Last of the Nephilim

by Bryan Davis

  Abraham straightened his body and looked the newcomer in the eye. “I expected you, but not in this form.”

  Dragon’s smile widened. “I am showing you this projected image to demonstrate how I was able to convince one of your wisest citizens to do my will.” As he stretched out his hand, a fruit appeared on his palm, an applelike spheroid with a single bite missing from its flesh. “You thought that keeping your people from the knowledge of good and evil would protect them, that my master would never be able to corrupt your land. Flint proved you wrong, but that wasn’t enough to persuade you, because my master was still blocked from entering your realm and spoiling your dictatorial rule. Now that I have plucked an Eve from your Garden of Eden, we will leave your village and populate this world with people who will have true knowledge and freedom.”

  The sound of steel sliding on steel made Elam turn. Sir Barlow was drawing his sword and sidestepping toward the garden. He nodded at Jared, who began to make his way to the opposite side of the ghost.

  Angel pulled away from Valiant and tried to caress Dragon’s hand, but as her own hands passed through, she could only intertwine her fingers. “I don’t understand,” she said. “How will we populate the world if we leave the village? This is the only birthing garden.”

  “Is it the only one?” He lowered himself to a crouch next to one of the garden’s plants. He wrapped his fingers around the thick supporting stem, and as he tightened his grip, his hand transformed into a dragon’s clawed forefoot. “What is this?” he asked.

  Angel stooped with him. “Why do you ask that, Dragon? It’s a baby, probably three months from harvesting. You have seen your own children come from—”

  “No!” Abraham shouted. “Don’t!”

  The man’s sleeve morphed into scales, completing a dragon’s foreleg from his humanlike shoulder down. He flexed his muscles and ripped the plant out of the ground.

  Loud gasps erupted from the crowd. Elam leaped toward him, but the man threw the plant high into the air. Angel lunged for it but tripped and fell, then lay still in the dirt. Elam positioned himself underneath the plant, but when it fell into his arms, a sickening crack sounded from within the pod. The leaves fell to the side, revealing an ovular sac covered with a gauzelike mesh. He tried to look within, but as fluid leaked over his fingers, he screamed, “No! How could you do this?”

  Valiant crouched over Angel, his dagger raised. “Attack! I will protect her!”

  Jared and Barlow rushed toward the garden, but the newcomer suddenly swelled in size, his skin hardening and turning red and scaly. His face and nose stretched into a toothy snout.

  Jared grabbed Barlow and pulled him back. “It’s Goliath! We can’t fight him with our bare hands.”

  Barlow waved his sword, his face blood red. “Then he will feel the wrath of my bare steel!” He charged, but Goliath slapped the sword away with his tail and shot out a narrow stream of fire. Barlow dropped to the ground. The flames flew over his head and splashed against another plant. He shuffled to it on his knees and brushed the flames off the pod with his hands, then, covering it with his body, he yelled, “You cowardly snake! Killing babies to save your worthless hide!”

  “A cowardly snake, am I?” Goliath stepped out of the garden, turned toward it, and laughed. “I am merely extinguishing my enemies before they rise from the dead.”

  Elam gave the broken sac to Abraham, charged to the edge of the garden, and ran up the scales on Goliath’s back. He grabbed the scaly neck and tried to jerk it to the side, hoping to throw off his aim, but Goliath raised his tail and swatted him away.

  After flying through the air, Elam landed feetfirst beside the nearest row of onlookers. As his momentum threw him back, several hands caught him and propped him up.

  Goliath drew in a deep breath and aimed his snout at the remaining plants. A tawny dragon swooped down from the sky and smashed into him. The two dragons tumbled to the ground near the onlookers, snapping and clawing. As the people scattered, a rider flew off the attacking dragon, a drawn sword in his outstretched arm. He fell on his bottom, flipped into a backward somersault, and landed on his seat again.

  Elam ran to the fallen rider and helped him up. “Billy Bannister?” Elam asked.

  “Yeah.” Billy brushed a clod of dirt from his face. “Sorry about the fall.”

