The Way of the Ram

by Kevin Hensley

  “Tool of Arghast,” the beast growled. “I have conceived a special death for you.”

  “Come and get me then,” Dreamer shot back.

  The Hogdogger stepped over Healer and came for her. The instant it had put the ram’s body behind it, a flash of blue and red wings emerged from the flames, grabbed hold of Healer, and disappeared with him.

  Dreamer smiled as the Hogdogger bared its jaws and lunged for her. Then it halted. An identical violet-eyed sheep had appeared to her left. Then another to the right.

  The beast’s face changed from rage to confusion and back again as he was stared down by multiple Dreamers. During the Hogdogger’s instant of hesitation, all of the illusory sheep darted away from it. The real Dreamer looked over her shoulder as she escaped under cover of Ponder’s deception.

  Mauler exploded from the shroud of black smoke and slammed into the Hogdogger so hard he sent it sprawling across the square.

  Chapter 93

  Ponder set Healer down by the river, where she splashed water on his face and encouraged him to use his power on himself until all of his wounds had closed up.

  “Drink,” she commanded. “You have lost a lot of blood.”

  “I’m fine,” he protested, but she did not let up until he took in a few mouthfuls of river water. He swallowed and took a deep breath. “You came back.”

  “You honestly thought we would let you deal with this alone?”

  “I didn’t want to involve you. Where’s Mauler?”

  “In the city, fighting the creature. When Mrs. Flaxer told us what was happening, he somehow knew the Hogdogger was active. I believe he feels responsible for its creation.”

  “I’ve got to help him.”

  “When you get your strength back.”

  “How is everyone doing? Where is Dreamer?”

  “I’m here.”

  Healer turned his head and saw her approaching, her fleece nearly black from the smoke, just like his. They embraced.

  “What happened?” he asked. “Where’s Caper?”

  “He’s over there with the birds. Specter attacked us. Caper got pretty beat up and one of his wings is broken. He’s fine, though. I’m worried about you.”

  “I’ll be alright. Let me see him. I need everyone at full strength before I go back in there.”

  Dreamer took Healer over to the group of birds, most of whom sat in a circle around Caper. The old owl was on his feet, but his left wing was curled gingerly against his body. He gave a soft smile when he laid eyes on his charge.

  “Healer, I’m sure glad to see you,” Caper said. “I think you’ll be happy to know that we were successful. Dreamer made contact with Optera.”

  The ram replied with a deep, respectful nod that was almost a bow. “Thank you for taking her there. And protecting her, from the looks of it.”

  “It was nothing. Specter caught me by surprise, that’s all. A fair fight would have turned out much differently.”

  Healer grinned. “Whatever you say.” His eyes flared green as he went to work on Caper’s wing and the cuts in his back. Caper stretched his wing and found that he could move it again.

  “Anyone else injured?” Healer called. Wender the blue jay came to his side, and Dreamer led a few more sheep over to him. He quickly took care of their cuts and burns.

  That task done, he looked at the burning city. Two figures were climbing the side of the Chugg National Bank & Trust.

  “Mauler’s alone in there,” he said. “I can’t wait any longer.” He addressed Dreamer, Shiver, and Caper. “I need the three of you to get into the Megatropolis and make sure no one made it into that sheep farm. Can you do that?”

  “On it,” Shiver said. Caper agreed.

  Healer rounded on Ponder. “Take me up there. I’m going to help Mauler.”

  The birdlike creature spread her wings and took hold of his shoulders.

  “Wait,” Dreamer said. “I have a better idea. Caper should fly Healer up there instead. Ponder, you should come with us. The birds will listen to you. The bigger the group we can bring into the Megatropolis, the better off we’ll be.”

  Ponder hesitated. “Well…” She glanced at Healer. “Please do not let Mauler get hurt.”

  “I won’t. He’s my responsibility.” Healer motioned Shiver over. “Dreamer’s right. Get with Ledger and see how many dogs will come along with you.”

  Shiver nodded and went off to find the old Dane. Healer kissed Dreamer goodbye. He was about to go to Caper when a hoof grabbed his foreleg.

