The Godsfall Chronicles

Cloudhawk had silently vanished like a drop of dew before the morning sun . Something so supernatural as disappearing into thin air wasn’t something typical humans were capable of – did this mean this kid was also a demonhunter?

Hydra, Snaketooth and Artemis were absolutely shocked . Were their eyes deceiving them?

Leonine had witnessed Cloudhawk kill a man with a single blow when they first met . The scoundrel had been no weakling, but was nonetheless broken in half . He’d known there was something special, but he figured it was the staff he used and thought nothing more about it . Now he thought this had to be the legendary power of the demonhunters he was seeing .   This unremarkable kid was wielding the power of that holy order . It was almost unbelievable .

The scene had also startled Mantis and the Bloodsoaked Queen, though they were surprised for different reasons .

Both of them had spent more time with Cloudhawk and knew what he was capable of . He was average, another face in the crowd, nowhere near the skills of an outpost’s elite fighters . And yet, though there was a clear difference in abilities between him and Panther, the kid was holding his own . At least he had a chance to hit back .

His speed and strength, all of his abilities had substantially increased seemingly without foundation . How could he have changed so much literally overnight?

Before they could puzzle out an answer a scream pierced the air . Cloudhawk’s exorcist staff appeared from the ether, aimed at Panther’s abdomen . The fighter caught it by clamping his sais crossways over the shaft . Amidst the screech of steel the staff’s keen tip pierced his leather armor . A moment later and it would have pierced flesh .

Whoos.h.!.+

Cloudhawk wrenched his staff back and juked left . He brought the staff cras.h.i.+ng down from overhead .

Panther deflected them again . Their weapons met amidst a loud clang, and the power that vibrated through the blow made Hydra’s hand-picked operative ill at ease . Like a ghost Cloudhawk disappeared only to emerge somewhere else with a deadly attack . His cloak made him invisible but also imbued the boy with a burst of speed that put him and Panther on even footing . His attacks kept coming, as indomitable as the tide .

Their weapons might five or six more times punctuated with grating squeals .

Little by little Panther fought off the disadvantage . He couldn’t see his target so his response was to shut his eyes . Without the distraction of vision he used the eddies of wind and the whistling sound of movement to determine where the attacks where coming from and defend against them . Cloudhawk’s invisibility was troublesome, but it would take much more than that to beat someone as experienced as Panther .

Cloudhawk’s onslaught achieved nothing and his opponent’s defense was only getting more impenetrable . He couldn’t hold on much longer . Once the relic’s power gave in he’d lose the one advantage he had .

Time to go all out!

Cloudhawk sprang up and planted his feet on a nearby wall . He coiled in like a spring, then shot forward off the wall as quick as an arrow . With all the momentum behind him he swept his exorcist staff down toward the nape of Panther’s neck .

Panther sensed the incoming attack . A sneer touched the corner of his lips . His right arm swung around bringing his whole body with him, sai quick as lightning as it moved to knock the sneak attack aside . His left hand responded half a second later by bringing his weapon up toward where he determined Cloudhawk’s chest would be, like a viper moving in for the kill .

The kid was finished! He had strange tricks to help him, but in the end he lacked experience .

Who could expect that in this instant, as Cloudhawk let loose a b.e.s.t.i.a.l roar, a surge of unnatural power would explode from the exorcist staff . The three-edged head of the weapon began to rotate at an incredible speed, meeting Panther’s block with such intensity it nearly ripped the weapon from his grip .

What the h.e.l.l?!

That wasn’t a staff, Panther thought . It was more like an electric saw . He was forced to bring his other sai up early and used both to catch the staff in between .

The friction as they collided lit up the hall with sparks . Spectators almost had to cover their ears from the sound .

Lucky for Panther, his sais were of good quality . Despite the severity of the blow they didn’t break, but as more power flowed through Cloudhawk’s staff Panther had to struggle harder to keep from being skewered .