  “It’s okay. We have to help Thigocia, she looks—”

  “Billy!” Jared’s voice rang out. He and Valiant were helping Angel walk, one on each side, but her feet barely touched the garden soil. Her eyes darted all around, and her mouth hung open. When they laid her next to where Abraham sat, she curled into a fetal position and wept.

  Jared raised his hand and called again. “Billy! Barlow! Elam! Rally to me!”

  Elam and Billy sprinted past the fighting dragons and stopped at Jared’s side. Along with Valiant and Barlow, they formed a circle. “Dad,” Billy said, “Did you say that dragon is Goliath?”

  “Yes.” Jared swung his head from side to side. “Where are Ashley and Walter? We’re going to need Ashley’s healing power.”

  Billy pointed toward the garden, breathless. “Just before I took off, she and Walter went somewhere in there. I haven’t seen them since.”

  “We have two swords and a dagger,” Barlow said. “If we all charge together, we should be able to save Thigocia.”

  “The smaller dragon is losing the battle,” Valiant said. “Let us attack at once!”

  Jared thrust his arm toward the struggling dragons. “Now!”

  All five men charged, three with weapons raised, but before they could get to Thigocia, Goliath clamped his teeth around her neck and tossed her body to the side. With a mighty snort, he shot a blast of fire directly at them. They dove out of the way, three to the left and two to the right.

  When they landed, Elam and Billy banged their heads together. Sitting up, Elam rubbed his head. “We have to try again.”

  Billy grabbed his arm. “Wait until Dad and the others are ready. I can’t see them, but maybe they’ll signal for us to attack.”

  Thigocia struggled to her feet, flapping her damaged wings to keep her balance as she glared at Goliath. “You will not carry out what you whispered in my ear,” she growled. “It is obscene. I will die before I let you singe one more leaf.”

  “How convenient,” Goliath said. “I will grant your wish and then kill every weed in the garden.”

  Thigocia’s voice lowered to a plaintive call. “My son, do not let the spirits of the Nephilim control your mind. You are stronger than they are. Listen to the voice of your mother and come back to me.”

  For a moment, Goliath’s eyes dimmed. His head tilted to the side, and he whispered, “Mother?”

  “Son.” Thigocia shuffled toward him. “Fight them, Goliath. Fight them with all your heart. Come back to me. Help me find your father, and we will be a family again.”

  Goliath’s eyes flashed red. “My father!” A torrent of flames stormed from his mouth and nostrils and splashed into Thigocia’s face. He flew at her, his jaws snapping. She toppled over and let him fly past. In a flurry, he swung back around and tried to land on top of her, but she swatted him with her tail, forcing him to touch down between her and the human onlookers.

  Barlow charged from behind, but Goliath slapped him away with a wing, sending him rolling. He came to a stop next to Abraham and moved no more.

  “That’s a good enough signal!” Billy shouted.

  He and Elam both lunged toward Goliath, but Jared dashed in front of them and pushed them back. “No! He’s too powerful. You’ll just end up like Barlow or worse.”

  Billy jerked away, his cheeks flaming. “Why did I give up my dragon powers? I could use my fire breathing right now!”

  His own cheeks matching Billy’s, Jared lowered his voice to a growl. “What’s done is done. Don’t you think I want to be Clefspeare right now? We both have to live with our choices. We won’t defeat anyone if we lament the past!”

  Goliath let
out a guttural laugh. “Go ahead and bicker amongst yourselves. I have work to do.” Spreading out his wings, he launched himself toward Thigocia, his claws extended.

  Thigocia dodged again, but as he passed by, Goliath wrapped his tail around her neck and jerked her to the ground. He flipped her on her back and pressed his clawed foot on the soft part of her underbelly. The old wound gaped under the pressure, and blood poured around the edges of the larger dragon’s foot.

  Goliath’s eyes flashed. “It is time for you to meet the Maker you love so much.”

  Elam pulled away from Jared and rushed toward them. Goliath shot out a river of fire, but a scream filled the air, making him turn his head skyward. A dragon carrying two riders swooped down, clawed at his eyes, and slapped his snout with its tail.

  As the new dragon zoomed away, Jared pointed. “It’s my—It’s Roxil!”

