The Path of Man (The Soul Stone Trilogy Book 1)

by Matt Moss

  The big man held Stubbs there momentarily, for everyone to see, before letting him fall.

  Arkin screamed as tears rolled down his face. He unleashed hate at the first man coming at him. Arkin ran his sword through the man’s gut, then let him fall with a scream of agony. More climbed the hill, all lusting for blood.

  Torin, Master Coll, Billy, and Cain were all engaged, swords flying as they cut men down. Arkin didn’t notice. He didn’t notice the other members of the Order fighting alongside him either. He wasn’t sure of their names anyway.

  All he saw was red.

  The men in front of him aimed to take everything away. Arkin lost control, fighting savagely. Bodies fell around him as he pushed down the hill.

  He blocked a sword from the side, spun away from a slash, and kicked a man in the chest that sent him flying down the hill into a smoldering shop.

  Arkin ducked a sword, cut off a man’s leg, and heard bones crunch when his elbow drove into another man’s face.

  His reflexes were lightning and he moved like water, but he was unaware of it. He was lost in the feeling, taken by the flow of the tap.

  Before long, Arkin found himself alone. He turned up the hill, finding Torin and the others finishing their foes. He felt the thrill of victory before the tap wore off, leaving him suddenly drained.

  At that moment, he realized how far he’d traveled down the hill, fighting all the way.

  As he turned, he heard Torin yell his name. Then he saw Victor. Beside him was the big man who killed Stubbs. Eight more men, all with the look of trained killers, stood behind the High Priest.

  “Arkin, is it?” Victor said. “You’re Levi’s son. I knew your father well.” He grinned at Arkin. “I’ve heard about you. How’s the training here at the great Grand Highlands coming along?” he mocked. “The Prophet teach you anything?”

  Arkin glared at the man, unafraid. His cold stare went from Victor to the big man beside him. The demon wore a smile on his face.

  “Would you do something for me?” Victor asked. “Go and tell Torin that this can all end. No one else has to die. All he and the rest of the Order must do is bow to me and commit their lives to the Religion.”

  Arkin grinded his teeth, unable to speak. The grip on his sword tightened.

  “Run along now,” the big man said, smirking, with his hand on his sword ready to draw.

  Arkin took a good look at all the men’s faces before he turned and walked away.

  He climbed the hill, promising himself, his father, and God that he would end Victor.

  “You’re lucky to be alive,” Master Coll said as Arkin approached.

  “What did Victor say?” Torin asked.

  “You don’t want to know,” Arkin said.

  “Come out with it.”

  Arkin cocked his head, then looked at Torin “He said you have to bend a knee, along with everyone else.” He paused, then began to speak. “Nobody else...

  “And nobody else would die?” Torin asked, intently.

  “Torin! What are you doing?” Billy said.

  Torin ignored him, waiting on Arkin’s reply.

  Arkin nodded. “That’s what he said.”

  “Torin, that’s not gonna happen,” Billy stated.

  “What then, fight and die?” Torin snapped. “I’m trying to save everyone in there!” He pointed at the Lodge

  Arkin thought of Lyla.

  “What are you so afraid of, Torin?” Billy asked.

  Torin jerked his head, motioning down the hill. “All of those men down there can soul tap. There’s ten of them and only five of us.”

  “I don’t care,” Billy protested. “We have to try!

  “What about the stones?” Cain asked. “Let’s use them.”

  Torin took a deep breath and looked away.

  “There are no stones, are there?” Master Coll asked, noticing Torin’s demeanor.

  “There are, but they’re of no use to us now.” Torin said. “Communication stones are all that’s left.”

  Arkin looked down the hill and saw Victor and his men becoming impatient.

  “What are we going to do?” Cain looked to Torin.

  “Go inside. We’ll make our stand there.” Torin said.

  “What’s to stop them from torching the place?” Billy said.

  “Victor won’t,” Master Coll said. “He knows there’s valuable information in there. Stones too. He wants it.”

  Torin nodded agreement then turned to Arkin. “Arkin, take everyone who can walk and lead them through the mountain pass.”

