Primeval

by Eden Redd

  Cyndi stopped moving. Stella looked down, the sword stabbed through her thigh, the point exiting out the back. Black blood flowed down the blade.

  “I wi…” Cyndi didn’t finish as Stella’s hand shot out and grabbed her by the throat.

  The witch looked down at Cyndi’s bulging eyes as fingers squeezed, eyes holding an ice-cold indifference. Cyndi caught sight of Will in wolf form coming from around the witch. Arms grabbed onto Stella’s forearms and she lifted up her body. Heel bolting forward, Cyndi gave a strangled grunt as she slammed it again and again against Stella’s face. The first few strikes didn’t cause the witch to blink, but the power behind them grew until a heel strike rocked her head back, black blood spraying upwards from her nose and mouth. Stella’s grip loosened and Cyndi used all her strength to break away and gasp for air. Not letting go, she drove her heel into Stella’s exposed throat.

  Stella stumbled back as Cyndi hit the ground. Coughing, she glanced up to see Will bearing down on her with teeth and claws. Rolling away, claws slashed at dirt. Cyndi was back to her feet as Will growled with contempt. Val struggled to stand as did Morgan. Nova gasped for air while Sil lay unmoving against a tree.

  Claws came down and Cyndi grabbed Will’s furry wrists with a grunt.

  “Who’s stronger now,” Will said with a beastly growl.

  Cyndi drove her shin repeatedly against Will’s side, but the wolf monster didn’t flinch. Bringing her heel up, it smashed under Will’s snout, sending him back a step.

  Cyndi hit the ground and launched into a backflip. Will advanced until he froze, yellow eyes wide. Cyndi landed next to Sil, brow in a hard V.

  “She’s still alive. Hand over the Idol or she won’t be for much longer.”

  Will stood his ground as Stella moved to his side. A flutter of emotion touched his heart as he looked to the unconscious kobold. She did nothing, but fight for him and he promised to help wake her people. The pledge burned along his mind as he knew he couldn’t allow her to die.

  Cyndi let a smirk slip when moans filled the forest. Morgan and Val looked around, the sun gone from the heavens and stars shining. Pale bodies emerged from hidden places, deep in the shadowy forest. Nova struggled to get up, lifting her dagger up with one hand while another hand rubbed her head.

  Cyndi glanced to the forest and then to Will and Stella. “Dammit,” she cursed as she picked up her foot and drove her heel into the tree propping up Sil.

  The trunk of the tree cracked and began to fall forward. Cyndi leapt away as Will bolted forward. Large clawed hands reached up, catching the falling tree, arms bulging. Stella dove forward, grabbing Sil and leaping away. Will snarled as he turned the tree and let it crash down to the ground. All eyes turned and watched as Cyndi disappeared into the forest. A breath later, ghouls emerged, walking in their direction.

  “We need a shelter,” Val shouted as she turned her back to the group, claws out.

  Morgan drew a dagger and stepped back. Nova did the same. Stella held Sil in her arms. Will tried to call up his inventory, but it didn’t appear. Falling to his knees, tendrils of mist rose up from his body as he began to shrink. Weakness took hold, but he fought to stay awake. Human again, he weakly lifted a hand and called up his inventory. Taking hold of stone, he dropped blocks to the ground. Morgan, Val, and Nova began grabbing stone blocks, building a shelter as quickly as possible.

  Ghouls growled and snarled before a dozen charged from the shadows. Stella reached with one hand to help Will to his feet while holding Sil in her other arm. The shelter was nearly completed, an entrance open. Stella pulled Will inside with Sil. Nova was next. Val and Morgan covered the entrance as the first ghouls reached them. A dagger stabbed into an eye and claws separated a head from shoulders. Morgan stepped into the shelter and Val was last, slicing a ghoul in half. Nova placed a stone at the entrance as ghouls reached in to rend flesh. Val sliced at them, their arms pulling back. Morgan grabbed the last stone and slid it into place, closing them in and darkness falling.