  “Healer,” Swifter said. “What can I do?”

  After thinking for a minute, Healer clapped Swifter on the shoulder and pointed to the crowd of sheep. “Take care of them,” he said.

  Swifter nodded. “I’ll try, man.”

  As Healer rose into the air in Caper’s talons, he watched the others splitting up to fulfill the tasks he had given them.

  I’m leading them, Dad, he thought. Just like you told me. Even though I’m only doing what I think you would do if you were here. Hopefully it’s enough to get us out of this.

  Chapter 94

  Ponder was still staring at the burning tower when Dreamer approached her.

  “Hey,” Dreamer said. “We’re going.”

  “Oh…” Ponder turned, and Dreamer saw that her wide-eyed face was drawn out with fright.

  The sheep took hold of her friend’s shoulder. “They’ll be fine.”

  “I wish I shared your confidence.”

  “It’s Healer and Mauler. All they’ve wanted to do since they met was take on this evil side-by-side. Remember what Karkus told them at the shrine? Together, they’re the most destructive force in the world. They’ve been living for this day. Is that enough for you? Can you help us with what we need to do?”

  Ponder’s face changed to determination. “Yes. You are right, as you always are. Mauler has his purpose, and I have mine.”

  She spread her wings and took to the air. Dreamer shuddered with wonder and anticipation as she watched her scarlet friend flying over the group of birds. Ponder’s eyes became overcast with violet.

  “Birds, we need your services again!” she called out, using her power to amplify her voice. “The pigs have led our friends the sheep to slaughter! Toxid intends to turn them into an infinite food source so that he will have no more need for us! Will you accept that? Optera cries out for your help. Save our world! Save our fellow people!”

  They did not mobilize right away but looked amongst themselves. Then Mrs. Flaxer stepped out in front of the group.

  “It’s Ponder the Prophet! Hear her voice! Look at her eyes! I’m going with her. Who’s with me?” She flew after Ponder. Her family followed, as did Wender. Bolstered by their enthusiasm and enraptured by Ponder’s enhanced charisma, the rest of the birds took off for the Megatropolis.

  “Follow them, men!” Ledger thundered to the dogs around him. Boxer’s students shouted with approval, helping to rally the others.

  Dreamer and Shiver were left alone with a group of timid city sheep.

  “That’s your people in there!” Shiver bellowed. “Come on, show a little backbone! You’ve had enough of your friends and family disappear over the years to know the blood sacrifices aren’t just rumors! You think these pigs have your best interests in mind? Are you going to let them keep killing your husbands, wives, children, brothers, and sisters? It’s time we showed those pigs we’re not having it anymore! We can be free! What do you say?”

  At first the sheep were hesitant. Then Swifter stepped out in front of the group.

  “I’m going with them!” he shouted. “The more of us that go, the better! I’m not afraid!”

  Instinctively, a few sheep followed his display of leadership. Then more and more came after, until the whole group was moving in the direction of the Megatropolis. Swept up in the moment, they joined everyone else already streaming through the open gate.

  That was how an alliance of sheep, dogs, and birds, at least a thousand st
rong, stormed the city of pigs.

  Chapter 95

  Dripping from a dozen cuts and bites, Mauler backpedaled in a wide circle to get some distance from his much stronger opponent. The Hogdogger bore a few deep gashes of its own but did not seem as affected. Its yellow bug eyes bulged out in bloodlust.

  The clone charged. Mauler tried to sidestep, but he was not fast enough. He was caught and lifted off the ground as the Hogdogger ran him into the wrought-iron fence bordering the city square. The bars bowed and snapped under the impact of Mauler’s body. The Hogdogger held him by the neck and parted its jaws to bite into his face. Mauler grabbed hold of one of the broken iron stakes and plunged it into the monster’s upper arm, eliciting a guttural squeal of pain. He got loose and slipped away, running back across the square. His eyes fell on the broken fountain and the metal sculpture of Arghast lying in the grass.

