by Jason Kenyon
‘Come here, you stupid beast!’ Malthanes yelled, his pitch unnaturally high in his panic.
Valia stepped over to him slowly, still taking laboured breaths, and stamped on his left arm to keep it in place. She then stooped and took hold of the amulet around his neck, giving it a sharp tug. The chain broke, and she stepped away from Malthanes again, before tossing the amulet to the floor. Then she stamped on it and it broke under her boot, the shards scattering like droplets of blood.
She looked up into the darkness.
The confusion faded, and Valia smiled as the Syrakh loomed once more from the shadows, its head turned towards hers. It paused above Malthanes, thick saliva dripping from its deadly fangs.
Malthanes looked up, and he tried to push himself to his feet with his remaining arm. All he served to do was make himself an easier target. The Syrakh’s great head lowered, and with casual ease it bit down on Malthanes, before ripping his torso straight from his legs. He barely even made a sound. After a moment’s further consideration, the Syrakh decided that Malthanes would make a poor meal, and tossed his remains off to one side.
Valia nodded at the Syrakh, and then turned to regard Tharanor, who was now on his knees, guarded to either side by her two crimson demons. He stared up at her with hatred as she stood over him, his left eye half-closed from the pain of his injuries, and his face bloodied and bruised. Now that Malthanes was out of the way, Valia felt her anger at Tharanor’s betrayal replace the fear and adrenaline of the battle, and it took all her self-control not to just stab him to death with his own weapon.
‘We had an agreement,’ Valia said, tossing Tharanor’s sword to the ground.
‘You murdered Yuriath,’ Tharanor said.
‘I know I did,’ Valia said.
‘I will never forgive you.’
‘You’re right. You won’t.’
‘Finish it,’ Tharanor said. ‘That’s what you do, isn’t it? Kill people.’
‘You spared me,’ Valia said. ‘You had me at your mercy at Thorn’argen, and you spared me.’
Tharanor watched her silently from beneath his dark brows.
‘So I tell you what,’ Valia said. ‘I’m going to spare you.’
Without Valia speaking a word, the demons guarding him both took hold of his arms in their jaws and dragged him down to the ground on his front, tightening their grip to ensure he did not struggle loose. Valia stepped over to Tharanor’s right side and froze there for several seconds.
‘What are you doing?’ Tharanor asked, unable to look up at her.
‘I have to be sure,’ Valia replied, her ragged breaths coming hard to her as the stress of the situation began to overwhelm her. ‘I can’t let you keep running around being a danger to me. But you spared me. So I’ll spare you.’
‘Valia, what are you…’ Tharanor began.
His question turned into a scream as Valia brought her boot down hard on his right hand, and then she did it again, over and over, adding more force each time. Heedless of his cries, Valia continued to stamp on his hand, long past the point where she heard cracks and saw blood spatter out across the floor.
Finally she stopped, and she stared down at Tharanor, dimly registering that he must have lost consciousness somewhere during it all, and swallowed hard as she took in the ruin of his hand.
‘Oh, gods,’ she said, stumbling away from him. ‘Oh gods, what have you made me do? Tharanor, what did you make me do?’
She looked around herself, as though the companions were going to lunge at her from the shadows at any moment, and she continued to back away from him, hugging herself tight.
‘Damn it, Tharanor, this wasn’t how it was supposed to go!’ Valia said. ‘The others won’t forgive this… not again. They won’t listen to me. I was here to help you. I promised to help you. Why did you make me do this?’
She sank to her knees and then curled up, holding her hands over her head.
Several minutes passed, while the faint yells of battle from outside the Syrakh’s cell echoed all around.
Then Valia looked up.
She turned slowly, and regarded the Syrakh, which was still standing in the middle of the chamber. It watched her silently, and she reached out to it.
‘I get it, now,’ Valia said to it. ‘That’s why they agreed so easily. This was all a sham.’
She rose to her feet unsteadily, feeling her anger coming back to her, and with it came her strength again. So even if she tried to change things, she was just going to be punished? There was no chance of forgiveness for her no matter what she tried? Then what was the point?
