“Had to clear the stage for the next contestants. Speed, sire?” he asked as he took cover behind the stone wall.
“Yes, and congratulations. The next one has few adornments, is smaller in stature, no heavy armor, only two blades. Look at how he moves.”
Tyndur turned his attention to the champion.
“You’re right. That one does rely on swiftness. Also has magically prepared blades,” commented Tyndur.
Could he see the energy of the blades? thought Tyler. Certainly not your usual einherjar.
“I don’t know how fast he is but would have been a problem for me. Thanks, sire. But it would have been an interesting match,” continued the einherjar.
“Astrid is also a warrior who relies on speed and agility. I just hope her swiftness is enough. Unlike her ability, I believe that champion’s quickness is an artificial one. Though of magical origin.”
“I wouldn’t worry about Astrid, sire. She has her tricks.”
Tyler didn’t answer and continued watching the field. He saw that the champion was moving at a regular pace. A ruse or a means to conceal his speed, observed the mage. Astrid was already nearing the bridge. He thought what would happen after the challenge fights.
I doubt if they’ll all go away after the individual battles. Even assuming we win all of them, what then?
At the back of his mind, he quickly ran through his available abilities. He discarded the spells of individual application and focused on area-of-effect ones. But each skill that came to mind was swiftly rejected when he thought about the abilities of Yayauhqui. The witch will have more surprises up her sleeve. He won’t underestimate her again.
“Guys? How’s the healing going?”
“You’re healed, Elder, though the affected muscles are still raw. We are still analyzing the corruption we have discovered.”
“Thanks, X, but we have an immediate problem here. An extremely powerful witch, lots of mages, and a few thousand warriors. No biggie.”
“Sarcasm again, Elder? You’re becoming fond of it,” observed Hal.
“Well, I can’t just tell them my heart and blood are available for their festivities.”
“Unfortunately, we can’t recommend a course of action. We lack information on the abilities of that Aztecah demigoddess,” clarified X.
“I really don’t like it when you guys start a sentence with ‘unfortunately’.”
The two kept quiet. Shit. I am on my own. What to do? What to do? I think I am starting to panic.
On the bridge, the Aztecah champion had finally arrived, though he didn’t step into the pavement yet. The two warriors eyed each other warily. Astrid had her xiphoi out and was holding it in her hands, downwards and away from her body. The Aztecah slowly adopted a fighting pose, his hands gripping his blades aloft.
“I am Pipiyolti! The wild bee of the Empire! Feel my sting, nextltaoalli! You may be a woman. You may still serve as a fitting sacrifice when your head rolls down the temple steps! Name, chontalli?” shouted the champion.
Astrid was quiet for a while. Pipiyolti slowly advanced and was soon on the bridge.
“Call me Kaneis, gaidaros. The nephew of the neighbor of the second cousin of the Third,” replied Astrid, continuing Tyndur’s joke. “And I am the one who is going to “Opa!” your tepolli.”
Tyler saw that the Aztecah champion stopped upon hearing Astrid’s retort. The mage surmised that either the Greek terms Astrid used didn’t translate well through Viracocha’s ring of language or the champion didn’t expect such insults from a woman.
Then the image of Astrid blurred, the figure of the champion instantly followed.
Shit. Won’t be able to see a thing. I was right about the speed though.
The two became visible in a second. Now on opposite sides of the bridge. Pipiyolti was bleeding from a large gash across his chest. He tore away the ruined vest. Astrid appeared unhurt. The images of the two again shimmered and they went back to their original positions. This time, the Aztecah champion was crouching. Tyler could see several small wounds had appeared on the torso and thighs of the man. His own blood covered the man’s body. Astrid was lazily standing, slightly moving the now red xiphoi in circles.
Then Tyler heard Yayauhqui shout to the champion.
“OCCEPPA!”
