by C E Keene
It was impressive, but not very effective. For all that Arheis had been proud of his initial damage, the mole creature looked no worse for wear. A few gashes that slowly leaked blood, some burns from the plasma, but that was it. Outside of the herbs, its movement wasn't hindered in any way and it still seemed to be in the middle of a violent frenzy.
They needed some way to do a lot of damage to its weak point, which Arheis could only guess was on its belly. The wheels turned, the Petravor's sluggish movement giving him time to think.
"I have an idea," he called to his companions.
Zindar was back on his feet, crouched low and prepared to strike again. He held his attack, as did Mira, who still stood near him.
"If I bait it into carving out a large enough trench, do you think you can get in there?" he asked the Pruvari.
Zindar's eyes widened at first, but eventually the pupils became large and round--a sure sign of a cat about to commit some great massacre--and he grinned like a madman.
"We'll find out, won't we?"
"You're both insane," Mira said, though there wasn't anything close to censure in her voice. She seemed to accept this plan as viable, which was enough to make it unanimous.
"I'm not going to argue with that." Arheis wore the same crazed grin as Zindar.
He felt good about this plan. If they pulled it off, Zindar would be able to move through the trench and get in several unanswered hits, hopefully cutting something vital in the process. Maybe inflicting some bleed damage.
They needed to strike while it was still under the effects of the herbs, though. Darting back into range, Arheis kept his shield up--not wanting to be suicidal, just insane--and lunged for the beast's front leg. His spear deflected easily, no damage even registering. But damage wasn't the point. The beast reacted on instinct, lifting up its leg and smashing it down. Arheis had more than enough time to pull back, leaving the Petravor to impact the ground. Topsoil crumbled beneath the sudden force, a gash dug out of the earth that wasn't quite big enough for Zindar to move freely in.
So Arheis did it again. Or tried to, anyway. The herbs were apparently wearing off, and the mole got in a good swipe as Arheis switched sides, focusing more on lining up the impact than his own safety. He was barely able to get the shield up in time, activating his Dauntless Guard ability at the last second.
The sheer power behind that hit surprised him. He was hammered into the ground even with the protection of the shield, the ground cracking beneath him. He shook it off as best he could, his bones still vibrating with the force of the strike, and got into position to bait out another attack, all while Zindar and Mira waited.
This time he didn't have the benefit of a debuff to help him, and Arheis had to instead rely on his Lightning Reflexes ability to dodge out of the way a split second before the Petravor's foot came down.
The ground ruptured, dirt and rock sent upward, catching Arheis on the edge of the impact. He tripped, sprawling toward the ground, only to find Zindar pulling him up.
Before he could give his thanks, the Pruvari dove for the hole feet-first like a base runner trying to get a foot on the diamond. The sun caught the metal of Zindar's blades before it was eclipsed by the Petravor's hulking form, and then Arheis heard the satisfying sound of quick, concurrent hits tearing into flesh.
That bass-heavy sound erupted from the beast again, less a means of inflicting trauma this time and more a reaction to pain. Arheis felt something rupture in one of his ears, and a loud, incessant ringing drowned out everything else.
> Petravor's Sonic Wail hits you for 14 points of damage.
When he was younger, Arheis' mom used to warn him he was going to blow out his eardrums if he kept his headset at full volume all the time. He'd never actually believed that was possible, but now--in a roundabout way--he'd proven her right. He had blown out his eardrums thanks to a video game.
It wasn't just him affected, either. Zindar had been in the middle of bursting up from the trench, reaching behind him to get in another couple of strikes. But when that sound bellowed through them he stumbled, his feet catching on the edge.
The Petravor whirled, lifting both its forelimbs and preparing to slam them down on Zindar. Arheis moved to Provoke, but Mira beat him to it. Her crossbow bolt struck true, hitting the creature's nose almost dead center. It staggered, giving Zindar just enough time to leap away.
