Lost Empire (26 page)
Authors: Jeff Gunzel
Tags: #Epic, #Sword & Sorcery, #Action & Adventure, #Science Fiction & Fantasy, #epic fantasy dark fantasy adventure action adventure fantasy, #Fantasy, #dark fantasy horror, #action thriller suspense supernatural powers series science fiction magic fiction, #Genre Fiction, #Literature & Fiction
He raised his hand up high once more with the intent of ending this, his razor sharp claws fully extended out this time, but his eyes suddenly widened as he gazed down the street. With her one good eye, Athel was able to see spots of golden light reflect off his chest and twinkle in his eyes. He used the very hand he was going to gut her with to quickly push off and get back to his feet, then slowly backed away with a look of fear in his eyes.
Eric didn’t utter a single word as he approached, his blazing sword working slow circles around him while leaving a lingering red trail. He wasn’t sneaking or showing any caution whatsoever, just methodically stalking an inferior prey. His curly hair was matted down with sweat, hiding his eyes except for the constant golden glow. His teeth were exposed in a permanent snarl as he walked straight for him, not showing the least bit of respect for this animal’s abilities.
A low, rumbling sound signaled the approach of yet more of the rolling monstrosities from around the corner. Zhou smiled as he raised his hand, then pointed right at Eric without ever turning around. The two remaining balls of death began to roll toward him as Zhou broke off down an opposite alley, silently relived not to have to engage this unnatural being. They began to pick up speed as Eric kept walking right toward them, wearing the same dark smile. His blazing sword continued to dance around him before he suddenly broke into a full sprint, as if intending to run right through them. At the last second before colliding with them, he disappeared into the golden portal that flashed open then snapped shut the second he entered.
The boachards rolled right through the remaining yellow sparks, then slowed down. They each rose up into their towering forms, looking around in confusion. Then the same streak of golden light opened right behind them as Eric casually stepped through. He was in no hurry and didn’t care if they saw him or not. They turned quickly with their segmented staffs in hand, but the end came so fast they never even had time to react.
Eric’s flaming blade was a blur as the screeching sound of shredding steel rang its shrill high-pitched song into the air. He slashed through each of them multiple times as he performed six different forms in under three seconds, all with the speed of a viper. In one clean motion he sent the whirling blade back into its sheath and turned away, never even bothering to look back. The bug-like creatures didn’t move at all...at first. Then and arm hit the ground...another arm...a head...part of a torso... They each crumbled into pieces, now lying in a pool of blue liquid.
Jacob had crawled to Athel’s side and was holding her head in his lap. “Is she Ok?” Eric asked. The golden light had fled from his eyes. In a heartbeat, he had become himself once more.
Jacob smiled as he always did when he had just escaped death’s grasp. He looked back down at Athel as she smiled back up at him. Her wounds appeared to be healing right before his eyes. “Yeah, we’re fine. You’re lucky I was here, you know. I don’t know how you would ever get by without me.”
Eric just shook his head and embraced his friend. “Agreed, brother. I have no idea what I would do without you.” Athel slowly got to her feet and joined in the group hug. She was pretty banged up, but still able to move around on her own.
Jacob nodded toward the sunrise. “You’ve done it. You made it. Tell me, do you feel like yourself? Or do you have the urge to eat me?”
She smiled through her battered face and threw her arms over his shoulders. “Not a day goes by when I don’t have the urge to bite you.” Whether or not it was seeing her good friend in trouble, or just through willpower alone, she had managed to keep her thoughts intact.
Eric’s smile only lasted a second before he suddenly began running toward the limping movement he saw from the corner of his eye. He held Jade firmly and quickly wrapped one of her arms over his shoulder. “I heard you,” he said in her ear. “I knew you were alive and it gave me strength. I’m never going to leave you again.”
In a weak voice, she said, “I owe this girl everything. I couldn’t have done it without her.” She nodded behind her as Nima came walking up.
She looked around with a deep sadness in her eyes. The bodies of men and woman she had known for years lay in the street; homes had been crushed into nothing. She sighed and took a deep breath. “No doubt you all want answers as to who they were and why they came here.” She sighed once more. “Come, all of you. It’s time you met Kelus.”
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