  Ghouls howled for blood from outside as a single torch lit up the inside of the shelter. Stella sat, holding Sil to her. Nova and Morgan slumped against a stone wall. Val was the only one standing as she peered down on Will with a torch in his hand.

  “Good job,” Will whispered before he passed out, Val snatching the torch from his hand.

  “Sleep well,” Val whispered as she ran fingers through his hair.

  Sixteen

  Castle Thorn loomed in the background as a horned-woman worked in a medium sized garden. Milly was on her hands and knees, dirt caking her white dress as she pulled carrots and chucked them into an open basket. Wiping away sweat from her brow, she looked up to the azure sky.

  Belle was close by, oozing along. Hand out, the slime saw a butterfly on a flower, flexing its wings. The slime watched with fascination as her hand hovered over it. With a tap of her finger, the butterfly was trapped against her finger. The slime lifted up her hand, watching with curious eyes as the winged insect was pulled into her hand, broke apart and dissolved.

  Milly looked over with a small smile. “They won’t come back if you keep eating them.”

  Belle glanced to Milly before looking at her hand again. Head bowing, she slinked off as Milly went back to work.

  A gate opened.

  Milly’s heart leapt in her chest as she turned her gaze to the main gate. Soul soaring, she stood up and ran toward it. Will, Val, and Morgan stepped through with Stella, Sil, and Nova behind them. Their faces were dirty and clothes a bit ragged. Small smiles bloomed at the rushing Milly.

  “Will,” Milly cried out before throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply.

  Will held Milly close, savoring the kiss as the group entered, Nova closing the main gate behind them.

  ***

  A single lantern glowed in a small room. A round table stood, Will, Val, and Morgan sitting in chairs and facing one another. There were no windows and inky shadows surrounded the trio as they talked.

  “What happened with Cyndi, cannot happen again. Cyndi tried to endear herself to us with information of the old world. As far as I’m concerned, the old world is dead. We have to think about the future.” Will stated with a cool expression.

  Val and Morgan’s heads nodded in agreement.

  “When we find future heroes, we have to be vigilant. Our very survival will depend on it. As for the Idols, I will have them stored in a vault, deep within Castle Thorn. For now, the three of us will be the council until we expand further.”

  Morgan kept his black gaze on Will, “We are expanding the kingdom?”

  Will gave his confidant a knowing smirk. “Not just a kingdom. Cyndi seemed to let us know in a roundabout way, there will be others looking for the Idols. As I told you what Draygon told me, this isn’t a game. The first stone has been cast and I’m not going to let others take what we rightfully won. The world outside cannot be trusted. I believe we can do better, that is why we are going to build an empire.”

  Morgan kept his gaze neutral.

  Val gave a small, wicked smile. “Empires are built on conquest. Are we going to go through with this, no matter the costs?”

  Will nodded. “We will help the lost. We will house the faithful. We will expand the territory. I know it’s ambitious, but I won’t let what happened to the old world happen here. This will be our chance to make Jova a place where those who are loyal feel safe and those against us will know wrath.

  “I won’t blame either of you if you want no part in it, but this will happen, I swear it.”

  Morgan smiled, showing his razor-sharp teeth, “I’m in.”

  Val’s smirk grew into a fanged smile, “I’m in. It will feel good to make a real change.”

  Will nodded. “Our first duties are to build a home for our future people. The first race to populate here will be the kobolds. After that, we will liberate savage creatures and wake them to grow new populations. We will build places of worship to Yir, Draygon, and any ot
her gods we find.

  “Once we are strong enough, we will go out and tame the forests and lands beyond.”

  “We will need to discuss ranks and titles. We will also have to organize an army,” Morgan added.

  Val looked to Will, “We will have to decide what kind of society we want to build.”

  Will nodded. “We can break down the finer details, later. First, let’s build a town and then we can shape it to what we want.”

  A dark energy sparked in the small room. The trio stood up, purpose and conviction fueling them. Will savored it, a plan forming and a deep need to bring a new order to a savage world.

