The Realms of Animar

by Owen Black

  ***

  As he walked purposely up the hill toward Avryndale, Fatalis passed the bodies of fallen soldiers from both sides. He had lost more than he would have guessed, but the pathetic cattle had hardly dented his magnificent army.

  The slaughter had been so fast in fact that his Avian allies had even elected to leave before it was over, apparently having decided to skip the feast that was soon to follow. Although concern never entered his mind he was rather annoyed at their sudden departure. He vowed to deal with their defiance at the earliest opportunity.

  Fatalis looked to the village entrance and noticed that his men had broken through the gate and had funneled inside. He imagined the rush they felt as they chased down and devoured whatever resistance remained. He decided to pick up his pace. He wanted to watch for himself.

  On his way up the hill, Fatalis walked past the carcass of one of the giant mysterious creatures that had toppled so many of his soldiers. It was lying flat on its belly and was so horribly disgusting that even to Fatalis it did not look the least bit appetizing. He then noticed something rather peculiar – it was not dead as he had thought but rather still alive.

  The dark blue beast seemed to strain to breathe although Fatalis could only detect a few small wounds upon its shiny dark flesh, certainly nothing worthy enough to fall the massive specimen. He then realized that it was not from a wound that it was struggling but a dagger that was lodged near its giant tail. The tiny blade paled in comparison to the size of its victim yet it was made of the very substance that was capable of trapping the creature in its animal form. Although a gigantic beast, it was obvious that it could not breathe which meant that it was something different, something from another place. It was an Aquan!

  Fatalis wandered up to the eye of fallen creature. It did not blink or follow him but he knew that the Aquan was aware of his presence.

  “What a horrible way to die,” Fatalis said. “I could end your suffering now but that would be too easy for you. Know this you foolish slug before you leave this world. Siding with the cattle was a mistake your kind will regret until the end of their days. I will find your home and slaughter everyone you love. You failed them here today. You sent them to their graves.”

  Fatalis watched as the large eye blinked once before the creature’s gaping mouth quivered slightly. The pathetic beast was trying to respond. Inside Fatalis laughed. What a stupid creature.

  He then turned back at the battlefield that stretched out around him. The dead were everywhere. It was an incredible sight to be sure and one that caused his thoughts to spiral back to a horrible nightmare that had frequently plagued him as a child.

  In this dream, this terrible vision that kept him awake so many nights as a small boy, he was alone in a field, surrounded by every kind of animal that he could imagine. Every creature he knew about, from cows to sheep, elephants to tigers, carnivores and herbivores alike, they all surrounded him in this field and stared at him, waiting.

  His father then appeared, from where he never knew - the stuff of dreams of course – he just appeared and looked down at him with angry eyes.

  “Eat them!” his father commanded. “Eat them all!”

  When young Fatalis hesitated his father slapped him hard across the face and caused tears to swell in his eyes. He whimpered and looked at the animals that seemed to foolishly wait for his attack.

  “Go on you coward!” his father taunted. “Are you scared? Are you going to cry? We have no room for babies in this pack. Kill them or be left for dead. Your choice.”

  His father then vanished and left him alone in the field.

  Thinking back on the nightmare, it was not the conversation with his father that had so deeply shaken young Fatalis, it was what happened afterwards. In his dream he became enraged, angered by his father’s words, his taunting and badgering, just as he did in life, he did in his sleep. Determined to make him proud, Fatalis morphed into his animal form and one by one leapt on the helpless beasts as they sat strangely entranced while he moved among them, ripping their flesh with his massive fangs, disemboweling them with ease with his blade-like claws.

  When at last he had finished his slaughter, Fatalis returned to his human form and looked upon the hundreds of bodies strewn about. They were carnage, soaked in blood, so much blood. He then looked down at his hands, not the hands of a boy as they should have been, but the paws of his animal form.

