The village was abandoned, or at least that’s how it seemed.

The path and lodges were barren as Amos made his way through the scene. Whatever Saadya’s doing must have a lot of their attention, he thought to himself. Then he sucked his teeth. Just let her go— pain suddenly shot throughout his body, bringing him to a stop as he gripped his side.

More backlash, he cursed in his thoughts. It had been days since he’d escaped, but using Reema still took so much out of him. His connection wasn’t just low, it was getting weaker. Of course, none of that would be an issue right now if I hadn’t run into that violent tree. He sucked his teeth. Why the fuck was that guy even here? Who just attacks the garrison alone? He paused. No one does. A moment later the pain finally dulled to an ache, enough for Amos to start moving again.

He went over to a nearby lodge, leaned against the wall, and peered out onto the path. No matter the reason, just because there were less guards didn’t mean there were none, and that guy definitely wasn’t here alone. Someone else was sure to come. Just have to keep an eye out for—

“What happened to those men? Who sounded the alarm?” A voice from behind him said.

“I don’t know, but reinforcements will be here soon. We need to regroup and— hey!”

Amos spun around. Two guards were coming up the path behind him, wide-eyed and angry. He was still holding his axe and sword. There was no talking his way out of this. He groaned. What did you two get lost?

The first guard drew his sword and charged in, screaming. Amos rolled his eyes. Idiot. As soon as the guard came in close and started his swing Amos sprung up, hooked the blade away with his axe, then cut down his chest.

He looked toward the other guard. One down. One to go. This shouldn’t take long—

Pain jolted through his body again. Shit! Not now! He gritted his teeth and tried to move but he was still too tense.

The guard saw his opening and charged.

Fucking move! Amos roared and threw himself out of the way, but the guard pivoted his forward slash into a wide sweep, catching Amos’s side as he fell.

Amos rolled forward as he hit the ground, until he caught himself crouching, blades forward.

The guard was on him again.

Amos raised his sword to block, but the impact rocked his arm with a burst of pain. Fuck! The guard swatted Amos’s sword away, then swung down for a finishing strike.

Not yet! Not today! Amos leapt forward, caught the guard’s sword arm with his free hand, then tackled him to the ground. They scuffled, but Amos got his axe free and raised before bringing it down hard, but the guard whipped his blade up just in time to block. Amos brought his other hand onto the axe head and drove it down harder. Just fucking die! Metal kissed the edge of the guard’s nose before he roared, and lunged his hips up, rolling Amos onto his back and mounting him.

From here Amos’s axe barely kept the guard's blade from slicing his neck. Amos groaned from the strain as the guard struggled to tilt the sword tip into Amos’s shoulder. The axe was too small to leverage with both hands. He sucked his teeth. Reema isn’t ready. Can’t hold him at this angle. Gotta move now!

The sword edge drew closer and closer, until at last it bit his shoulder, and the guard started to slice. Amos screamed as the blade split his skin. With a furious grunt he kicked up and kneed the guard’s groin. The man wailed and teetered forward, just before Amos smashed his head into his. The guard staggered back, nose bloody, and Amos quickly shoved him back again. He stumbled onto the ground and raised his sword, but Amos knocked it aside then hurled his axe into the guard’s head.

Amos stood over the corpse, panting and sore. And fucking stay dead. He walked over and ripped his axe out of the guard, before going back for his sword and continuing along the path.

He scowled as the fresh wounds added to his pain’s ensemble, but he was close to the archives now. So what’s next? Amos thought, and immediately regretted asking as he heard more voices up ahead.

“Lock it down! I want five men to sweep this area, the rest of you get your asses up there! Move!” A clear commotion followed as men heeded their orders.

Need to stay out of sight, Amos thought to himself. He quickly dipped to the far-end of a nearby lodge, away from the path. From there he peeked around and watched about a dozen guards trek past and hurry along up the path. It won’t take them long to realize there’s only bodies and a bleeding tree, Amos thought to himself. I need to move before they get back.

