Vhadrah- Evolution of HiSkale

by Ambear Shellea

  “Awaken, my warrior.”

  My eyes flew open and I reached for my sword. I gasped when I realized it was not in my hands. Again, Odin whispered to me.

  “Be calm, my warrior. Open your eyes, listen, and watch. She is here.”

  I pulled my gaze from the sky and toward battle a few feet away. The enemy hot on the heels of another. Assuming I had perished, they had sought someone new. I was amazed. Odin was right. I had found her. She was here...And making me immensely proud.

  I perched onto my elbows and watched as she fought with courage very few ever find. She was not seasoned, that was plain to see, but she held her own, nevertheless. She moved, she swung, and cleaved parts of the enemy they didn't want to part with.

  The Army of Darkness, knowing she was but a villager, were toying with her. Yet, many times, they regretted such an act.

  Watching her fight, I knew she was the one...but looking at her, the woman, I was unsure. She was small, in size and height. Her frame, paunchy and untoned. Perhaps that is what Odin saw in her. She did not bear the markings of a warrior, but it was easy to see, she had the heart of one.

  Her skin tone, tanned, and clean of scars gave way to the assumption she was a poor villager, maybe a farmer's daughter, or a merchant. Her delicate frame suggested she had an easy life. One free of physical hard labor. Her lack of height gave the idea perhaps she was the runt of her kind.

  I began to question Odin's choice.

  Are you sure she is the one? Her hair is fair, her skin is like that of a doll, and her legs only bring her so far up. Not to mention, she is but a human girl, not a child of the Goddess.

  His reply came quickly, and with scorn, but gentle as he always did when he was questioned.

  My warrior don’t question me. If I tell you, she is the one I have chosen, then she is the one I have chosen. I see things you do not.

  I did not question further. I knew he was correct. I did not know the things he did, I am not a God. It was not my place. My place, as his chosen warrior, was to do as instructed. There had been many times, I sought to question, only to see later that he had chosen correctly.

  I grabbed a sword closest to me and joined the battle once more.

  Man. Reptile. Abomination.

  I cleared a path from myself to the young maiden of Odin's Choice, taking down any opposition in my way. I still had much ground to cover, but the few times I dared a look in her direction, she was still holding her own. She wasn't efficient, but she was deadly enough. The enemy, when they tried, paid the price for underestimation. This little warrior was certainly making them earn every step they took from her.

  I could tell she was losing strength, her body tiring from overexertion. Her swings were more focused, and slower. Jumping back into the fray, I rushed forward, blocking and ducking, as I went. She needed to heal before she lost and perished. Odin would not take kindly to his chosen falling to her death.

  She was a few feet away now. When the Hiskale advanced, they were rewarded with spikes in the face, courtesy of my bracers. They were surprised, as was I, since most weapons can't penetrate the scales that cover them. They had to be sharp, and with a fine tip. Swords, and pikes, worked well, but arrows and daggers, were almost useless. They didn't like fire, I noticed, but one had to get the fire through the scales for it to have any effect. That was a disappointment. They truly were an abhorrent creature.

  Man. Reptile. Abomination.

  Their blood put off a foul stench, and scorched my armor, and boots. Not to mention, the thick residue left behind when you did manage to stab them. It slowed and cost many their lives. Wielding a sword dipped in honey, with every swing, or so that is how it seemed. It was a constant need to swing, kill, and clean. One had to be quick to overcome it or die.

  Finally, I was close enough to hear her grunt at the effort of swinging my sword. Two more heads removed, and I was right behind her. Matching her movements, I was able to avoid her blade while I held my hand to her, releasing a flow of healing magic.

  Her intense focus on the enemy, and avoiding steel claws, she never noticed I touched her. However, she attacked with renewed strength. Between the two of us, we managed to take back some ground.

  It wouldn't be enough.