  “So we’re giving up and running away?” Billy asked. “We need all the help we can get!”

  “Were not giving up!” Torin said. “Just preparing for the worst. Arkin is tapped out anyways.”

  He continued to instruct Arkin. “Stay on the path until it meets the river. Follow that for three days. Look for a guide stone alongside the path, then head west to the hills. The camp lies beyond the two waterfalls.”

  Arkin nodded.

  “You get all that?” Torin asked.

  “Yes. Got it.”

  “Let’s get to it then,” Torin said and turned to face Victor as the rest of the men walked inside. He stared down the hill at the High Priest in defiance.

  Looking down, he found a sword lying on the ground.

  With as much force as he could muster, he hurled the blade at Victor. It flew through the air, end over end, until it stuck in the ground a few paces in front of him.

  Victor walked to the blade and pulled it from the ground.

  Torin turned and walked inside.

  Cain looked around the room at all the blood and bodies. He fought the urge to throw up as the overwhelming smell of death tugged at his senses. Most of men had died from their injuries, but there were some that yet lived, moaning in what would be their last moments.

  After steadying himself against a column, he went to find Lyla.

  “Cain.” Torin said, entering the Lodge. “Help Billy with the door.”

  “Sir,” Cain replied and helped Billy shut the giant wooden doors. They strained to lift the massive piece of wood onto the brackets, locking the door in place.

  The room went dark as Torin closed the slats on the roof. The cliffs on either side of the building were too steep to scale, but it made him feel safer regardless.

  “I’m going to look for Lyla,” Cain told Billy, then began to sprint towards the back. He stopped, seeing Arkin gather a group of people and ushering them out the back.

  That’s when he saw Lyla. She frantically helped move the people out the door. Dr. Arze carried a man out while the women training under him aided in the retreat.

  Cain began to move to Lyla, desperately wanting to embrace her. He stopped when he saw Arkin pull her close. She pressed her body to his and upon release, passionately kissed him.

  Cain watched as time seemed to stop. She looked so beautiful.

  After the kiss ended, Arkin spoke to her. She nodded, let his hand slip from hers, turned, and left with the others.

  Cain felt numb, broken.

  He heard movement on the other side of the barred door. Then a sound — flint on stone.

  He didn’t hear Torin and Billy yelling at him to get back. He just stood there and watched Arkin go out the back door. He wondered why neither of his friends even looked back before they left.

  They never even said goodbye, he thought.

  The doors disappeared behind him in a blast of thunder, splinters, and smoke.

  He flew through the air with the smell of sulfur and burned wood in his nostrils until it all went black.

  Cain awoke, finding himself lying on the ground. He opened his eyes to blinding light streaming through the doorway. Shadows entered and began to move into the room.

  His ears rang, but he made out the distinct sound of steel clashing as he pushed himself up to his knees.

  A body flew by him and crashed against a wall. He turned his throbbing head towards the doorway.<
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  Billy charged at two men. The movements were a blur, but Cain’s senses and extensive training came back to him.

  He saw Billy clash swords with both men, dodge a blow, then cleave his sword into the chest of one man. As he pulled the blade free, another man ran his sword through Billy’s chest. Billy tried to scream, but choked as blood spewed from his mouth. Wide eyed, he grabbed the arm that held the sword and brought his own up to press through the man’s neck.

  Cain’s eyes went wide as he watched both men fall to the ground. He glanced left, finding Torin and Master Coll fighting side by side. The old Master of Arms wielded his sword with two hands, moving like water.

  Torin had both axes blurring in a whirlwind of fury.

  Cain had never seen Torin actually fight before; he had only trained with the big man. He had heard stories of his travels on the road, fighting off bandits, but had never witnessed his ferocity. He noticed the big man moved like Coll, with more power, but not as smooth. Years of training reflected.

  Both men fought savagely. Each dropped a foe in a spray of blood, but were quickly pressed back by an onslaught of attacks. It was now four on two.