"That barely did anything," the Pruvari called to them. "The damage was surface level at best."
So that wasn't a weak spot. Arheis tried to think of a way they could weaken the beast’s armor without the benefit of the sonic trap they’d had before, but with the creature no longer slowed, he wasn't granted that luxury. Using its forelimbs as shovels, it dug up a clump of hard-packed rock and dirt and then flung it straight at Mira.
Arheis used his Guardian’s Sacrifice to throw his shield, but a last minute explosion of plasma near-blinded him. The shield deflected some of the debris, the rocks breaking against it, but the rest struck Mira, one large chunk hitting her right in the chest and seemingly knocking the wind out of her.
As Arheis hurried to get her out of the line of fire, Zindar leapt high above them, poised to strike. Out of the corner of his eye, Arheis saw the Petravor shovel more dirt and rock, widening the ever-growing trench. With only seconds of delay, it launched the mixture right at Zindar.
Arheis knew what he wanted to do. Grabbing his shield, he pushed off the ground and went for as high of a vertical jump as he could manage. But as someone who was very much not a basketball player, he didn't expect to get much air.
He definitely didn't expect to leap as high as Zindar, his shield held out before him as he intersected the same trajectory as the Pruvari.
> Your bond with Zindar has activated.
> You have learned Intercepting Leap. When bonded to a person who is in mortal danger, forcefully push off from the ground and shield your ally from harm.
Adrenaline coursed through Arheis' veins as he reached the apex of his jump, thrusting his shield out and bashing the cluster of rocks. They crumbled, showering the Petravor below, and Arheis swore he was held in suspended animation for a moment. Long enough for Zindar to turn in midair, spring off his shield, and launch himself onto the beast's back.
Gravity was a bitch, and Arheis came crashing back to the ground, some aspect of the ability keeping him from just shattering his already overworked knees. His body absorbed the blow and he lifted his head in time to see Zindar wrenching his blade under one of the Petravor's plates… and managing to pry it off.
Pale skin was exposed to sunlight, and Arheis could see the creature's blood vessels just beneath the surface. He knew in his bones this was the weak spot, even before Zindar sank both of his blades into it--all the way to the hand-guards.
The Petravor reeled, this time letting out a screech instead of the earlier ear-destroying sound. Or maybe Arheis' hearing was so damaged right now that all he caught of it was a screech. Either way, it was badly hurt and doing everything in its power to throw Zindar off, succeeding after several moments.
Before any of them could take advantage of this new information, the Petravor turned its armored back to them, dug its arms into the ground, and started to pull itself away from the settlement.
The three of them gave chase, but they couldn't compete with the creature's speed. A strange thing, Arheis realized, as it'd been practically helpless when it wasn't surrounded on all sides by cave walls. It moved almost like some kind of sea creature slicing through water now, though, and easily found the tunnel it used to get to the surface. Back limbs disappeared beneath the earth, dirt flying everywhere as it burrowed faster than any of them could hope to match.
Arheis stopped, catching his breath before he asked, "Is everyone okay? Mira?"
She'd taken the worst hit by far, and he could see where her armor was dented. He winced, feeling the pain of it as though it was his own.
"Fine," she grated out, her voice strained.
Arheis approached, gingerly touching the spot where the projectile had bashed in her armor against her ribs. "You know that's not going to work on me, right?"
"It's not even working on me," Zindar said, his voice holding a note of the cheeriness Arheis had missed.
"I'll be fine. Once we get inside, I'll take a look. It's probably just a bruised rib or five."
Her dark eyes sparkled with amusement, her lips twitching into the slightest smile. Arheis laughed, shaking his head before he turned to Zindar.
"And you?"
"Oh, I'm great." The Pruvari flashed them both a fanged grin. "I'd be better if we'd actually killed the thing, but we figured out how to beat it."
"You figured out how to beat it," Arheis said with a smile.