  Goliath swayed to the side, dazed. His eyes dimmed again, and sparks dribbled from his mouth.

  That was just the opening Elam needed. He scaled Goliath’s back once more, wrapped an arm around his neck, and pressed a hand over his eyes. Goliath swung his head back and forth. Elam’s legs flew, but he squeezed his torso tightly against the sharp spines. They stung and ripped his clothes, and his wounds throbbed, but he had to hold on long enough for Thigocia to escape.

  “Roxil!” Elam’s voice rattled as he rode the wild dragon. “Pick up your mother!” He had no idea where Roxil had flown; he could only hope that she had stayed within range of his voice.

  Billy, Jared, and Valiant rushed into the melee. Goliath dropped to his belly, covering his soft spot. Valiant hacked at the dragon’s scales with his dagger. Billy jabbed his snout with his sword. Jared ran up Goliath’s flank and bent back one of the longer spines.

  In a gust of wind, Roxil landed at Thigocia’s side. Walter and Ashley scrambled down, Walter brandishing Excalibur as he jumped toward Goliath. He stabbed the dragon just above his hip joint. The great sword was so sharp, it pierced the armor and penetrated several inches.

  Goliath flew into a wild rage, flapping his wings and slapping his tail all around. He bucked Jared off. Whipping his neck, he slung Elam to the ground. Then, beating his wings, Goliath leaped over his attackers, snatched up Angel in one of his claws, and landed back in the garden. He threw her to the ground at the center. With the moon bathing her in yellow, she rolled to a stop next to the single plant that had been the only one in this section. Its leaves had peeled to the side, and its inner sac lay on the ground, ripped to shreds.

  Goliath lifted his head and roared. “Now is the time! Let my army come to my aid!”

  A clap of thunder shot across the sky. The earth quaked violently, tossing every human to the ground. Elam tried to get up, but as he pushed with his hands, the shock waves knocked him flat. He rolled to his back. His bones rattled, but he managed to brace his hands against the grass and watch Goliath.

  The dragon roared again. “If anyone takes a single step toward me, I will kill this woman instantly and incinerate every precious weed in your garden.”

  Black liquid poured from the darkness above and splashed over Angel’s body. Thicker than tar, it pinned her in place, and as more spilled down, it piled up in a flexible column that rippled with every shake of the earth. After a few seconds, the column tilted. A stair step formed next to Angel, and, one by one, more steps cut into the column until the stairway reached out of sight.

  Angel struggled to get up, but the sticky goo held her fast, covering her body from her knees to her neck as though she had become the doormat for whatever might descend from the heavens. For a moment, the earthquake stopped. Then, a loud boom sounded from high above, then another and another, each one closer than the one before.

  With the ground now stable, Elam struggled to his feet and joined Billy, Walter, and the others as they gathered in front of Thigocia and Roxil. Most of the people had run back to the village, and a few men were already returning with crude swords and shields. Abraham sat with Sir Barlow, touching a wound on the knight’s head. Acacia stood with her back to Listener and Paili, her hood over her head as she spread her cloak to shield them.

  Breathing rapidly, Thigocia touched Roxil with a wing. “My daughter, how did you become a dragon again?”

  Roxil blinked at her outstretched wings. “I do not know, but I think this is no time to try to find answers.”

  “Yeah,” Walter said, holding Excalibur out in front. “Something creepy’s coming down the steps. It has to be the Nephilim we saw at the top of the chasm.”

  Roxil stepped in front of Thigocia and Ashley and spread out her wings. “I will protect both of you. Goliath would not dare attack. I know my mate’s weaknesses.”

  As more thumps sounded from above, Valiant flashed his dagger. “I must save Angel!” He bent over and ran into the garden, well away from Goliath, and disappeared into the darkness.

  Billy held up his sword and stood next to Walter. “Let’s run interference, or he’s toast.”

  “But didn’t he say he’d kill her?” Walter asked.

  “I don’t believe him. I think he needs her.”

  “Okay, but we’d better be fast, or we’ll get a hotfoot.”

  “Or a hot something else.”

  The thumps continued, echoing across the land like gunshots. Goliath stood still. He looked up the staircase, but he kept glancing back at the villagers as they drew nearer with their weapons.