  As he watched, Cain wondered who trained the other men to fight. They were impressive. It wasn’t long before he noticed them moving like Master Coll too. The way they positioned their feet, their posture, all of it clearly influenced by the old master.

  Were they the former members of the Order? Cain thought.

  They pushed Torin and Coll apart.

  Torin ducked a slash, rolled to miss a vicious overhead chop, then took his attacker’s foot off at the ankle, dropping the man to the floor. Torin spun to his feet, barely pulling both axes up in time to block a sword from another man.

  Torin kicked the man in the chest, sending him crashing into a wooden support beam. He moved to finish the kill, then yelled in pain as the one-footed man on the floor drove a sword into his leg. Torin pulled his leg free, knocked the sword away, then stomped the man’s head through the floorboards.

  Torin turned to find the second attacker coming at him again. The man screamed and swung, attempting a desperate two-handed slash. Torin ducked, narrowly missing the blade. He swept the man’s legs with one arm and buried an axe in his chest with the other, slamming him to the ground.

  Cain shook his head, trying to clear the fog, and looked to Master Coll.

  The old man drove his sword down into a fallen foe’s chest. He pulled it free as another sword came at his face.

  Sword and man flew as Torin’s axe hit him mid-step.

  Coll turned to Torin and nodded thanks. Torin nodded back. Both breathed, satisfied that the fight was over.

  Victor clapped in approval, drawing their gaze. The big man beside him held a drawn bow, aimed at Torin. His eyes held pure hate with a hint of ecstasy.

  “Well done,” Victor said and slowly stopped clapping. “The Order does indeed live up to its reputation.”

  Torin’s hand shifted, his fingers feeling on his remaining axe.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Victor told Torin. “Drop it.”

  Torin hesitantly let the weapon slide with a thud onto the floor.

  “You too, Master Coll,” Victor sighed. “Sword, please.”

  Coll threw it away in disgust.

  “Thank you.” Victor grinned. “Now, did you receive my message from Arkin?”

  Torin glared at the priest.

  “Where is the young man, anyway?” Victor said, scanning the room. “I don’t see him.”

  “He’s gone,” Torin said.

  “Pity.” Victor rubbed his hands. “Well, I suppose I’ll tell you myself.”

  “Save your breath,” Torin spat. “I’ll gladly die before I kneel to you.”

  Victor shook his head. “I’m sorry to hear that, and I’m rather disappointed in you, Torin. But that seems to be the case for you. Always the disappointment.” He looked at Torin with pity, a slight grin creeping upon his face.

  Cain made his way to his feet.

  “What’s your name?” Victor asked.

  “Go to Hell,” Cain grumbled.

  Victor frowned. “I’ll offer you the same deal. Kneel before me, pledge your life to my service, and I’ll reward you handsomely for it. Refuse and die. Your choice.”

  Cain didn’t reply.

  “I’ll come back to you in a moment then,” Victor said, then looked at Coll.

  “What do you say, Master of Arms?”

  “I’d say I’ll see you in Hell,” Coll said and spat.

  The arrow thrummed from the bow and buried itself in Coll’s chest. The old master stepped back with a groan, looked down, and broke the arrow off. He attempted to reach for the arrowhead that protruded from his back before falling onto the floor.

  “No!” Cain shouted and grabbed a nearby sword.

  “Cain, stop!” Torin said, raising his arm. Cain saw that the big man already had another arrow drawn back, aiming at him.

  “You bastards!” Cain cried. “I’ll kill you!”

  “I guess I have your answer then,” Victor said.

  “Stop this!” Torin said to Victor then eyed Karn. “Come on, Karn, put the bow down.” Torin pulled his armor off, leaving him bare-chested. “Let’s see if you’ve gotten any better.” He put his fists up.

  Karn smiled and let the tension off the bow. “Alright, Torin,” he said and handed the bow to Victor. “For old time’s sake.”

  Cain saw the opening and made a dash.

  “I wouldn’t,” Victor said, swiftly drawing an arrow at Cain, stopping him in his tracks.

  Karn unbuckled his armor and threw it to the floor. “This time, it’s to the death,” he said.