‘The old man set me up,’ Valia said to the Syrakh. ‘They just wanted to use me… to use my demons… to stop Malthanes. They were going to kill me from the start. They never really cared about me.’
The Syrakh watched.
‘I’m not dead, though,’ Valia said, her eyes dark. ‘But they are. Go and kill them. Every last one of them! Show them that they don’t get to shit over me. Nobody does! I’m sick to death of it! Sick to death!’
With a thunderous roar, the Syrakh turned and disappeared again into the shadows. As Valia stood there, she heard it unleash its deadly breath on the feeble gates that had held the beast in place while the amulet controlled it. Now it was free, and Valia was going to slaughter them all. If there was no place for her in the world, then she would leave no world for anyone else.
*
Archimegadon and the rest of the companions had made some progress across the cavern, but the battle was not over. Even though Valia’s demons were making dents in the Shield’s defences, the paladins were still holding their own. The companions had managed to stem the paladin assault behind the block buildings, and were taking stock of the situation, as well as using the brief lull to recover. Anjilo and Neurion were attempting some minor healing, but they were tired enough from casting as it was.
‘Ardon, we should try to speed things up,’ Ithalna said. ‘It is highly unlikely that the Shield has not managed to send a warning to the Supreme Commander, and we can expect reinforcements to reach us soon. Valia’s creatures may be powerful, but they are not endless.’
‘Did anyone see what happened to Tharanor?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘He’s not among the dead here,’ Mellara replied. ‘He must have run somewhere.’
Archimegadon wondered about that. Valia and Tharanor both missing? He only hoped that Tharanor hadn’t gone and done something stupid.
‘Sir Mage, when are we sorting out these explosives?’ Obdo asked. ‘Since Miss Harpy’s gone and all, I figured we could get started.’
‘Hmm, you make a fair point,’ Archimegadon said. ‘Anjilo, shall we get to work?’
‘I do need a few minutes before I can start any more fights,’ Anjilo said, wiping her brow.
‘Meaning?’
‘I’m happy to set up the Anji Bombs!’ Anjilo replied. ‘That’ll be a good way to relax.’
This was the last place Archimegadon wanted to relax in, nor indeed was that how he’d choose to rest, but he supposed he’d allow Anjilo her fun. He looked around the cavern, but tucked away behind one of the dour buildings, he didn’t exactly have the best viewpoint. Recalling what he’d seen of the cavern when they’d first entered, with the central castle and the fortified route between that and the entry ramp, he stroked his beard.
‘Where do you feel would be best for us to set them up?’ he asked.
‘Hum, depends where Valia wants to take the Syrakh,’ Anjilo replied. ‘If there’s gates on that castle where it can walk in and out – I’m guessing there must be some, so they can take it out to the tourney – then we’re probably best off finding those.’
‘Great!’ Obdo said. ‘Let’s get started then. I’m finally starting to feel like things might go our way.’
As Obdo struck a triumphant pose, there was the sound of a great outburst of energy somewhere off in the direction of the castle, and the very cavern shook with its force. He looked between th
e other companions, who had all similarly frozen.
‘Uh… did anyone else hear that?’ Obdo asked.
‘No, Obdo, nobody heard that earth-shattering blast,’ Archimegadon replied, ‘you utter imbecile.’
‘I don’t have a good feeling about this,’ Mellara said. ‘Perhaps it’s time we…’
She fell silent and turned hastily, drawing an arrow and firing it. Archimegadon followed the shot and saw it strike one of Valia’s green demons, which had suddenly charged for them. Mellara drew another arrow right away, but there were no other demons in sight; she continued to keep an eye out, however, and backed away from the edges of the building to give herself the best overview of the area.
‘Uhm, that was definitely going for you,’ Anjilo said.
‘Do you think Valia might be dead?’ Neurion asked.
Archimegadon stared off in the direction of the Shield’s underground castle. ‘I am starting to suspect that things might have turned sour…’
Together, they rushed around the building just in time to see the form of the gargantuan Syrakh come into view, charging with worrying speed from the darkness behind the castle. It was even more frightening than Archimegadon had imagined. Since he’d last seen it at the Ferrina city gates, the paladins had apparently fashioned it into a deadly war machine, from the armour plating protecting its most vulnerable areas, to the deadly spikes jutting from its head and back.