  The three of them made their way to the door. Door open, they all stepped out into the stone corridor. About forty feet further down, Stella leaned against a wall, her hat forward and covering her eyes. Morgan and Val shot each other a glance as they all walked. The two walked past the barely clothed witch. Will slowed down, turning his gaze to her.

  Stella lifted up her hat, eyes glowing in the hall light as Morgan and Val turned a corner and disappeared from view.

  “I see I wasn’t invited to the meeting,” Stella said simply.

  Will nodded, his expression blank. “You weren’t. The only reason your still with us is because you helped save us when we fought Cyndi. But, don’t let that take away from what I noticed. You didn’t jump in right away and you tried to influence me to give her a chance, neither decision working to our benefit. I give everyone a chance, but your instincts were wrong. Maybe one day, your instincts will change for the better.”

  Stella nodded. “I’m not sure it will mean anything, but I have an aversion to hurting the living. I don’t remember much, but as Val has said, I am a Witch Angel.”

  Will’s gaze remained emotionless as he spoke, “When you become my Witch Angel, then and only then will I trust you again.”

  Stella’s gaze took on a sad gloom. “Does this mean…we’re breaking up?”

  Will couldn’t help but smile. “Stella, you’re my friend, but I want you to be more than my friend. Please, don’t squander this second chance.”

  The witch’s sorrow shifted into a warm, sultry gaze, “Of course, Lord Asher.”

  Will began walking, Stella moving to his side. The witch reached over and took his hand into hers. Fingers entwined as Will looked forward, trying to make a serious face and failing, lanterns above them lighting their way down the corridor.

  ***

  Will, Milly, and Sil stood in a stone and wood structure. Soul Caskets lined the farthest wall. In Milly’s arms were garments and robes of a smaller variety. Sil looked on the caskets with wide eyes. Lights flashed along the caskets before lids began rising up one by one. Will watched with subdued excitement as kobolds rose up. Almost all looked around in confused ascension, an understanding they were now awake, but trying to understand their surroundings.

  Will stepped forward with Milly and Sil at his sides.

  “Welcome! I am Lord Asher. This is Lady Milly and Lady Sil. We will be assisting you to live here.”

  Kobolds stood up and stepped out. Many turned their eyes and snouts to Sil.

  “He speaks the truth. This is our new home,” Sil stated.

  Sixteen kobolds stepped closer before kneeling down to one knee, bowing their heads.

  Will nodded. “Milly, make sure they are dressed, fed and shown around.”

  Milly nodded, moving to the nearest kobold and touching their shoulder. The kobold looked up with wide eyes to her warm smile.

  “Let’s get everyone dressed and I will show you to your new homes,” Milly grinned.

  Will watched as the kobolds slowly dressed before leaning his head over to Sil beside him, “Let’s go for a walk. I’m sure Milly can take it from here.”

  Sil nodded and the pair left the small building. Stepping out onto the dirt street, Will looked around. The sun hung low in the sky but activity was all around them. Val and Morgan helped place blocks of stone and wood on one another to build a new home. Belle wandered the area, cleaning up weeds poking up from the ground. Stella hauled stone blocks effortlessly to designated locations while Nova helped. The small town began to take shape. Will made a mental note to carve out core stones once the last of the homes were finished. He had already drawn up plans for farms and extending the wall so they would have more land and better protections from the monsters in the forests.

  “Nova!” Will called out to the Stalker.

  Nova turned and smiled. Placing the block in her arms down on the ground, she made her way over.

  “Yes, my lord,” Nova said brightly.

  “I need you and Sil to come with me. I have something important to discuss.”

  The stalker nodded and all three made their way to the front doors of Castle Thorn. Once inside, they turned several corners, climbed stairs and arrived at the royal quarters. Stepping in, they entered Will’s private bed chamber, the lord closing it behind him.

  “There is something I want to show you both,” Will said as he moved to a door and opened it.

  The trio walked into his private work chamber. Sil and Nova eyed the benches and assortment of weapons along the walls. An alchemy table stood, liquids of various colors bubbling and boiling. Reaching another door on the far end, Will opened it and they all walked in. The lord closed the door behind them as lanterns glowed.