Threads of b.l.o.o.d.y veins increased through Cloudhawk’s eyes . His muscles bulged as power flooded his body, catapulting his fort.i.tude to a whole new level . All the latent force of the staff reached its peak, and suddenly a concussive shock burst forth from it .

“Go to h.e.l.l!”

Both sais shattered!

Panther let go of the cutting shards, and when the shock wave hit it threw him high into the air . However the man was an expert killer, and as he was flung aloft he executed a series of masterful backflips . Mid rotation he pulled a dagger from his waist and by the time he landed back on the ground, he curled ready to launch into another attack .

“Enough!”

Hydra’s shout brought their battle to an end . Cloudhawk reappeared, drenched in sweat and chest heaving . His psychic energy was depleted . The webbing between Panther’s thumb and forefinger [1] was split and leaking fresh blood . His clothes were ripped and cut, and the force of the impact had caused some mild internal injuries . Yet he was still ready to keep fighting .

Cloudhawk had appeared to have the upper hand, but if they’d continued the fight it was uncertain the kid would have come out on top . But the fight had been finished before his exhaustion could play a role, and now Snaketooth had nothing to say .

Artemis looked at Cloudhawk with bright and curious eyes, like a rotwolf with a scourge hare in its sights . “This little brother looks like he’s got no teeth, but for a young’un you’ve got some s.p.u.n.k . I like talented men like you, it makes me wonder what other… . talents… you might have . ”

Nothing was said, but Artemis felt a distinctly murderous intent settle on her .

It was the Bloodsoaked Queen’s frigid gaze . As strong as Artemis was she could feel their pressure weighing on her . Even without lifting a finger she knew she was no match for the young woman .

Was this delicious boy toy her lover, she wondered? Such a pity!

Hydra dismissed the exchange with a wave of his hand . “Everyone take a seat . ”

Cloudhawk returned the exorcist staff to its makes.h.i.+ft sheath on his waist and, fixing Snaketooth with a hateful stare, sat beside the Bloodsoaked Queen .

Hydra went on like the entire surprising exchange had never happened . “Our ultimate aim is to draw out and kill the demon pulling the strings . But before we can, we have to go through his lieutenants . ”

“Ugh, you men are so boring . They’ve got a few hundred scrubs, are they really that much of a threat?” Her voice dripped with ridicule . “We organize the thousands of troops we have here in the Outpost, surround them, and that’s the end of it!”

A chill flit across Hydra’s eyes . “Artemis, you know I don’t like questions or interruptions . I especially hate having subordinates second-guess my orders . The next person who does, I’ll cut out their tongue, chop off their limbs, and throw them in the leech pit . ”

Artemis shrugged noncommittally but didn’t say anything more .

“They didn’t bring many with them but you can bet your a.s.s they have informants all over the outpost . If we try a large-scale operation they’ll see it coming a mile away and get out before we have a chance to move . ” He paused for a moment before going on . “The most we’ll use are a few hundred trusted soldiers . That’s how we avoid scaring our prey off . ”

Hydra’s worries were well founded, for although he was ruler of the outpost there were definitely agents of the demon lurking everywhere . If they made this a big ordeal the spies would alert the demon’s lieutenants and they’d miss their opportunity . If they slipped away and got back to their master, fighting them would be much harder .

Snaketooth spoke up . “What’s your plan?”

“Their hearts are set on killing the demonhunter . That means we got bait . ” Hydra looked pointedly at the Queen and Cloudhawk . “We trick ‘em into a place where they’ll be surrounded and get rid of their people in a single stroke . ”

No one offered an opinion . Amidst the silent consent Hydra snapped his fingers .

Maidservants entered in an orderly line like a school of fish . The one in the lead held an enormous bottle of liquor and all the rest bore dishes of various size . Delicate wine gla.s.ses were presented . Hydra took up the large bottle himself, pulled the cork, and filled the gla.s.ses . Maidservants then took them and distributed the alcohol among the others .