  The sun was quickly plummeting into the earth, as the day came to close, taking the light with it. The oncoming storm, bringing dark fluffy clouds, began extinguishing the moon's light, making the battle more dangerous by the second.

  I scanned the battlefield, looking for Odin's chosen. This skirmish would have to wait for daybreak. With the dawning of each new shadow, they gained twice as much ground. They would be crushing us sooner, rather than later.

  It was time to go.

  There, three lines of the enemy away, she stood, sword in hand, still hacking away bits of those who dared to get close. Her clothes covered, and smeared, with her efforts and missteps.

  I took one last look at the sky and bolted in her direction. We had but a few minutes before the darkness of the enemy, and nightfall, descended on us with new vigor. HiSkale draw power from the darkness. From the wicked thoughts, evil deeds, and lawless behavior that seep from the minds of men, filling a void of space not allowed in the light. To survive, it whispers monstrous intent into the hearts of ungodly men.

  One always feeding the other.

  If we stayed, she would be devoured, and I would fail.

  I paused for only a second when I got close. I nearly lost an eye for my trouble, but I was finally within earshot.

  “Little Warrior, we must go...and quickly.”

  When she spun to swing, I ducked, grabbing her sword hand. “We must go.” I urged.

  Shock was always the reaction I received when people looked at me. They all saw death, and several wondered if it was them, I came for. I was used to it, but today, I just didn't have time. The shock she wore was for a different reason, and I understood that, but explanations would have to wait.

  I shook her slightly, “I will explain later, little warrior. Now we must go.”

  I gave her seconds to respond, when she hesitated, I tightened my grip on her arm, and we were off. I had hoped the sight of the Dark Valkyrie fleeing the scene would seem like victory, and the advancing horde would change direction.

  I was both, right and wrong.

  The bulk of the force was so busy celebrating an early victory to even notice I was still alive, or the trail of bodies, like breadcrumbs, I was leaving behind. A bloody path that would lead right to us. I was glad the sun was setting. It was odd, the thing setting the enemy upon us, would also be what saved us.

  The Darkness.

  As it advanced upon the innocent, delivering death and destruction, would this night, also offer safety, and sanctuary.

  When the last of my 'death to the Valkyrie' followers went face down in the mud, I led us further into the dark, swallowing us from sight.

  It wouldn't last long.

  The Storm Master was approaching, letting loose the sky drums that echoed below. Heavy booms, vibrated the surrounding trees, announcing just how close it was to us. Soon, lightening would paint the sky, lighting up the realm, in flashes. Not enough to fully give away your position, but enough to alert a watchful eye of our escape. More were coming.

  Odin was with us.

  A bolt if lightening struck a nearby tree, splintering out behind, coating the enemy in wooden shrapnel and leaves. It had taken out half of those in pursuit. The next flash of light had been a beacon for me. A spotlight toward the place I was to go.

  There to right, beyond the rock wall was a small crevice only big enough for those of slender builds. With Odin's chosen in tow, I switched our direction and headed straight for it. Once we reached the rock face, I stopped, motioning her to slide through.

  The small pause had cost me though. As the woman worked to shimmy herself deeper in, I had to turn and fight. HiSkale floated just above the ground, their poisonous venom falling like rain. I heard it sizzle when it hit
my skin, but I was too intent on fighting them off to notice the pain.

  Three, four, now five, lay at my feet, dead, yet more hovered above. The scales covering them made it hard to penetrate unless you jammed the sword through. Slices and cuts made no wounds upon the scales. I took my chance when they switched positions, sliding between the rock, and away from the HiSkale.

  Protection and Danger

  The light from the moon, was lost inside the dark dwelling. I could hear Odin's little warrior panting not too far away. I stood, with my back against the rock face, catching my breath and wondering what I should do next. This woman was now under my protection.

  A task given to me by Odin himself.

  In my head, I offered up a small prayer to Odin,

  Father, thank you for the protecting shelter you have provided. Please offer me aid in what to do next.