Immediately, Pipiyolti charged. His speed had lessened as Tyler could see his figure moving to attack Astrid. It was still fast and would have been invisible to ordinary eyes. On the other hand, he couldn’t make out Astrid. The mage could discern the champion’s desperate lunges and movements as the man tried to avoid the Valkyrie’s counter-strikes. Pipiyolti was very skilled, Tyler observed. His acrobatic display, marked at times with desperation, was impressive. The champion could jump high and had quick snake-like actions when attacking or defending on his feet. A final burst of speed from Pipiyolti and the two were again on the opposite sides of the bridge. This time the champion was clearly on his last legs. He was breathing heavily. His back, as well as his thighs, sported several long diagonal slashes. Blood was flowing from the wounds.
Tyler noticed Asem had moved out of cover. Then as Astrid brought her xiphoi into attack position, he saw it.
A thin green and black beam suddenly spurted from Yayauhqui. It hit Astrid’s back.
Asem immediately discharged a wind spell against Pipiyolti who had his back turned, still crouching and holding part of his stomach. The concentrated blast, the same as what Tyler saw back at the hill, knocked the champion off the bridge, straight down to the jagged rocks of the whitewater river.
At the same time, Tyler saw Eztli and the remaining champion rush forward to capture Astrid. Seeing what was happening, the mage quickly flung the strongest repulsion spell he could manage in a broad frontal arc, at the rear of the fallen Astrid. Tyndur rushed past him, running towards the bridge. He could hear the einherjar muttering curses as he passed. Asem was also on the move in the direction of the crossing.
Tyler’s spell blew the leading ranks of the Aztecah force to the rear. Cast at a downwards angle, it caused small quakes in its immediate area as it dug up the ground. The mages in charge of the army’s shields were unprepared for the loss of balance. Those in front, including the witch and the two champions, slammed into the tightly packed ranks of the already tottering warriors, followed by massive chunks of earth mixed with small stones. The fighters on both flanks were not affected by the wave of force, being beyond the range of the arc’s effect. They began to converge on the bridge.
While the main Aztecah ranks were disorganized, unprepared what happened, Tyler caused a massive bombardment of fireballs to rain, followed by a second barrage. The first shredded the existing defensive barriers and second started to impact within Aztecah ranks. But by that time, some mages had recovered and not all of the fiery globes made it to the ground. Still, loud blasts of flames rocked the formation and mayhem ensued from the detonations. The ones on the flanks halted their advance. Some were warily watching the ruins while others were riveted by what was happening to their companions.
Then Tyler saw Astrid crawl forward, evidently trying to stand. She managed to raise herself painstakingly and with a burst of speed, reached past the middle of the crossing before slamming back to the ground. The mage could see the Valkyrie was unconscious, the short burst of speed took everything she had. From what Tyler experienced on the hill, he knew that spell from Yayauhqui was a weakening spell. Extremely potent and intended to capture. He could imagine what effort Astrid had to exert just for that small spurt of momentum.
The mage saw Tyndur pick up the Valkyrie and carry her back to where he was standing. Asem kept watch during the withdrawal. Tyler held the enemy off-balance by a mixture of blades and fireballs, finally capped by a lightning cloud. But he could see that the Aztecah were swiftly recovering. The presence of barriers which came back into existence was shown by the blasts erupting above the foe. The warrior ranks were being reassembled, surviving mages walked back to the front of
the formation, and the witch was moving from where she was thrown by Tyler’s spell. By the time the cloud of lightning started throwing flashes downward, the enemy’s barriers were already mostly in place. Instead, his magical assault appeared as a mere scintillating pyrotechnic display above the enemy ranks. The mage couldn’t see the two champions yet. He doubted if they have been eliminated. Each would have a personal shield.
We’re dead! So dead! That witch alone would have been a major problem! Now there’s a lot of mages behind her and a mass of warriors! Shit! It’s our freaking deaths!
The three companions finally reached him. Astrid was now conscious, but Tyler knew she was extremely weakened. Tyndur went back to watching the enemy, leaving Asem to heal the Valkyrie. The mage realized they couldn’t run. Even moving to a better defensive position, if they could find any in the ruins, is not an option anymore. The temple might be defensible, but with Astrid in her weakened condition and the enemy strength involved, the edifice is on the moon as far as they were concerned.