It let out a roar that echoed all around, and then breathed its deadly magic breath over the nearest group of paladins, leaving scorched ground and very little else. Not satisfied with this, it disappeared from view in apparent pursuit of more victims.
‘By the Light,’ Neurion said.
‘The bloody thing’s loose!’ Obdo said. ‘We’re dead!’
‘It might not go for us!’ Mellara said, giving him a shove. ‘But yeah, I think it’s time we screwed the plan and ran for it!’
‘Agreed,’ Archimegadon said.
‘What about Tharanor?’ Neurion asked.
Mellara sighed. ‘I’ll go find him. Obdo, give me my fancy arrows.’
‘You sure about this, Missy Red-Eyes?’ Obdo asked, but he fumbled through his pack and pulled out a bundle of arrows that had been tied up together.
‘I’ll be fine,’ Mellara replied with a crooked grin. ‘I’m the best at scouting, you’ll all just bumble into danger. Now get going!’
‘Yes ma’am!’ Obdo said, throwing a salute.
Archimegadon disliked splitting the group even more, but he wasn’t particularly fond of the thought of being burnt, stomped, and ripped apart by a giant deranged lizard demon either, so he swallowed his fears and pride and ran after the others. Unfortunately, it seemed that Valia’s demons had got their scent, and the companions swiftly became aware of the loping shadows following them.
‘Neurion, you get our feet, and I’ll shield us!’ Anjilo said.
Neurion nodded at her and spoke a prayer to the Light. Moments later, Archimegadon felt his feet lighten, and nearly fell flat on his face as his pace increased quite significantly. Anjilo, meanwhile, kept an eye behind them, maintaining a shield of light energy as some of the Shulgar came close and began to try nipping at their heels. The two that got close withdrew as their muzzles were singed by the light, while Ithalna conjured a vortex and sent it into the advancing demon pack, causing them to stumble into each other. As the distance between them opened up, the demons gave up on the companions and loped off in pursuit of the Shield’s paladins instead.
‘Well, this is a disaster,’ Archimegadon said.
‘Ah, could be worse,’ Anjilo said, giving an over-cheerful grin.
She looked behind again to prepare another shield of light energy, only to make a very unusual noise indeed. Archimegadon looked round at her in confusion, and then saw why.
The Syrakh was charging towards them, and while it was quite a distance away, it was advancing upon them with distressing speed. Indeed, it was so focused on them that it was ignoring the Shield forces that were attempting to bring it down, and barely paused to incinerate a few of them with its deadly breath, slamming barricades and paladins out of the way with its armoured head.
‘This is a job for mages,’ Ithalna said, adjusting her position in the fleeing group of companions to join Anjilo at the back.
‘Shouldn’t we just keep running?’ Archimegadon asked.
‘Shut up!’ Ithalna replied. ‘Anjilo, please set out your explosives. Master Forseld and I will delay the beast.’
‘You’re insane!’ Obdo said.
‘Now, Obdo!’ Ithalna shouted.
‘Yes, miss,’ Obdo said.
Ithalna grabbed Archimegadon’s arm and pulled him with her to face the distant Syrakh, which would likely close the gap between them within a few dozen seconds if the Shield couldn’t delay it.
‘Now, Master Forseld, if you ever paid attention during my lessons, this is the moment where you must show it,’ Ithalna said. ‘My power is control, and yours is destruction. Let us use them in concert.’
‘Erm..?’
‘I will trip it and you blast it in the face!’
‘Ah! Of course. I am, after all, Archimegadon, Mage for Hire!’
Feeling far less confident than he wanted to show, Archimegadon rolled back his sleeves and readied himself to cast the mightiest flamebolt ever known to mankind. Ithalna was already stirring up the air, and her eyes were closed as she muttered mysterious phrases over and over in succession. Behind them, Obdo and Neurion were setting out the metallic devices Anjilo had prepared, while Anjilo poured explosive powder into each one and spoke hurried blessings.