  Jared touched Elam’s arm. “Come with me. We’ll check on Barlow and get his sword.”

  “And assemble our soldiers,” Elam added. “I don’t think they have much experience battling dragons.” He was about to add, “and neither do I,” but thought better of it.

  Ashley pulled Elam’s shirt, drawing him back. “Can you send Acacia over here?”

  Tears streaming down her dirty face, Ashley pressed the heel of her hand on Thigocia’s wound. Blood oozed over her skin and dripped to the grass. “I have to try to heal my mother,” she said. “I hope it’s not too late.”

  Elam nodded at Roxil. “Can she provide the fire?”

  Ashley raised her other hand. A red welt blistered her skin from her wrist to her knuckles. “We already tested it. Her flames burn.”

  “Okay. I’ll get her as soon as I can.” He patted Jared’s back. “Let’s go!”

  Billy and Walter hustled to the edge of the garden, while Jared and Elam skulked over to Abraham, both bending low.

  Jared sank to his knees and propped Barlow up. “Is he all right?”

  “He is alive,” Abraham said, “but he is no more fit for battle than I am.”

  Barlow blinked at Jared. “Help me up, my good fellow. As long as I have breath, I will fight. I will teach that dragon some manners he will never forget.”

  “You’re staying put.” Jared touched a gash on Barlow’s head and rubbed a smear of blood between his thumb and finger. “That wound goes all the way to your skull.”

  “I use my sword, not my skull. I will—”

  “You have to rest!” Elam snapped. “As warrior chief, I command it.”

  Barlow heaved a sigh. “If I must stay, I will help the Oracle defend the young lasses.”

  “Right,” Elam said. “The Oracle.” He scooted over to Acacia. “Ashley needs you to help her heal Thigocia.”

  She lowered her hood, revealing her snow white hair. “Who will protect Abraham and the girls? I cannot defeat Goliath with fire, but at least I can fend him off.”

  Jared picked up Barlow’s sword. “Send Roxil over here. She and I can hold them off.”

  “Them?” Abraham asked. “Are you familiar with who is marching down the stairs?”

  Jared lifted the sword’s point toward the sky. “If they’re the ones we saw at the top of the chasm, we’re in for a long night.”

  “The night is not so long.” Abraham looked toward the horizon. “Something is terribly amiss. Day is at hand, far sooner than normal.”

  Elam followed his line of sight. The sky
had turned a light shade of violet, and hints of orange colored the tops of the mountains in the distance. “With all your people coming with weapons,” Elam said to Abraham, “should I organize—”

  “No. Stay here. I have another job for you.”

  A loud cry sounded from the garden. Billy leaped toward Goliath, hacked at his scaly flank with his sword, then jumped away. Walter did the same at the other flank. As Goliath swung his neck back and forth and spat fireballs in both directions, the two boys continued to lunge and dodge, unable to land solid blows.

  Behind Goliath, Valiant crawled up to Angel and began cutting away the hardened black gunk that held her down. She had stopped struggling, apparently unconscious now as he dug his dagger into her prison wall.

  Thump! The newest footfall, closer than ever, shook the ground. Billy and Walter glanced at the stairs, but they kept playing their cat and mouse game with Goliath. The light from the rising sun cast yellow rays across the sky. Human forms took shape high on the staircase, huge men marching downward single file, carrying long spears with silvery blades that glinted in the light.

  Valiant carved a long slice in the black floor mat, slid Angel out, and hoisted her over his shoulder. As soon as he disappeared with her in the shadows, Walter and Billy sprinted back to the field, leaping from side to side to dodge Goliath’s spewing fire. When they reached the others, they turned toward the garden, both breathing heavily. Walter laid a hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Great to fight with you again, buddy.”

  “Yeah.” Billy leaned over and rested a hand on his knee. “But let’s not tackle a huge dragon too many more times, okay?”

  “I wouldn’t count on it.” Walter turned toward the side of the field. “I’m going to check on Ashley.”

  Goliath again looked up to the sky. The tromping feet had come within a hundred yards, carrying at least seven or eight giants, maybe more.