  The two men charged each other. Colliding with savage force, they began to trade blows.

  Cain watched helplessly as the two giants fought.

  Torin snapped Karn’s head back with his left jab before stepping in to throw a right hook that sent Karn flying.

  Karn shook off the blow, working his jaw as he stood. He spat blood and grinned with a mouthful of red teeth.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re an ugly sumbitch?” Torin said.

  Karn roared and charged at Torin. The two men collided again and the fight went to the ground. Karn fought his way on top and began to rain hammer fists onto Torin’s face.

  Cain heard Torin’s nose crunch as blood spewed from his face.

  Torin grabbed an arm and rolled, taking the top position, trapping Karn’s arm under his knee. Torin restrained Karn’s free arm and began slamming elbows into his face over and over again with all his weight behind it.

  Karn bucked his hips and threw Torin off balance enough to get his arm free. Through blood filled eyes, Karn found Torin’s axe lying on the ground. He brought it up to cleave into Torin’s side.

  Torin cried out in pain as he moved to control Karn’s free arm.

  Raising his head up, Karn bit into Torin’s neck. Torin roared as Karn ripped away a mouthful of flesh.

  Unable to stop watching, Cain panicked as Karn began to work to his knees. Torin countered by sliding behind him. He wrapped his arm around Karn’s neck, locking a choke in and threw his legs around Karn, trapping his arms. Torin threw his head back, straining, and squeezed with all his might.

  He yelled as Karn’s eyes began to bulge, his mouth gaped open, searching for air.

  Die, Cain begged, please, just die.

  He saw the life drain from Karn. Then he noticed something was wrong. Torin’s grip loosened as his strength began to fade. Cain saw the blood pooling around Torin. Torin’s eyelids began to droop as Karn began to gain purchase on air.

  Torin faded, letting his arms fall.

  Karn rolled off him, gasping.

  Tears flowed from Cain’s eyes. He raised his sword and moved towards Victor.

  The High Priest lowered the bow and threw it to the side.

  Cain charged, unleashing everything he had.

  Victor held both
arms at his side and moved like a silk in the wind, dodging and sidestepping Cain’s attack.

  Cain dug deeper, pushing harder. Victor ducked a blow and punched Cain in the chest to send him flying.

  Cain coughed blood and got to his feet. Victor bent to pick up a sword.

  Cain charged and pushed the fight outside.

  “Bow to me,” Victor said, blocking Cain’s strikes.

  “Never!” Cain said and rammed his shoulder into Victor’s chest. The priest flew backwards with a crash on the ground.

  Victor stood and brushed the dirt from his white robe. “Impressive,” he said, then charged.

  His blows became a blur and caught Cain by surprise. Cain tapped deeper and fought back. His sword drew Victor’s blood and he saw the priest’s eyes go wide. A kick sent the Victor stumbling back.

  “You’ve taken everything from me!” Cain cried.

  Victor wiped the blood from his face, put a finger to his lips, and tasted it. “I can give you the world,” he said. “Last chance.”

  “You’ve nothing to offer but your life,” Cain said, adjusting his stance.

  Victor closed his eyes and held his arms out wide.

  Cain felt the power emanating from the priest.

  Victor opened his eyes, now pure white. “Let me show you the power that you can possess if only you let yourself go,” he said, his voice transformed.

  Cain grit his teeth and dashed forward, pulling every bit of strength he could.

  Victor met his sword with blinding speed and they began to trade blows. The priest’s force quickly overwhelmed Cain.

  Terror gripped him, and Cain’s arms went numb from the power. Falling backwards, his sword went flying.

  Victor dropped his sword and began to beat on Cain with his fists.

  Again, the darkness took him.

  Sometime later, Cain awoke, nearly blind. He heard two voices as he gazed into a dark gray sky.

  “What do you mean let him live?”

  “He may prove to be useful. A man with nothing left to live for is a valuable tool if handled properly.”

  “Sounds dangerous. Just let me kill him and be done with it.”

  “No. Bring him with us. He reminds me of someone.”

  The words faded as Cain’s world went black.