  By the time the Hogdogger recovered and turned around, the five-petaled bronze flower was cartwheeling across the ground like a saw blade. The pig-dog shrieked and threw up its arms to protect itself from the brunt of the impact. The point of one of the petals pierced deeply into its chest, and yet the wound was not fatal.

  Mauler lunged, swinging the twisted statue of Optera over his head. He brought it down to crush the Hogdogger’s skull. The possessed beast lifted the bronze Arghast figure to block the oncoming blow. The two metal figures clashed together and were thrown aside. The Hogdogger fell on its back, but it kicked Mauler’s leg out from under him and went on the offensive again. Mauler was slammed to the ground, his face pressed against the pavement.

  Mauler.

  The red beast stopped struggling at the voice calling his name.

  Mauler, listen. It is I, your creator.

  “No.” Mauler flexed his body and tried to get away. But the Hogdogger pinned him with one arm twisted up behind his back.

  The Healer has won my favor through courage and he has requested that I destroy this Hogdogger. I choose to do so through you.

  Gritting his teeth, Mauler ignored the voice of Karkus and resumed trying to wrestle the Hogdogger off him. But he could feel that his shoulder was going to break any second now.

  You cannot win on your own. This abomination wields the very strength of Toxid. I can counter this. But I want everyone in the land to witness my glory when I do. Everyone will see that it was Karkus who saved them from the beast. Climb to the top of the tallest building and it will follow you. Up there, where everyone in the plains can see, we will kill the Hogdogger together. Go now.

  Mauler felt an otherworldly surge of strength that was not his own, allowing him to easily throw the Hogdogger off and free his arm. But as soon as he stood, that power was gone. He hesitated while his opponent was getting to its feet. He really did not want to have anything to do with Karkus.

  Look at the horrendous wounds you have inflicted on the monster. And yet it stands. You cannot kill it. My enemy Toxid uses it as a meat puppet. You need my help.

  Exasperated, Mauler turned toward the bank. Flames spurted from the building’s doorway and windows, and its decorative surface had peeled off to reveal blackened brick and cinderblock underneath. It looked like it had been burned from the inside and reduced to its frame.

  “It’s a deal,” he muttered under his breath. He took a running jump and started to climb the building in a series of leaps. The Hogdogger followed in the same fashion. Mauler fought his hardest to stay ahead, but he could hear the beast just behind him, trying to catch him and throw him back down to the square. He had to hold his breath and squint his eyes shut as he passed through the heaviest layer of smoke hovering a few hundred feet in the sky. Then he broke through into much fresher air. A second later, he was on the roof.

  Dead power lines, television antennas, and an air conditioning unit surrounded him. Above, bolted I-beam struts supported the Chugg National Bank & Trust version of the snout-and-tusks standard Chugg insignia. Above that was a metallic, car-sized image of Charlie Chugg’s smiling face. The intense heat was causing the metal structures to shift and sway.

  The Hogdogger burst onto the roof and faced him. Its face curled up into a cruel smile.

  “This is the hill on which Karkus has chosen to die,” the clone gurgled. Mauler gazed at it in wonder. Before his eyes, the Hogdogger’s mouth stretched open unnaturally wide. A second and third pair of black, insectoid, segmented jaws protruded from its mouth. A line of drool fell from its mouth onto the roof. Behind it, a column of black smoke was rising, enveloping that side of the building, taking shape into something much more hideous.

  The smoke formed into a crested head with multiple sets of jaws, hovering above the Hogdogger. A wide chest covered in a bumpy exoskeleton faded into the blanket of black smoke down below. Snapping claws reached out on innumerable pairs of arthropod limbs, creeping toward Mauler from over the edge of the roof. A pair of yellow eyes glared down at him.

  “Toxid,” Mauler rasped.

  “You die,” the sibilant voice of the god rang out. The curved jaws of Toxid and the fanged mouth of the Hogdogger moved in unison. “Then the dogs die. Then the birds. Karkus and Optera shall thus die. The world and the sheep I crave will be the domain of my pigs. Once I have consumed the life force of Optera and Karkus, I will be strong enough to throw down Arghast. Then… there will be only Toxid.”

