. It’s in the eastern wing, not too far from here. I haven’t seen Luna or Raven,” Robert gave the report. Iowen jumped up. She didn’t see him coming or notice his presence until he started speaking straight behind her.

  People can’t sneak up on me… usually.

  “Let’s move then. We are screwed if the city falls,” Tal’Sec commanded and everyone moved in the direction Robert pointed out.

  “You seem to be having fun,” Alfons exhaled.

  Yea… I actually am. Killing people is a lot more fun when it’s a team effort.

  “Do I?” Iowen retorted.

  “Ten from left,” Robert interrupted them.

  “Split lines hid off sight,” Tal’Sec ordered. Iowen followed the others as they made two lines by the walls. Soon ten men rushed into the room. They ambushed them and turned them into minced meat within seconds.

  Impressive. It’s not that we have a great synchronization or anything like that. It’s just that we all know how to fight and Tal’Sec commands us with that in mind.

  They advanced through the tunnels. Robert first, the warriors behind them and the archers last.

  “That’s a lot of men,” Robert breathed. They stood on a ledge above a larger hall where slaver soldiers were organizing into ranks and teams to go through the arena.

  “There is a tunnel exit to the right. They come from there,” Robert breathed.

  “Battista, cover us for the drop. We drop down, make a circle formation and advance. Iowen, Bat and Alf stay in the center, rest moves around. The center helps clear the front; we advance till the tunnel. Then Alfons seals it and we clean up the rest of the room,” Tal’Sec stated the plan.

  “That’s suicidal!” Iowen contested.

  “Nah, we do worse stuff most of the time,” Erik smirked. Battista held his hands close and lightning started to form a ball between them. He slowly moved the hands apart, letting the ball of lightning grow.

  “Cover your ears and close your eyes,” he whispered.

  Ah, fuck this shit!

  Everyone complied. Battista ran to the end of the ledge and threw the ball of lightning down among the soldiers. Iowen felt like the explosion made her ears explode and the bright light made her eyes flash. She followed others as they dropped down among the soldiers. Tal’Secs men quickly cleared the area for the formation. The slaver soldiers were up on their feet quickly and surrounded them. Then the slaughter started. Iowen just kept shooting through the gaps between the Urushnii soldiers. Battista and Alfons were next to her, using hand crossbows to shoot. They weren’t very effective at it though. Who was effective was Tal’Sec and Erik. They mowed down the enemies in scores. The advance was slow. Iowen long lost the count of how many arrows she shot. She had two quivers with fifty arrows each and it didn’t feel like it would be enough. Blood and screams filled the air.

  “ABOVE!” Tal’Sec shouted. Iowen looked up and saw a massive mutated spider crawling over the ceiling.

  “Oh, hell no!” shouted Alfons and spread his hands toward it. From each hand flew a ray of dark purple energy and pierced the spider like a spear. It shrieked and died, pinned to the ceiling.

  “ADVANCE!” Tal’Sec ordered and they did.

  “ALMOST THERE!” he added long minutes later. Iowen’s back was starting to seriously hurt. She kept shooting one arrow after another.

  “HALT!”

  They arrived at the exit of the tunnel. The tunnel had stairs on the edges; soldiers were pouring in through them.

  “We need to stop them for a bit,” Tal’Sec evaluated.

  “I got it,” Bat smiled. He moved to the edge of the formation by the tunnel, shot out his right arm and massive stream of lightning came out. Men screamed as the lightning passed all the way down through the middle hole between the stairs.

  “I’m out,” Bat announced.

  Alfons put his hands on the ground before he lifted them up in a quick motion. Dark purple energy shout out and hit the ceiling. It collapsed. The ceiling fell into a square shape, straight on top of the tunnel. It sealed it completely.

  “I’m out too,” he concurred.

  “Alright, clean up time!” Tal’Sec confirmed.

  I hate you, Lucas… I really do, but I will not discard what you taught me about it. The slaver soldiers were already regrouped and attacking in an organized manner. Kill first, ponder morality after. Iowen kept shooting one arrow after another. The enemy soldiers formed a spear formation and rushed toward them. Kill top to down; it breaks morale. Iowen shot an arrow into the face of the leading man and instantly reached for another. I’m out of arrows!

  Iow
en drew her longsword and got ready to fight. Short concise movements. There is no space for large attacks in a larger battle. The attack split their formation in half. Iowen whirled and stabbed like crazy. When surrounded, keep moving forward. The whole world turned into a blurry mess of weapons, men and blood. Slashes need space; stabs don’t. All her body was in pain, but she kept going. Don’t count enemies for as long as you see one ahead of you. One after another, she kept stabbing and slashing the men around her. They weren’t bad, but she was better. Pain shot out through her body from time to time. Iowen paid it no heed. Wounds are interesting only after you had won the fight. She just kept parrying, slashing and stabbing. Over and over and over again. It felt like an eternity. You won’t realize you are tired until you start thinking about it… so don’t. Suddenly, there was no one to stab. Iowen looked around and saw three other figures standing tall among the bodies. Tal’Sec with his massive greatsword, Erik with the glaive and Robert with two short swords. They stood atop a field of bodies.

  “Guess that’s it,” Tal’Sec evaluated.

  “Good!” sounded from the ground, a body got tossed around and Battista rose up. Alfons soon appeared from under another corpse as well.

  “Hmmm?” Iowen made the sound. It felt like making a sentence was too much effort.

  “We are useless once we get to backlash, so we play dead after,” Battista explained with a smile.

  “Let’s pick up the others, they may still be alive,” Tal’Sec commanded. The rest obeyed and went to lift up the remaining Urushnii warriors. They moved them to the side of the room. Three were dead, the rest was wounded but seemed alive.

  “You fight well,” Tal’Sec turned to Iowen after they inspected the men.

  “Haaa?” she responded.

  “Your steps are precise, blade steady, bow heavy. You fight like a true warrior,” he smiled at her.

  “Eeeehhhh,” Iowen breathed in confusion. It felt strange to be praised. Doubly so because Tal’Sec clearly meant it and knew what he was talking about.

  Lucas…that fucking piece of shit really knows his craft.