“Drink with me! When our work is done you can rest a.s.sured I’ll treat you well . ”

They all lifted their gla.s.ses and emptied their contents in one gulp .

Cloudhawk thought he could taste the fruit and vegetables they used to make the beverage, filling his mouth with savory sweetness . It was actually quite pleasant, much better than the stuff the mercenaries made in Blackflag Outpost .

They rested for what remained of the day, tomorrow the operation would begin . Everyone went their separate ways to prepare .

Leonine returned to his wife and children, where his son was cutting fruit and his wife was looking after their daughter . The little girl’s eyes were open and bright . She was awake .

Leonine didn’t even stop to put down what was in his hands and moved to her side . “How do you feel? Does it hurt?”

She sleepily blinked her eyes and stared up at her father . “No daddy, it doesn’t hurt . I had some fruit, it was so good . ”

His son happily bound over beside them . “I like it here, it’s clean and they have a lot of good food . When you left no one came to bully mommy . ”

“If ya like it here, then here’s where we stay . ” Leonine’s face split into a delighted smile . “I got one more thing I gotta do then we can stay long as we like . ”

His wife’s gentle and concerned face turned his way . “Is the mission with Hydra dangerous?”

Leonine shook his head and squeezed her hand rea.s.suringly . “Don’t fret, now . I’m makin’ it back no matter what . Our family’s finally safe .  I’m not lookin’ to get myself killed . ”

She nodded . “I trust you!”

“I’mma go get some good food . Little one’s just getting’ better, we need to strengthen her up . ”

Leonine opened the door to step out, but the way was blocked by a dark figure . They were small, like a child before Leonine . It was the one who’d fought Cloudhawk, Panther .

Leonine scowled down at him . “What are you doin’ here?”

“You really have a nice family, it’s something to envy . ” Panther’s eyes were dragged across the room as he made the enigmatic comment . “Hydra said we’re starting the mission tomorrow, so no one’s allowed to leave . It’s to make sure we don’t accidentally lose the element of surprise . ”

“I’m just getting’ some food . ”

“Ah . I’ll go with you . ”

“Hmph, whatever . ”

The two men walked together toward the storeroom .

When he stepped inside Leonine saw someone else and stopped dead in his tracks . Panther paused too, right behind him .

At the same time, outside Cloudhawk’s room nearby, a full-figured form crept along the corridor . She was a provocative and alluring wastelander woman, and the look on her face evoked the feeling of a hungry wolf .

She was one who had enjoyed the gratification of many men, but never such a fresh and tender prey .

Artemis’ mouth watered .

Only, as Artemis prepared to pull open the door to Cloudhawk’s room, every hair on her body stood on end like a frightened cat . She lunged to the side just in time to avoid a fiery bird screaming down the corridor . It crashed into the ground where she’d been standing half a moment before and burst into flame . The intense heat reddened the woman’s face .

f.u.c.k! f.u.c.k! Artemis yelped and skittered away down the hall .

Cloudhawk poked his head out of the room . “What’s going on…? s.h.i.+t, fire!”

“It’s fine . ” The Queen’s artificially croaky voice wafted toward him from down the pa.s.sageway . “An irritating fly was buzzing around . It’s gone now . ”

Cloudhawk blinked at the bricks in front of his door, burned black and cracked from the heat . She sure had an interesting way to deal with flies!

The Bloodsoeaked Queen turned and walked back from where she came from . “I’m leaving . ”

“Wait a second . ”

“What is it?”

“I’ve got a bad feeling…” He fixed her with a serious look . “I don’t think things are gonna go so well tomorrow . Somethin’ really doesn’t seem right . You be careful . ”

The Queen stopped, and then continued down the hall . “Drivel . Worry about yourself . ”

1 . Referred to as ‘the tiger’s mouth,’ something I’ve never heard of .

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