  The first time Fatalis had the dream he had awoken deeply scared, sitting on the floor of the cave, sobbing uncontrollably until his father had silenced him. If only the bastard could see him now. He had become a master of death unlike anything the world had ever known. Yet still, somehow, as he looked across the collection of animals strewn about the countryside, he felt strangely empty. Right away he realized why. He needed to find the boy.

  His name then rang out from the remnants of the soldiers that surrounded him. Fatalis turned and watched the general of the foxes, Vulpo, ran up the hill towards him. The old wisp of a man then stopped and panted while he collected his breath.

  “Master, Master we—” the miserable creature began.

  “What? What is it you old goat?”

  Vulpo slowed his gasping and collected his thoughts. He then replied, “We found Ash. He is dead.”

  “Is that all?” Fatalis quipped.

  The news of Ash’s death was a bit of a surprise but not the least bit unsettling. Ash had served his purpose. He would have made a terrible Alpha and the wolves were too valuable a resource to leave in the hands of the weak.

  “Is that what brought you scampering to me, stressing your feeble heart, risking your very life for trivial facts?” Fatalis asked. “So pathetic.”

  “We have Avryn,” Vulpo then said.

  A wave of excitement shot through Fatalis unlike anything he had ever felt. Finally the time had come. “Unharmed as I had ordered?”

  “Of course. We have him surrounded awaiting your order.”

  “And the boy? Any sign of the boy?”

  “Not yet.”

  Fatalis looked into the falling rain and then searched the land with his eyes. Across the countryside his men were thinning and only a few small skirmishes remained. Most of his troops had moved into the village or were at the battered gate where they pushed and shoved to gain position, eager to reach their target. To his surprise a few even appeared to hastily leave the village but he paid it no attention. Victory was his.

  “What is left of the cattle?” Fatalis asked. “I see we have not yet finished off the last of them.”

  “They put up a fight but there aren’t many left now. A few of the…well, the strange things, whatever they are. Once we trap them with metal they are virtually helpless. They flop around then suffocate and die. Fascinating really.”

  “Yes, yes I have seen it, what else?” Fatalis demanded.

  “Apart from those there are just a few horses and a handful of foot soldiers. Oh, and the men have reported seeing a strange wolf among us. They think it is Mordigal.”

  Fatalis straightened up and quickly glanced around. He was clearly disturbed. “Take everyone you can and hunt him down! I want him dead. Don’t return to me until it is done!”

  Vulpo hesitated and then lowered his head and replied, “It will be done.” He then pointed up the hill toward Avryndale. “Avryn is in that cluster of men up ahead near the gate.”

  Fatalis turned and left without another word, leaving Vulpo to his unenviable task.

  ***

  Light flashed before Thane’s eyes at incredible speed, revealing shapes and figures that were nothing but a blur. His arms sliced effortlessly through the air, striking flesh and bone, yet the weight of the swords and the impact of his blows was strangely absent as if all physical sensation had been lost. Even before each opponent crumbled to the dirt he was already moving to the next, popping from one location to another, cutting them down as they attempted to enter the village.

  Fed by adrenaline that poured from an end
less well, Thane never slowed his attack, never stalled his progression through the marauding horde that so foolishly challenged him. He could feel the power that sped through his veins. It was a sensation that others might be tempted to harness for a darker purpose but not Thane. He took no pleasure in the killing yet felt no pity either. His actions were necessary.

  In his hands he wielded the swords that were meant for him, the gifts from the Aquans that enabled his brutal rampage. Together they were meant to protect his people. Together they were unstoppable.

  The world seemed to slow once again when after one of his victims had fallen into a muddy puddle, Thane realized that once again he was alone. He peered around the courtyard and realized that he was surrounded by scores of bodies, the product of his wrath. His eyes remained aglow with power so he turned his attention to the broken gate. Faces peered in at him, countless eyes that gazed in wonder. They were frightened and unsure. He had reduced the bloodthirsty carnivores to whimpering cowards yet he felt no comfort for he knew that among them, lurking beyond the village walls, was the leader of the carnivore army, the man that had come for him.