He walked around to the other end of his wall and looked around that corner. Five guards were making their way to the back of the archives. Amos cracked his neck. I’m real tired of getting my ass kicked by drones, he thought. These ones die.

He sneaked up behind the group as they rounded the corner behind the archives. No chances. I’ll take this seriously from the jump, he thought to himself. Come, he boomed in his thoughts and Reema poured in again.

“... we have to— hey!” a man’s voice suddenly called out.

Then someone started yelling. Amos flinched at the noise. Who the fuck is screaming?

“The fuck are you doing?” A voice called out. Then one of the guards turned around and noticed Amos coming up behind them. His face went pale. “Sarge!”

The guard who’d screamed stumbled back. “Form up!” Another guard called. “Get—” Amos launched his axe into his head. Cut the head off the snake, then butcher the pieces, Amos thought as he followed through his throw. Then he eyed the rest of the group. These guys are done.

The rest of the guards were still gawking at their friend’s falling corpse. Three of the five roared and charged Amos, while the others failed to meet the moment so soon.

The first came up fast taking a swing across Amos’s chest, but Amos ducked the blow, stepped through, and sliced his gut. The second came just as the first fell. He brought his sword down with a vengeance, but Amos swung up as he stood, knocking the guard’s blow away, before cutting down his chest and sending him to his grave.

“Fucker!” The third guard screamed, as he came up behind the second. Stay mad, Amos thought. I’ll be back for you last.

He kicked the second’s corpse into him as it fell, forcing the third guard to stumble and fall beneath his dead friend. Amos darted his gaze around the scene. One of the guards was still gawking at the first man he’d killed.

Amateur, Amos thought. Then he pounced after him. People die. You either accept that— the guard looked up helpless as Amos ran him through— or join them.

The fifth man, it seemed, heeded the first man’s final words, approaching slowly before taking his stance. Amos charged and for a moment the guard was holding his own.

A high blow, ducked. An arm saved off a block. Swords crossing. Colliding. A parry from Amos. The guard’s leg was exposed, and with a flick of his wrist Amos let his blade bite into flesh, and brought the guard down to a knee.

The guard looked at Amos and glared. “You won’t—”

Amos slit his throat.

The third guard finally started getting up, but there was nothing left of his friends but corpses amid carnage. His face went pale and he bolted, heading back toward the path and lodges.

All that barking and now you’re just gonna run? Amos thought to himself. Then he sucked his teeth. Pathetic. He went back to the sergeant, ripped out his axe, and hurled it at the guard. He dropped.

And that’s that, Amos thought. He looked back at his work and realized he’d missed one, or rather there was an extra one. He turned toward the sixth man and— I don’t fucking believe it. It was the Clergy boy from the prison, wearing an eye patch and a cloak. Why the hell is he here? He— Amos paused. He lied. He managed to lie. To me. He snarled at that. I’m done getting played.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Amos met Clergy’s gaze. “You.” He charged.

Clergy panicked and fell back, before scrambling to pick up a sword. Doesn't even know how to hold that, Amos thought to himself, until suddenly Clergy did. His eyes glazed over, and in an instant he sprung to his feet before raising his blade to block. He can keep up with me? Amos looked on stunned as their swords collided, but with his extra strength Amos pushed Clergy to the ground with ease.

“What a surprise Clergy boy,” Amos said, leaning over Clergy as he pressed his sword down hard. “Here you are again.” Clergy’s arms trembled against the weight. “Mr. Doesn’t know a thing but’s always mixed up in the shit.” Amos leaned in close. “I don’t like being lied to.”

Clergy could barely speak against the strain. “I… I never lied!”

“You must think I’m fucking stupid,” Amos said. “If you thought I’d fall for this bullshit twice.” He pressed down harder. “Now tell me who you are. Who sent you?” It was the only thing that made sense. Either Ivar or one of the generals must have sent this kid here, but why? What’s the point of sending some rookie with Reema out here. And I still don’t know how he managed to do that.