He was thankful that Tyndur didn’t say anything as the man took up position beside him. He needed to think and fast. A mass of death approaching. And I can’t do anything about it, he bitterly thought. A mass of death. That gives me an idea. But I never thought I would think of using it again.
“Guys?”
“At your service, Elder.”
“So formal, X? Ready for our imminent demise?”
“We trust you would find a solution, Elder. If there’s no answer to our current situation, then we suppose even constructs have to accept their end. Sometimes.”
“I am not ready to die yet. Here’s a question first. How much energy can your reserves handle?”
“Virtually limitless. The knowledge that came with the dimension spell of Dionysus made it possible. With some tweaking on our part, of course,” answered Hal.
“Prepare yourselves. I am going to do something really stupid. If we survive, then we can change the description to something really smart.”
“We believe we understand what you intend to do, Elder. We suppose there’s no other way out of our predicament, given our level of knowledge.”
“Just get ready, guys.”
Tyler turned to the einherjar. Tyndur looked at him and grinned.
“Death’s coming, sire.”
“Not if I can help it, Tyndur. Now listen. Let the priestess continue taking care of Astrid. I need you to watch over me. I will be doing something crazy and I don’t know if I will be conscious of what’s happening around me. Your task is to make sure I am safe from attackers. But keep a safe distance from me.”
“As you order, sire,” the einherjar replied with a quick bow. “Mind if I say something?”
“No time like the present, Tyndur.”
“You’re a brave one, First Mage. I will be glad to serve you, if you will accept my services and if we do survive this exciting tour of Wilan’s ruins.”
“I am not brave, Tyndur. The truth is I am scared so bad I can’t feel my legs anymore. I just don’t want us to die without a fight.”
“It’s the same thing. Bravery is being scared so bad you find there’s no room for fear anymore. Good luck, sire.”
Tyler walked to the middle of the road, facing the bridge and the host of enemies already rapidly moving towards the crossing.
Chapter Lore:
Flower battle – Story term. Derived from the “Flower Wars” the Aztec and its enemies sometimes practice. Parties meet at a designated time and place and engage in ritual warfare. However, up to now, scholars still debate on whether such ritual wars are really for securing human captives for sacrifice and training in battle. The book adopts the usual meaning of the phrase.
Cualli tonalli – Nahualt. Meaning “good day”.
Nahualli – Nahualt. A warlock or a witch.
Macuahuitl – Nahualt. A traditional Aztec weapon. A wooden club with sharp obsidian blades. Records tell of the sharpness of such blades, enough to cut off a horse’s head with one blow.
Tepolli – Nahualt. Meaning penis.
Chontalli – Nahualt. A foreigner.
Nextltaoalli – Nahuatl. The closest term to the word “sacrifice”. It means “paying of the debt”. It arose from the belief of the Aztecs that man must return to the gods some of the essences expended for the creation and maintenance of the world (for example, the rising and setting of the sun). However, this creed is not limited to the Aztecs. Most ancient Mesoamerican cultures practiced it. Women are usually sacrificed by beheading.
Kaneis – Greek. Nobody.
Gaidaros – Greek. A donkey.
Opa! – Greek. An exclamation of joy. Usually accompanied by plate-smashing.
Occeppa – Nahualt. Again, or once more.
Chapter XII
Teotl Ixiptlas
“Barriers in place, guys?”
“Yes, Elder. The strongest we can manage. Allow us to give you a warning about the attempt you are going to make. Your experience with the spell was a limited one. With Supay back at the cave. Even then, it was with an orb enclosing that dark being. When you did release the spell, it resulted in the collapse of the cave. The residual effects extended up to several hundred feet from its epicenter, killing a lot of Supay’s followers and empusas. From that, we can also infer that any magically created or infused features of the terrain also collapsed or otherwise were destroyed. We ran simulations and believe that a small area would be best for your purposes. Otherwise, the effects could devastate the immediate area,” cautioned X.