  Thane wiped the rain from his eyes then looked at the faces that stared back at him. He offered a slight smile in greeting and, before they could run, he was upon them.

  ***

  Fatalis approached the clearing and his men separated to allow him access to his most hated of enemies, Avryn Pendergast, King of the cattle. In the days that had led up to this moment his mind had often crafted an image of what would transpire. He pondered how their confrontation would take place and although the outcome was never in doubt, he had envisioned a glorious battle. But now, as he looked at the man standing in the small clearing with his sword grasped firmly in hand and his clothes ripped and stained with blood, he could not help but feel a sense of disappointment.

  “Ah yes, the mighty Avryn,” Fatalis said. “We meet at last. I have looked forward to this for longer than you could ever know.”

  Murmurs spilled forth from the carnivore soldiers but the king failed to reply. Instead he nervously looked Fatalis over, likely stunned by the size of the man that had come to kill him. Instead of attempting to flee or beg for his life Avryn had elected to remain noble. What a fool. He should plea to be spared, ask forgiveness for his treachery. That was what Fatalis longed for. He wanted to hear Avryn swear alliance and everlasting servitude just so that he could so cruelly deny his final request before he cut him down.

  ***

  Trapped, Avryn had no choice. The carnivores had stormed the village and the fates of his wife and son were unknown. His mind was clouded with despair as he wondered what else he could have done, what choices he could have made. He prayed that his family had taken shelter in the tunnel in time, surely they had. It was all he had left.

  For him, surrounded by a swarm of barbarians and staring at the brute of a man who had caused so much death, the only question that remained was how his life would end. The grip on his sword tightened. He would not go easily.

  Fatalis was indeed a terrifying figure and confidence seeped from his pores and conjured forth the sinister grin that marked his lips. It was obvious why so many had followed him. Standing a good foot taller than Avryn, the carnivore leader’s body was coated in muscles that pulsed with hate while his eyes cast forth a wicked glare as if he was the source of all evil in the world. Perhaps he was.

  As he fought to filter the howls from the carnivores that surrounded them, Avryn focused on his enemy. He watched as Fatalis held out his hand and accepted a sword from one of his men and then tested the blade, twisting and turning it to measure its weight. It was clear that he was no stranger to swordplay.

  Fatalis then looked at Avryn. “No final words great king? Would you prefer we wait for your son to join us? I wonder who will put up the bigger fight – you or your little boy?”

  Laughter spilled forth from the soldiers. Avryn stood up straight, as best he could.

  “It seems your men have done all of the fighting so far today,” Avryn replied. “It’s time to put your neck on the line.”

  The crowd reacted with awe and clearly angered Fatalis. His muscles tightened and his stance narrowed. With a yell Fatalis then lifted his weapon and charged forward, covering the distance between them in a second.

  Their swords clashed with such force that Avryn was shoved back, farther and farther with each violent swing by the carnivore leader. Fatalis was relentless and untiring as he grunted with each thrust of his sword, giving Avryn no time to counter with a strike of his own.

  With both hands Avryn clung to his sword while he struggled to keep his footing on the muddy ground. He stayed low with his knees bent to absorb the shock of each strike but he knew that if he went down it would be over.

  The onslaught continued and Fatalis showed no sign of tiring. Avryn could feel his body shake with each strike he blocked. His shoulders began to ache. His arms began to tire. But then, when he least expected, a brief opportunity arose when Fatalis apparently grew tired of the volley and lifted his sword above his head. It was risky but Avryn had no choice.

  He tossed his blade to the ground, morphed into a ram and struck Fatalis squarely in the chest. Although his horns absorbed most of the blow, Avryn felt a shock down his spine. Fatalis was a solid figure, but the force of the strike sent the carnivore leader flying through the air while his sword tumbled to the ground.