A look of pride washed over Zindar's face. His pupils were slowly returning to normal, that feline bloodlust replaced with a look of satisfaction. "I did, with help from you. That was a crazy jump!"
Mira looked between them, her fingers working at the straps to her chestplate. "Was that… a bond? Like the shield you threw?"
"I think so." He looked at Zindar, who nodded.
"I could feel it. I knew exactly where your shield was going to be."
Two bonds. He'd assumed it might be possible, but it was good to know he could share these abilities with other members of his party. Though… he couldn't feel what Zindar felt. Not the way he could with Mira.
"Well, now I feel a lot less special," she joked. "I suppose I'm going to have to share him with you."
Zindar snorted. "My spirit already gives me more than enough information about what the two of you get up to. You can keep him."
Apparently they were all a little drunk on this post-bond, post-breakthrough high. So much so that Arheis barely heard the gates open well behind them. Only when he turned and saw the three Pruvari from earlier approaching did he put things together.
"You have saved us," the orange-furred Pruvari said, bowing his head to them, his tufted ears pinned back in what looked like deference. "Please, come inside."
"All of us?" he asked tentatively, looking at Zindar.
The Pruvari's gaze fell on Arheis' companion. He seemed to look through Zindar as if searching for something.
"All of you."
26
Despite the adrenaline-fueled, half-delirious, post-battle high they were all experiencing, Arheis knew their "victory" was a half measure at best.
Even as they were led into De'shal and given a hero's welcome, he knew their task wasn't complete. They'd driven the Petravor away from this settlement, yes, but now it was underground again and could threaten Iskaral with ease. After all, if it was capable of coming above ground to try and knock down the walls of De'shal, what was stopping it from doing the same thing in a larger city?
The Pruvari had the benefit of a very large, very advanced wall and anti-siege weaponry, and even that hadn't been enough to deter the beast. How many people would die in Iskaral before the Hunters' Guild managed to subdue it?
It was a bleak thought to have when the citizens of De'shal were celebrating them, but one that kept Arheis grounded just the same, even as young and old Pruvari came up to greet him.
The one good thing about it was that they gave Mira and Zindar the same attention--especially Zindar. As they followed the Elder through the settlement, his friend wasn't receiving the scornful glances of a pariah. He wasn't some exotic, dangerous thing to be gaped at. Several Pruvari reached for him, clasping his arm so that their bracers clinked together.
Zindar seemed stunned by it all. Arheis would have to talk to his friend later about how he was feeling, and maybe gently advise him not to act without caution--these were the same people who’d called him Savage Claw before this little catastrophe, after all.
But right now, there was a more pressing question. He spoke it to the leader, having to almost shout to undercut the din of excitement all around them.
"Do you have any idea why the Petravor was trying so hard to get into De'shal?"
The Elder leaned down so he could hear better, his ear twitching toward Arheis. "No. It has never exhibited this behavior before. For decades it has refused to come near our structures. I do not know what's changed."
"Wait… what about the crystals?" Zindar had shaken off the stupor of his newly-found fame, his gaze fixed upward.
Arheis followed it, his own eyes taking in the impressive statue he'd seen from miles away, when he'd made camp with Zindar that first night. Most of it was thin metal, so close to aluminum as to be indistinguishable to Arheis. But the details--the eyes, horns, spikes, and claws--were made of sparkling blue crystals that caught the sun's rays.
"The World-Shaper has lived around crystals all its life," the Elder pointed out. "I do not see why it would want ours." He frowned, his ears pinning back. "Still, I will have them removed just in case."
The Pruvari had a point, but Arheis couldn't help thinking it was something to do with the crystals. Maybe Archie would know more about it. If he did--if the Petravor was going into a frenzy because of the crystals--that would give them more than enough reason to destroy the things, despite the Prince-Regent's wishes.
"Please, come to my home," the Elder said, trying to usher them out of the square where Pruvari were currently mobbing them. "We will have a feast in your honor."