  Deep, barking laughter sounded behind Mauler, making him spin around. A wall of flames had leapt up the other side of the building behind him. The flames took shape into a muscled body made of skins, long bone claws, and a hairy head with a face of nothing but curved, sharp teeth.

  “My dogs are united,” Karkus roared, “while your pigs run around trying to complete your scheme without a leader. You inhabited this body to get at the sheep’s blood you so desperately crave. You’ve made yourself go without for quite a while, haven’t you? I’m gaining in strength while your power wanes. There is only one possible outcome of this battle. You had best pray that I feel merciful once you are lying at my feet.”

  Mauler felt that boost in power again, and he leapt for the Hogdogger. Toxid’s beast met him in midair. They hit the roof and rolled over and over, clawing and biting. The two gods watched the fight, facing each other from opposite sides of the tower.

  Chapter 96

  “Come on! Mauler is alone up there!”

  Holding a foreleg over his face, Healer tried to keep his eyes open. The glowing ashes and unrelenting heat from the burning city battered at him and Caper as they flew over the square.

  The owl powered his wings in response to Healer’s call and made one more attempt to pierce the blanket of dark smoke above them. He only lasted a few seconds before having to dip back down into the unbearably hot but breathable air.

  “I’m sorry…” he gasped. “I can’t…”

  “Damn. We’re going to have to figure out something else.”

  Caper made a circle around the bank, which was tall enough to pierce through the smoke cover. “Can you go up from the inside?”

  “I doubt it. Looks like the interior is burning out.”

  “I’ve got to rest. You’re not the tiny young lamb you used to be.” Caper turned into a descent, setting Healer down just outside the city limits.

  Healer paced back and forth and looked up at the spreading smoke. “I guess you wouldn’t have the strength to fly us out to where the smoke thins out, and then double back above it?”

  “Not at all. We’d have to go out over the ocean, looks like. There is no way I could make it.”

  “We’ve got to help Mauler.” Healer sat, defeated, and looked across the plains. “Wait a second… Caper, look over there. Toward the mountains.”

  “That’s quite a storm on the way.”

  Both of them watched the rolling clouds passing over Ptera Peak and the sheet of rain they brought along. The clouds flashed and crackled with pent-up energy yearning to be unleashed.

  Healer grinned. “You said Dreamer got through to Optera, right? Take a
minute to rest. Our chance is coming.”

  Chapter 97

  At the head of their advancing wave, Dreamer gritted her teeth. Ponder walked beside her, as did Shiver, Ledger, and Swifter. The four Flaxers rode on her back. The angry crowd of dogs, sheep, and birds followed close behind, united in purpose.

  They streamed down the main road from the Megatropolis gate, encountering no resistance. The mechanical guns atop the wall sat inert, crippled. The few downtown pigs they did see fled from them and disappeared inside apartment buildings. The construction crews, Hork included, made no attempt to stop them. The electronic eyes affixed to the walls and roofs, however, swiveled in the direction of the crowd.

  “There!” Ponder cried out, taking to the air. She ascended to the level of the rooftops and pointed. “Blind them! Cover the advance! Do not let the pigs prepare their defenses!”

  The birds surged forward at her direction, swarming around the buildings and striking at the glass lenses with their beaks. The sheep and dogs continued ahead.

  Once they crossed the commuter rail and into the uptown district, they caught up with the last group of sheep being ushered onto the grounds of the Chugg compound.

  The small group of dogs leading the captive sheep saw their fellows moving in their direction and realized something was wrong. They hurried out of the way, allowing the oncoming invaders to absorb the captured sheep into their midst.

  Ahead lay the long, low bunker, tucked back among the various Chugg Corporation buildings. A banner proclaiming the facility as a “SHEEP SAFE ZONE” had been festooned across the entire front face of the building.

  “That’s it!” Dreamer called out to the assembly behind her. “They’re bringing all the sheep in there to clone them and farm their blood! Don’t let them hurt any of our people!”

  Guz stood on the roof, watching the unfolding commotion with a horrified expression. He picked up a walkie-talkie and began to shout. “Guards! The front!”