‘We are completely buggered,’ Archimegadon said.
‘Enough of that, Ardon,’ Ithalna said. ‘Stick to your beloved fire magic, and focus.’
Archimegadon glared at her petulantly, but swallowed his fear and waited for the Syrakh to come close enough for a flamebolt. He didn’t know that he could do this. Every natural instinct in him was shrieking that he was going to die, and that he should have just bolted for it, whatever the cost of letting the Syrakh run free.
‘How are those explosives coming along?’ Archimegadon asked, as the Syrakh paused in its charge to trample a particularly stubborn group of paladins.
‘Not sure if we’ve got enough!’ Anjilo replied.
‘It is nearly here,’ Ithalna said. ‘We are going to need to engage the Syrakh if this takes much longer.’
‘I’m going as fast as I can!’ Anjilo said.
‘I am not blaming you,’ Ithalna said. ‘Merely keeping you up-to-date on the situation.’
‘How are you this calm?’ Archimegadon asked.
Ithalna smiled at him. ‘Because I have my magic, Master Forseld. I can deal with such a lumbering beast as this so long as I can make use of my powers.’
Archimegadon watched with dismay as the Syrakh finished off the last group of paladins, and wasn’t particularly sure if he agreed. All the same, he had little choice now. He’d committed himself, and would probably not have time to run.
The Syrakh turned to face the group, and Archimegadon felt a shivering confirmation in his chest that the creature was indeed not attempting to reach the ramp – its targets were the companions.
‘Almost,’ Ithalna said.
‘Stop that!’ Archimegadon said. ‘You’re making it worse.’
‘Now!’ Ithalna said, ignoring him.
With a wave of her staff, Ithalna sent the vortex down the trail that led to the castle, as the Syrakh charged right towards them. The swirling winds hit the demon’s left foreleg, and Ithalna made another gesture, causing the spell to yank the leg sideways. With a roar of frustration, the Syrakh tottered briefly, but it was quick to regain its balance.
‘Attack it!’ Ithalna shouted.
‘For I am flamebolt!’ Archimegadon yelled in a panic.
The fiery ball of destruction blasted out of his hands with such force that it actually threw him backwards, and he nearly lande
d on the Anji Bombs. He looked up in time to see the flamebolt strike the Syrakh full in the face, but despite the impressive detonation it left little mark on the creature’s strangely-armoured head.
‘Not to worry,’ Ithalna said, and she conjured another gust of air, manipulating it rapidly until she had formed another small cyclone, which she used to force the Syrakh’s right foreleg back a pace.
Archimegadon got to his feet and shot off another flamebolt, hitting the demon’s right foreleg as well. Along with the vortex, it made the Syrakh stumble, and bought a few more precious seconds. Then some of the Shield paladins attacked the Syrakh from the back, causing it to pause to swipe at them with its tail, which had been studded with iron spikes.
‘Uh, I think this’ll do,’ Anjilo said. ‘Let’s get m…’
The Syrakh swatted the last paladin it cared about with its tail, and then charged again, blasting the ground near Ithalna with its magic breath. She abandoned her magic and ran for it, yanking Archimegadon with her as she fled. Obdo and Neurion nearly fell over each other in their hurry, and Anjilo lingered to say a swift prayer over the last Anji Bomb before uttering a quick ‘OH LIGHT’ and racing after the others.
However, the Syrakh did not halt its deadly breath, and as it charged towards the patch of Anji Bombs, its mix of Light and elemental magic fell upon them as well. Archimegadon looked back fearfully, realising that they had left it too late, and then watched with a sinking heart as the Syrakh’s flames set off the Anji Bombs.
There was a thunderous detonation, and all Archimegadon saw was light.
Chapter Thirty-Four: The Deal
Her Radiance, Supreme Commander Salestis de’Cirana, beheld the ruins of all her plans.
She’d been having an unpleasant enough evening anyway. After finishing her dinner, she’d returned to her chambers with Lyssina, and the two of them had sat on the floor together like old times, talking in the darkness with just a candle lighting the space between them. Salestis had dredged up so many bad memories, and the whole experience had been both difficult and necessary.