  Odin's little warrior spoke, breaking the silence and my prayer.

  “Thank you.”

  I turned my head toward her voice, “You're welcome, but what are you thanking me for?”

  Her voice was labored, yet strong, “For not dying, and for saving me.”

  I laughed a bit at the 'not dying' part.

  “Well, little warrior, I think I need to give you a bit of thanks for that as well. I was not dead, but I was out. I know of what you did. The things you said. You're quite the brave one.”

  Her voice was solemn, “I do not think of myself as brave. I just believe that if you don't fight to save yourself, why should anyone else. I didn't want to be out there. I was scared to death the entire time. When I saw you coming down that hill, I just knew, the battle was won, and we would be victorious. Then when I spotted you on the ground...”

  I stopped her from finishing that thought when I heard her voice crack.

  “You fought very well. I am surprised you were able to wield my sword.”

  I knew she had reached her breaking point, and tears would soon follow. She had been brave and fought well. It was the chaos after the storm that would hit her now.

  The waves of adrenaline would recede, and the tides of tears would flood in as the reality of what was done, both by her hand and others, today would swallow her mind and wrack her frame from the intensity of it.

  I waited a few seconds to see if she would speak more, but the soft muffles of sobbing filled the open air between us, and I knew she would need a few moments.

  Battle was hard enough on those who were accustomed to it, but it was far worse for those who were not. The things you never imagined you would ever have to do, the things you thought you would never see or hear and the smell...Dear Odin, the smell of battle is just as gruesome and most stomachs protest it, violently.

  I dropped to my knees and searched the floor for debris to build a small fire, or at the very least, maybe a stick to use as a torch. It was then that I felt it. The danger neither of us knew was there. It never made a sound, never alerted us to its presence. It laid in wait for just the right moment. That moment was just about upon us.

  “Little Warrior...” I said calmly.

  “Yes?” she answered back.

  “I need you to slide your feet forward, in kind of a sweeping motion until you feel my arm. Can you do that?”

  I heard her sniffle, but she answered, “Yes.” in a confused tone. I had no time to explain so I moved this event forward.

  “Good. Now, tell me when you feel my arm.”

  I could hear her feet slowing sliding across the rock as she moved toward me. I hadn't realized she had moved further away when the sobbing started a few moments ago. The seconds were agonizing as I waited to feel her feet against me. The danger had already successfully wrapped itself around my waist twice, it's extremely large head, resting on my right hand, just waiting.

  I worked hard to keep the fear from rippling off my body. Trying to avoid the vibrations of accomplishment that would let my enemy, that was now wrapped a third time around, know that dinner was about ready for the final touch.

  “Little Warrior!” I said harshly,

  “Yes?” she said meekly, still slowly working herself my way.

  “I need you to stop.”

  “Ok.” She replied. “Why?”

  “Do you feel the rock face behind you? Are you still close to it?”

  “Yes. I am using it to help guide me forward. I cannot see in the dark.”

  That was good. She was in the perfect position to change tactics. The original plan was not going to work.

  “Little Warrior keep following the wall toward the opening. Head toward the moonlight seeping in through the crack we came in through.”

  I heard her stop.

  “I can't go there. The enemy will surely still be there.”

  I kept my voice strong and calm, “Little warrior, at present you are being hunted by another enemy, and I need you in the light so that you can see you defend yourself. Keep moving. The HiSkale will have already left and are no longer waiting.”

  I sighed when I heard her feet moving again, and a bit faster. So did the enemy who had me encased and unable to move. It constricted more to keep me in place while it also pursued tomorrow's dinner trying to get away.

  I tried to stop her when I heard her bolt, but it was too late. She was already in full sprint with the giant snake right on her heels. To my surprise, it let loose of me. I wasted no time. I grabbed the part I could feel, wrapped my arms around it and fell backwards, pulling it with me, hoping it was enough to save her.

  It happened quicker than I imagined.