“Sent me?” Clergy said. “I—”

Glass shattered nearby. Amos looked over and saw two guards’ bodies, then a younger man and a woman burst out the archive windows. The guards thudded against the ground while the other two rolled as they landed.

More of them? Amos thought. Did they come with the tree— the woman hurled a knife which Amos quickly deflected. Let’s get to it then.

She’d already sprinted into range. Damn she’s fast.

Amos quickly went to guard just as the woman swung her sword up with both hands. Shit! The impact was massive. Amos leapt away with the swing to soften the blow, just as the woman screamed and stepped awkwardly through her swing.

Her ankle? Amos thought, as he teetered back. Then this won’t be much of a fight after all— pain blitzed his shoulder as a shot from behind made him stumble forward. The fuck?

“Take them down!” A man’s voice called out.

Everyone turned towards it. An ashen haired warrior with a goatee and a crossbow stood at the head of a dozen guards heading down the path.

It’s ready, Amos thought to himself, channeling Reema as he ripped the bolt out of his shoulder. He grit his teeth against the burning as Reema pooled around the wound and sealed it.

“Fuckers don’t know when to quit,” Amos said, cracking his neck while he rolled his shoulder. He started walking toward the crowd.

Gonna have to push it with Reema, he thought to himself. Using it in quick succession could reduce backlash in the moment, but when it happens later it’ll be worse. I’ll be out for at least a day. I’ve gotta get somewhere I can lie low, and fast. He looked back over toward Clergy and the rest of big tree’s posse. And I still don’t know where this kid fits into all this. He was the only part of the story he couldn’t explain, and in Dargas, that meant he was probably the most important one. His father had taught him that. Besides, after everything he’d seen Clergy do, he needed answers.

He heard the crossbow fire again and quickly deflected the bolt as it came. He sucked his teeth, and turned, meeting Clergy’s gaze. “You and I aren’t done,” he said. “We’ll talk again real soon.” He turned his attention back to the crowd of guards as the first ones roared and started to charge. First things first though. Time to deal with them.

He took a breath. I need more now, he boomed in his thoughts. Come. Reema flooded into him, bucking and burning. The strength and the rage came on even harsher than before. He’d regret it later, but right now, he felt strong. Let’s go.

He dashed into the first guard as he started his swing, catching the quick hook, before cutting him down with ease.

The second came on fast. He charged in swinging high to try and feint, but Amos danced with the motion, blocked the strike, then butchered him next. A bolt came, which he amply dodged, but a third guard came swinging in while he was caught in the motion.

Amos scoffed. Not good enough. In one motion he snapped himself up and bounded forward with a thrust, deflecting the first strike. He swatted two more away then blocked the third one high as he threw himself forward. The guard gawked as Amos swept back with his axe as he fell, cutting the man’s ankle. He rolled forward and pounced at the next man with both arms, knocking his sword away with ease before raking down his chest.

Four more were charging together, five more followed quickly behind. The last one, a warrior, stood at the rear of the pack, reloading his crossbow again. I can’t handle big groups out in the open like this, Amos thought to himself. I need to isolate them. Keep them coming one at a time through a choke point somewhere. He darted his gaze around the scene. Two lodges were close enough to form a small alley between them. Perfect. Amos took a breath to let the Reema fade, then spun around the falling guard and darted out toward the small pathway.

The guards were right on him as he sprinted through the space, but he was fast, always had been, and it’d saved his life more than a few times. He sidestepped a barrel, leapt over a crate, then bounded around the corner. He called the Reema again. He’s there. Strike now!

With his first step behind the building he spun and dropped to a crouch, before swinging hard and wide with his sword and slicing off the first guard's foot. The man screamed as he fell, spurting blood across the ground.

Instinct drove him to spring up and block high as the next guard swung. Amos caught the blow with his axe, cut him down, and kicked him away toward the far wall. The man collided with another guard and gave Amos an opening to step back into the alley.

“Go around the other side!” A guard called out.

Times up then, Amos thought, I’ve gotta push through the alley now.

He jumped into the space.