"We can't stay." Mira's voice held a note of apology, but there was an underlying firmness to it that told him they were on the same page. "Something's wrong with that beast, and the people of Iskaral could be in danger."
"Of course," the Elder said, dipping his head. "Then let us send you back as quickly as possible. Te’dal, if you will ensure three Striders are charged for these heroes."
Zindar gasped, obviously having some clue as to what that sentence even meant. "You're letting us use the Striders? But only the Elders have ever used those…"
"Yes… Zindar." There was a touch of deliberate hesitation in the Pruvari's voice, emphasizing the use of name and not the cruel words they'd used to describe him before. "While I believe our weaponry would have succeeded in the long run and our walls would have held, you performed a great service for this community."
Arheis bristled at the leader's words, that protective instinct flaring to life. Especially when he saw the starry-eyed, awestruck look on Zindar's face. He knew how badly his friend wanted to be accepted by his people, but he was willing to bet the Elder knew that, as well.
"Thank you," Arheis said in as diplomatic a tone as he could manage. Not diplomatic enough, apparently, as the leader turned to him with a look that seemed to search through him. "We really appreciate the help."
The Pruvari's smile didn't reach his eyes, but he gestured for them to follow. The sound of whirring motors and hydraulics cut into the square, drowned out by the excited murmurings of the crowd. While he wasn't sure what he expected Striders to be, Arheis was very surprised to see what looked like Pruvari-operated robots moving with surprising grace into the square.
Their spindly legs were built of sturdy metal with holes in it that reminded him of the construction sets he'd played with as a kid. These supported a chassis which seated one rider, legs stretched out to reach pedals, arms reaching two grips that were mounted behind a robotic head with a blue light at its center that shone brighter than torchlight.
His inner nerd was practically giddy, the prospect of controlling one of these robot mounts almost making him forget about his conflict with the leader and the reason they'd come here in the first place.
Fortunately, the Pruvari weren't the only ones who'd taken to the streets.
"Arheis, my boy!"
The sound of a familiar, boisterous voice snapped him out of his awe and he smiled, facing the source of it. Treyous was there, whole and alive and seeming perfectly well aside from the fact the Bren was supporting much of his weight. He tried to awkwardly hobble closer to Arheis, but she held fast, and Arheis moved toward the man before he hurt himself.
"Trey
ous, I'm so glad to see you up and about." He reached for the man's free hand and clasped it.
"Would you be glad to see him tear his stitches open? Because that's what's about to happen if he doesn't get his ass back to bed." Bren's narrowed gaze made her look like a woman who'd definitely had her fill of nonsense.
"We were under attack," he said in protest. "I wasn't going to lie back and do nothing."
"And what a fierce opponent you would've made, using me as your cane and trying to aim with no balance and only one arm available."
"Bah!" Treyous dismissed her words, and from the look in her eyes, Arheis was sure Bren was about to shank him. "Zindar! Lady Amira! It is good to see you both."
"And you, Captain." Zindar smiled widely, still obviously riding the high of the celebration.
"Good to see you're feeling like yourself again," Mira quipped, though the remark lacked any real bite this time.
Treyous flashed them a grin, shifting his weight to try and stand on his own. Bren kept an iron grip on him. "I would love to catch up with all of you, but I know you'll be wanting to get back to Iskaral as soon as possible."
"Maybe you can join us there, once you're well enough?" Zindar suggested.
"Yes, Gods, please." Bren cast a gaze toward the heavens.
"My first mate has a touch of cabin fever, if you hadn't guessed. But yes, that’s the plan. We can all sit down then over a much-needed drink or ten. In the meantime, Arheis… could I borrow you for a few moments? I'll be brief, but there are some things I need to speak with you about."
Of course. Bren had said as much in her letter. He looked back at his friends, specifically at Mira, who he knew was hurt from the battle.
"Maybe a good time to heal up and get the Striders ready?"
"Agreed on the first part," she said, "Zindar will have to handle the second."