  Two Soul Caskets lay in the bare stone room. A chest was off to the side. Will moved to the chest and opened it.

  “You both have gone above the call of duty. I thought you should be rewarded,” Will said as he pulled out 6 soul stones, a piece of opal and a piece of quartz.

  Sil and Nova stood with wide eyes as he approached, stones and gems in his hands.

  “Milly managed to find some opals and quartz in the mine. It makes what I want to offer you both that much easier. Every immortal here in Jova may have seven guardians. I can’t think of anyone else to fill these important roles, if you accept.”

  “What happens when we become guardians?” Sil asked.

  “You will become powerful. Powerful enough to defend the people and lands we control.”

  Sil looked down, “Can I still lead my people?”

  Will nodded, “That and more.”

  The kobold gave a small, serpentine smile. “I accept.”

  Nova’s hand clutched to one another, stars in her eyes. “I accept too! I accept!”

  Before Will could say anything, the Stalker launched forward and hugged him hard, almost knocking the gems and stones from his hands.

  “You’re welcome,” Will said through gritted teeth.

  Nova let go and stepped back, head bowed. “I’m sorry! I’m still working on my hugs.”

  Will smiled. “It’s okay.”

  The young lord moved to the caskets. In the four-slot diamond shape, he placed three soul stones in the top slots of both. In one casket, he placed an opal. In the other, he placed a piece of quartz. Standing up, he beckoned them over.

  “Nova, you lay in this one,” Will pointed to the casket with the quartz in it.

  The stalker didn’t hesitate as she climbed in and laid down, arms crossing her chest. Eyes glowed with excitement.

  “When I close the lid, I think it will take time for power to sink into your body. When you wake up, you should feel like a new person.”

  Nova nodded. “Yes, Lord Asher. I can’t wait!”

  Will closed the casket lid. Light glowed along the edge before it sealed shut. A timer appeared in Will’s vision. Seven days appeared in the digital display before a countdown began. Will noted that it would be a lengthy process and looked forward to Nova coming back, stronger than ever.

  Will turned to see Sil getting in her casket, “The process takes seven days.”

  Sil nodded.

  Will stepped over and knelt down as the kobold became comfortable. “Do you mind if I ask you something?”

  Sil nodded again as she looked to him.

  “I saw angel wing carved in Val’
s hero tomb. What was their meaning?”

  Sil smiled before a fog filled her eyes. “I’m not sure. I loved the symbol and I have moments where I was not like how I am now. I helped people and it is still with me. I want to help others. I want to help you, my lord.”

  Will gave her a warm smile, “You will. Sleep well Sil. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  The young lord stood up, “Thank you, my guardian.”

  “Thank you, Will,” Sil whispered before the lid closed over her. Energy flashed and another time display appeared under the first one.

  Will stared at the caskets, a loving warmth touching his heart and possibilities on the horizon.

  ***

  The first bottle of wine poured into glasses. Val licked her lips as a glass was handed to her. Morgan lifted one up as did Milly and Stella. Will smiled as he sat down with his glass. The dining room glowed in warm light as a fireplace crackled.

  Will raised his glass, “To companions and friends, let’s enjoy our first taste of wine.”

  “Here here,” everyone gathered said as they took a deep sip.

  Morgan grimaced a little at the bitter taste. Milly’s face wrinkled, twitching her nose. Stella took a deep sip before putting the glass down, the wine having no effect. Will grinned as the bitter taste flared along his senses.

  Val drank her glass down, pulling it away when it was empty and eyes closed. She savored the taste before opening her eyes with renewed fire.

  “It’s good, but we can do better,” the pale beauty said with a fanged smile.

  Heads nodded in agreement.

  “Yes, we will,” Will said in a dark tone. “Yes, we will.”

  ~Fin~

  Epilogue

  A pair of full moons hung high in the night sky. One was larger than the other, but their combined light bathed the forests in a celestial glow. The main gate opened slightly and figure stepped out, closing the gate behind them. A witch hat shined in the moonlight as shadows covered the figure’s face. Long legs stepped, one after the other as the figure made their way into the forest.