Ahead, three more guards charging up, single file. He hooked the first one’s strike with his axe and sliced across his stomach. As the next one came he leapt up the wall to his side then over a crate to get behind him. Before he knew what had happened Amos cut down his back with both arms. He sidestepped a lunge from the third, swatted down his blade with the sword, then stepped through and cut his neck with the axe. Six more left.

He sprinted around the corner and— a bolt burrowed into his chest. Getting tired of this shit. Amos groaned, as ripped the bolt out and healed. The guards around gawked at that. There were two still out in the open, three were by the opposing alley, while the warrior stood glaring in the back. I can’t let him get any more free shots, Amos thought. I gotta find cover. He eyed the door to the lodge. Let’s take this inside. He let the Reema fade again and sprinted for the door.

“Fucking monster!”

“Don’t let him escape!”

Guards called out behind him as he ran for the door. They’re right, you know. It was the warden. The fucking warden. Why the hell was he talking now? I don’t need this shit, get out of my head! Amos snapped back in his thoughts.

He burst through the door.

The inside was standard for lodges. A long table in the middle, chairs by the door, shelves and knick knacks along the walls. Why are you fighting? Accept it. They know what you are. Amos snarled at the words, but quickly let them pass, as he felt the looming fatigue of backlash coming on. Fuck off! Not now! I’m not done yet! He groaned as he forced Reema through him again. His body ached from the strain but he held it. He’d win. The first guard raced through the door.

They know. They know. Just accept what you are. Amos panted and groaned as he swung up to block the first strike. He sidestepped the second, then blocked the third thrust, spinning around the guard before cutting down his back. Two more came through the door in quick succession. Amos threw his axe and caught the first one in the head. The second roared and came on fast with a flurry of strikes. Amos blocked and blocked as a third guard came through, and the warden blared in his mind. You’re weak. You’re broken. You’re going to lose.

Shut up! Shut up! Amos screamed in his thoughts. He swatted the guard’s sword out of the way and ran him through. He panted and sagged as he ripped his blade out. Backlash was coming. He felt his hands start to shake. Not yet! Not yet!

The third guard charged.

Amos roared and focused Reema into his legs, pouncing forward and slicing the man’s side. He stumbled as he followed through. His arms were getting heavy, his legs ached and burned. Don’t fight, the warden said. You know you can’t win. Another guard stepped through the door and charged him. Get up! Amos roared in his thoughts. With a shout, Amos sprung up, hooked the blade away, then cut down the guard, stumbling through the swing and falling with the corpse.

He struggled to stand again, as another guard came. Don’t fight. They know. They know what you’ve done. Amos grunted then roared before getting himself up just in time to block the guard’s first strike. They fought their way back to the door, as their swords crossed, collided,—

The warden appeared, standing just by the doorway. “You’re going to lose—”

“Shut up!” Amos screamed as he swung at his image with his sword, but it just got caught in the wooden frame. Amos tried to pull it free but the blade was deep and well jammed. The guard saw his opening and charged. Not yet! Amos ducked below the strike and tackled him through the door. They hit the ground hard. Amos rolled away from the impact and struggled to stand again, as the warden blared in his mind.

Look at you, swiping at shadows. That’s how far gone you are. You’re weak. You’re broken. They know the truth. Just like Dekar and Malachi and Saadya. You’re all alone, and it’s all your fault!

“What do you want from me?!” Amos roared at the sky, but as he looked up... he saw he was surrounded. At least ten more guards had joined the fight and were boxing him in.

“Close in and finish him!” One of the guards said.

“No!” It was the Warrior. The one with the crossbow. “We need him alive!”

The guards pushed closer again, as Amos dug deep for the last of his strength. He snarled at the crowd. Fine then! I don’t care! I’ll kill you all! He went to take a step, but the backlash finally came. All at once his muscles screamed and burned. Can’t... stop... not... yet—

Another bolt burrowed into his shoulder.

He rocked back with the blow, watching the world turn dark as he hit his head and passed out.