“I count Five hundred demons,” Viriel said. “I can handle them,” Davyd said. “I will handle Sloth.” Said Dreygo. “We will both handle him, Dreygo. You cannot take him alone.” Viriel said. “Be advised. He’s in his true form.” Said Dreygo. “How can you handle five hundred demons with only a couple of arrows at your back?” Elaine asked, worried about Davyd’s arsenal. “I have my dagger here. I can take all of them. Don’t worry Elaine.” “Dreygo and I are going to attack in stealth. Distracting Sloth will give us the advantage in the shadows.” Davyd started to land among the heaving demon warriors. Metals clanked as they unsheathed their swords from their metallic scabbards, axes, knives, and shields. One could always be appalled by such an army; stinking skins, grotesque faces, improper and rustic armor, blunt weapons, and the disorganization of ranks. The crowd roared to engage. Davyd emptied his fifty arrows on his back for less than ten seconds and every mark was successful. He
“Viriel! Davyd! It’s a trap!” Screamed Dreygo. He was looking upwards. Viriel too levelled to where Dreygo’s eyes fell. Davyd continued his attack with his bow and arrow, unknown of the imminent danger. Sloth receded to a corner. Arrows plunging the surface of Sloth’s armor but not deeply enough to penetrate the skin. It was Sloth’s way of defending the raining arrows at a simultaneous pace from the hunter. He let them land on his armor, others were compelled to misdirect. “Davyd!” Dreygo screamed once more. Davyd was distracted with his attacks on Sloth. There were weapons floating high above their heads, pointing below them. A simple trigger would drop the weapons to the ground fast, surely killing them. A rain of blades more lethal than rocks of fire in Hell. Maybe Viriel will only survive. He had the ability to cover himself with his wings. Running to him for shelter could not be possible, he could only try but could be too late. If weapons dive to the ground, killing every livi
Thousands of ether strands escaped from Sloth’s body, rapidly diving deep through the ground. Screeching painfully to normal ears. The chosen journey through the tunnels was risky but it ended right. They had saved Manuheim another day without destruction, but the inevitable was still forming to fruition. They might have ceased one enemy’s plan but Kragus was known to have many plans, each were carefully thought of and effective so far. It could be his journey through the tunnels was also calculated by the hell god. Maybe it was a trap. Maybe Manuheim was already fallen above ground without them knowing. They traveled over a day inside the tunnels and lots would have transpired already in the Capital. They recollected their strengths after moments of significant rest. They mourned over Davyd, venerating a large gigantic tree that sprouted from the ground. Elaine let go of her tears, sobbing hard and kneeling before the tree, curling. Dreygo held his emotions. She dug her knees again
He was tired of the kneeling position since he was thrown into prison. His golden shackles had magic in them that no being could break. His wings were clipped downward with the same chains that restricted him to move significantly. He could so much wince as one of the available movements he could make, including the screaming. His armor was stripped from him, the fine sheet of a cloth that made his shirt had served little to protect him from grazing himself from the rough points of the chain that wound up his body. It was an interrogation room, not the actual prison cell. In front of him was a transparent glass, probably unbreakable, offering the view of the Capital beyond the patches of heavy forestation. Footfalls were now audible from behind him, closing on as somebody entered the chambers. The clanking of armor as they moved was music to Nethaniel’s ears. They were the prison guards addressing somebody who entered. He missed those clanking sounds of warriors’ armors moving so sh
Viriel took the book out. Dreygo stopped from munching his food. “Aren’t you gonna eat first? I never saw you eat.” Dreygo asked. “Well, we angels can survive even without eating,” Viriel answered. “Good for you. Ok then. Let’s see what's good about the forbidden spells.” “You may not find this book helpful, Dreygo.” “Why not?” Elaine asked, interjecting. “Because…” Viriel stuttered. “Because what?” “Because someone’s coming. Put out the smoke.” Viriel demanded. “Who?” Dreygo asked, unsheathing his sword from beside him. Elaine put out the fire with her feet. “I don’t know. But he’s close.” Dreygo stood up. His eyes trained on the surroundings, swept from left to right. He saw nobody. Not a soul. Not until he found shrubs moving from a distance. “I see something,” Dreygo said. Unknowingly, a cold sharp edge blade caressed gently Dreygo’s neck. The blade was a quarter-inch closer to his jugular vein and one quick sweep would deliver his death. So, he stood still instead. Th
Three Angel Guards, believed to be Skullgorn scouts had different armor in them, camouflaging along the forest with their grey armor and green regalias. Their black wings were kept folded for further obscurity. They have spears instead of swords. “Clever as you are, Blacksmith. But you are the one who is trapped.” The one in front said with a hint of mockery on his expression. “Such tone, scout, is insulting your senior,” Zudkiel said. “I have rarely met with an attitude like yours in this realm. All of them met their embarrassing deaths.” “Well, there is no escape for you now, Blacksmith. All we have to do is attack you at your back. You can’t turn with both feet on the ground.” “Seems that you do not know my powers, scout,” Zudkiel replied. “There is no need.” The scout gripped his spear strongly and danced it deftly turning with both hands. Such speed calls upon the sound of the wind as the blade slice through the mist. The mist dance along with it. Then stopped, the blade poin
Skullgorn, Manuheim, Heaven *** It climbed down the pillar, head first. Its claws were buried against the stonework. His head with whiskers like spears, and his forearms were the first to reveal from the mantle of darkness from above, then its torsos with stripes like tiger but skin like a snake, then its tail was long and strong. Its eyes, yellow and luminous, locked on them like they were helpless prey. Its size was gargantuan like they were a little mouse. “What the…” Dreygo reacted first. “The same but a different kind of breed, I guess.” “Why do you say so? It’s the same ugliness, I suppose.” Zudkiel said. “I have a bad feeling about this,” Dreygo said, his sword ready. Hell beasts were pure ugly and rotten as if they all came from one creator. But this Hellcat, it’s not the same anymore. First, he had ever seen, seemingly modified, or experimented to become hybrids of several kinds. “Elaine, hide!” The words came almost involuntarily. Elaine scuttled immediately behind the
Skullgorn, Manuheim, Heaven *** The third level of Skullgorn was not what they expected. It somewhat emulated a King’s chamber. Chandeliers, bright and golden, hung overhead but without chains, seemingly an invisible energy kept them afloat. Carpets weaved with rare linen of Oshengard, placed on sides, and to the hallway. The stonework of walls and columns was molded impressively, shiny and marbled, and patterned with symbols. The room was wide and columned. Weapons with high-class sophistication were displayed on the walls, on the columns, and together with shields and armor. Three prison guards, the same regalia as the Angel scouts they had met outside Skullgorn, greeted them with hostility. “Prison Guards of Skullgorn, I am Zudkiel. The Hero of Manuheim. If you know me, let us pass to that door.” Zudkiel pointed to large double doors behind the three prison guards as he ambled first among the group. “We know who you are old soul. And your agenda is not welcome here.” “Call yo