  I felt the snake lunge followed by the sound of steel scarping the rock face. I prayed it was what I had hoped. In the next instant, I felt the weight of the snake fall limp against my chest. I knew it was over.

  I whispered a small prayer to Odin.

  “Little Warrior?” I called.

  Labored, she answered,” Yes?”

  “I take it you killed it?”

  I couldn't see her but hearing the triumph in her voice helped me to relax a bit.

  “Yes! It is dead.”

  I could hear the tip of the sword scratching the rock, I assumed she was shaking, the sword still her grip with the tip touching the floor.

  “Are you alright?” I asked.

  “I think so.” she replied, questioningly.

  “Did it sink fangs or scratch you?”

  “No. It tried. I felt it...I don't know how but I felt it, right behind me, ready to strike. I just turned and swung. I can see the head laying at my feet.”

  I smiled. “That was Odin. He was giving you that feeling, letting you know it was time to swing.”

  I whispered another small prayer of thanks to Odin.

  “Little Warrior, you said you can see the head at your feet?”

  “Yes, it's huge too. Bigger than my own head. I have never seen such a snake before.”

  “Good. I need you to slam that sword of mine, right through the center of that head. Snakes can still bite even after the head has been removed from the body. Plant your feet, raise the sword in both hands and bring down that blade as hard as you can.”

  She must have already known what I was asking. As soon as I was done speaking the words, I heard the sword pierce the skull and then hit rock. It wasn't long after the slick sounds of the sword sliding back through the skull filled the small cavern. It was gross, but glorious. It signaled, for the moment, we were safe.

  Knowing all was clear, I shoved the heavy weight of the coiled snake off and away from me. A moment later, I was back on my feet making my way to the Little Warrior who was making a habit of saving my life today.

  Once I made it to the small sliver of moonlight shinning into the cave, I saw her leaned against the rock, breathing heavily, with her head bowed and eyes closed. I hesitated a moment in case she had been praying. I waited until she raised her head before I spoke to her.

  “Well done, Little Warrior.”

  In the soft light of the moon's rays, I saw a sweet smile cross her fac
e.

  “Thank you,” she said breathlessly.

  I motioned for her to move out into the wilderness. When she was out of the way, I kicked the snake's head out behind her, following it. I switched her sword, for my own. Once in the light. I was shocked. The snake had the same markings and scales of the HiSkale. Careful of the teeth, I examined the head as much I could. The head was a shiny emerald green, it sparkled in the light just as much as the actual stone. The eyes were dark smoldering gold set just above the six-inch blades that served as teeth.

  Dearest Odin...

  “Little Warrior, help me to find a big stick that I can fashion into a torch. I need the rest of this snake.”

  She never asked questions, she sheathed the sword and went to work. As did I. She went to the right of the rock and I went left. I hunted along the rock wall and out toward the shelf of trees. Along the grass laid plenty of debris but nothing I could set fire to for more than a few seconds.

  Halfway up a nearby tree, to break off what I needed to fashion a torch, I heard her voice, yelling. Jumping from the entanglement of branches, I took off toward her voice, sword drawn, ready to kill. Coming around the corner, I nearly knocked her down. She screamed, but I was able to dodge and miss her.

  “What the...Are you alright.” I asked but was completely confused by the smile plastered across her face. It was then I noticed. Her smile had been illuminated. In her hand she waved a torch, an actual torch.

  Perplexed, I asked, “Where did you find that?”

  Her voice was loud as she spoke with excitement, the flame upon the torch shaking with each emphasis she made.

  “I think this is more than some cave. Around the bend, back that way, is a line of torches. I don't know where it leads. I was afraid to go too far, so I just grabbed a loose torch and headed back this way. “

  “Well done, Little Warrior. “

  I was about to take the torch when she pulled it back and spoke.

  “About that name, Little Warrior. As much as I like that, I think I would much prefer to use my given name. Plus, I would very much like to know yours.”