“It is an ability of unbelievable danger if not controlled or limited. You are not sufficiently experienced in using it. Its effect on you is unknown. The list of possible negative effects, which in turn may be cumulative, is quite long. From turning into a dimensional portal to turning your hair white. A small mistake may also end up killing you and your companions.”
“I know,” replied Tyler. He stopped and turned back.
“Tyndur, move them away from any walls. Let them stay in the open, clear from the danger of falling structures.”
Precaution taken, the mage continued walking towards the crossing. He stopped some distance away from the bridge. He could see the Aztecah force had shifted to a slow march, chanting all the time. Above the chanting, he could hear the signal whistles of their officers. Listening to the shouts of the advancing foe, he could make out that a mantra was being loudly uttered and repeated in a measured cadence.
“TETEOH! TETEOH!
AZTLAN! AZTLAN!
TAMOANCHAN! TAMOANCHAN!
MOZTITZIN! MOCUAUH!
TEOTL IXIPTLAS!”
The combined voices of thousands rose thunderously throughout the field and echoed in the mountains behind the mage. He could understand some of the words being screamed.
Teteoh, meaning gods. Moztitzin and mocuauh would translate to them being the claws and clubs of their gods. The other terms are unfamiliar. Except for teotl ixiptlas, which would refer to men possessed by the gods. Apparently, these guys haven’t watched the movie “The Exorcist,” Tyler thought as he surveyed the coming formation. Damn. It’s like they’re flushing out prey.
The enemy was two to three hundred feet from the bridge when he cast his first spell. He knew a magical offensive assault would be of no use. With their mages recovered, the energy shields of the Aztecah would be fully deployed to the maximum strength possible. The mage cast a long and broad barrier spell of his own, fed by the reserves of his guides. He had asked the AIs to start slowly taking and using the ambient energy around the enemy at a rate a little higher than its replenishment rate. Any abrupt reduction of the power in the area would alarm and alert the Aztecah. The two also started recycling some of the energy taken back to the mage. His own barrier in place in front of the approaching enemy, Tyler began to move the sides of the blockade forward, forcing many fighters on the flanks backward into the main body of the warriors. He knew some warriors would be able to move past his preparations and hoped T
yndur would be able to take care of them.
The enemy was surprised by the movement on their flanks. The center of the host had not yet encountered the barrier, the entire force being again deployed as an arc. Whistles sounded. The Aztecah force stopped. At that moment, Tyler cast three strong and concentrated quake spells covering the center and the sides of the formation though he took care to place them at the back of the enemy. He didn’t want to risk the quakes crumbling the ruins around him and his companions. But even at a distance, he could feel the tremblors. At the same time, the cacophony of low-pitched threatening rumbles, groaning earth movements as the ground split into numerous crevices, and the sound of screaming men as they fell into the bigger chasms, obscenely assaulted his ears. Though he could see the mages on the other side panic like the rest of the army, he could see Yayauhqui turn and watch the mayhem engulfing her troops. She was unaffected by the shaking ground and the deadly green and black aura slowly but visibly started to form around her.
What the? Oh, freak me sideways! She knows that walking-on-air thing! Fuck this! And she’s preparing a counter-spell! The quick unfolding response of the witch shocked and frightened Tyler. Cold tentacles of dread clamped themselves on his spine.
He immediately initiated an area energy drain focused on the area where the center quake spell was placed. Fortunately, despite the rising panic threatening his senses, he still had the presence of mind to try to limit the area of effect to a diameter of around a hundred feet. The circle was enough to include the mages, the two champions, and the witch. In a trying and exhausting effort of will, he attempted to drain the area of ambient energy suddenly. Before his sight glazed over in unimaginable pain framed in a vision of blindingly bright light, he saw the mages and the champions tumble to the ground. Yayauhqui herself crashed to the ground like a marionette whose strings have been abruptly cut.
Blood Wars Page 18