  Avryn then jumped forward, morphed mid-flight into human form, grabbed his sword as he landed and came down upon Fatalis, ready to deliver the fatal blow. Fatalis, however, was quicker than any man his size should have been. He rolled to his right at the last moment, sprung to his feet and delivered a punch to Avryn’s exposed stomach.

  A flash of pain shot through his abdomen as the fist remained implanted in his stomach. Avryn could not move. His body was in shock. Another blow then struck his back, not just a punch but something more, a fiery sting more severe than anything he had ever felt. He screamed as Fatalis twisted his fists and he then realized something was inside him, slicing and cutting, causing the tasted of blood to fill his mouth. Daggers perhaps? Not possible, he had no time to grab them.

  Avryn tried to move, but his body would not respond. He then noticed that the pain had left him. Confusion swirled in his mind.

  Cheers erupted from the carnivore soldiers when Fatalis released Avryn from his grasp and the king fell weakly to the muddy ground where he tumbled onto his back, limp. Fatalis raised his arms and yelled in triumph.

  It was then that Avryn spotted the weapons that had defeated him. Not daggers or swords, or blades of any kind, but something more peculiar and horrifying. Fatalis had changed, rather part of him had. Standing above him was an abomination unlike any other. The man had changed, not all of him, just part.

  In place of human hands, Fatalis now had thick golden paws with bloodied claws that clung to the ends like blackened sickles. The impossible had happened.

  Fatalis looked down at Avryn and laughed. “Surprised great King of the Cattle? You should see the rest of me. It will be the last thing you ever see but know this before I finish you, your son is next and soon after your wife, whatever is left of her.”

  Avryn felt the rain upon his face as he watched Fatalis morph on top of him. He did not feel the drops elsewhere however and he knew then that he was paralyzed. Gripped by a bitter reality, the cool embrace of the water on his cheeks surprised him and offered a welcome peace in a time of such darkness. He tried not to look at the giant cat that now stood above him but he could feel its warm, putrid breath as it lowered its face to his neck. His eyes locked on the long, curved fangs that extended from the edges of the beast’s mouth and Avryn closed his eyes. If they were tearing into him, he did not feel it. Perhaps death would come quick.

  A loud roar then pulled him from the gloom. Though he had been briefly saved from a spiral of death he felt great sorrow for he recognized the source immediately.

  He opened his eyes just as the
massive gorilla knocked Fatalis from atop his chest and sent the giant cat sliding across the muddy ground in an angry heap. Semu roared and pounded his chest while the sabertooth scrambled to his feet.

  The soldiers that surrounded them threatened to move in but Fatalis hissed and stopped them in their tracks.

  Avryn wanted to tell his friend to run, to save himself and never look back, but he was too weak. There were several gorillas in the carnivore army and Semu could have easily remained hidden among their numbers. Why had he revealed himself?

  Stillness captured the two animals as their eyes remained fixed, sizing up the other for what would surely be a colossal battle. Semu then charged forward upon his enormous arms that propelled him swiftly across the ground. Seeing his movement, Fatalis crouched down to the ground. He appeared to be cowering but Avryn knew better. He was timing his strike.

  The giant cat leapt at the gorilla when he drew near and together they fell into a muddy pile of thrashing limbs. Their bodies remained tangled for a few moments until Semu broke free and climbed on top of Fatalis and pinned him to the ground.

  The gorilla punched the cat with a series of furious blows that called forth loud shrieks of pain from the pinned cat. Avryn filled with hope. Semu appeared to have won.

  But then the gorilla strangely began to slow his attacks as if he was swinging through water. His body briefly waffled and then he slowly turned his head towards Avryn. Their eyes locked just before Semu fell to the ground, his lifeless gaze still fixed on his friend while blood seeped from the gaping wound in his neck.

  Fatalis growled and then morphed back into the form of a man and stood over the fallen gorilla. He then looked at Avryn who remained motionless, slumped on the ground.