Now, Threnosh World
The base camp briefing room was full. Though only three of the individuals standing around the table were physically present. Salamander, Telatrine and Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 stood together. While holographic projections of Prime Custodian 3, Caretaker and Commander Green Stretch 28 took the rest of the spots. The latter was back at Cal’s base facility, while Caretaker was somewhere in Cold Plains City’s sublevels. As for the prime, they did not specify their location. Primes had no need to account for those beneath them.
“I have reviewed the data and your report. These are my directives,” Prime Custodian 3 commanded. “Primary task is to recover PJ15 and Honor. If they are dead then priority will be the recovery of PJ15’s trueskin. Secondary task is to maintain your foothold in Orchestral Meridian. Tertiary task is to expand to other city sections. Prioritize militarily valuable sections. I understand that the birthing creche facilities are likely to be heavily defended and are out of your current capabilities. Last, you will continue to gather data on these corrupted, particularly the so-called Inheritors and the invasive organism, Designation: Mother Madrigal.” The prime paused for exactly three seconds. “It is now time for the added input portion of the briefing. Brainstorming.” Honor’s terminology was still strange.
Caretaker was familiar with the process as Cal’s second in command. “Add Brightstrike to priority recovery. I also have reviewed the information recorded to date. Frequency has identified a potential solution to your difficulties with tracking the corrupted and tracking the beacons our teammates are carrying. As they explained it to me. There is a complex sound that accompanied each event in which your detection systems failed to track the corrupted. It also appears to interfere with your communications. The sound is beyond the ability of our equipment to decipher. Let alone detect as you have experienced. Frequency’s trueskin is the only way to study it and develop a potential countermeasure. I have already sent them back to base to focus solely on this project. Salamander, Telatrine, do you have input beyond what is contained in your reports?”
“I request additional personnel. Specifically, Whoosh and Vanguard Zeljanz 31, Vanguard Blazer Ecoria 70 for the purpose of covering more ground in the search for our missing teammates.” Salamander stated his request just as Caretaker had instructed earlier.
“Whoosh is granted. I will dispatch them as soon as I no longer require them.” Caretaker glanced in Prime Custodian 3’s direction.
“The vanguards will be attached to your command, Salamander,” Prime Custodian 3 said.
“I respectfully protest, my prime.” Commander Green Stretch 28 spoke for the first time. “With the absence of the special candidates Honor’s base is vulnerable. The vanguards are integral to our defense plan.”
“Your dissent is noted and disregarded.”
“Acknowledged, my prime.”
“As to the request for additional personnel. Declined,” Prime Custodian 3 said.
Salamander expected the answer. Caretaker had told him that there were no soldiers to spare in Prime Custodian 3’s entire jurisdiction. All were necessary to fight off the dominion’s increasingly aggressive invasion. The Collective had yet seen fit to release their forces to reinforce them.
“I will release the experimental weapons squad to your service,” Commander Green Stretch 28 said.
Again just as Caretaker predicted. The commander didn’t see the value of the experimental squad.
“My prime,” Caretaker began, “perhaps the Collective can lend their forces to our efforts in Orchestral Meridian? Surely, they must see the threat that Designation: Mother Madrigal and the corrupted.”
“The Collective adheres to their doctrine. Their forces are for their protection. I am solely responsible for what transpires in my jurisdiction,” Prime Custodian 3 said.
“I also request additional combat drones and automated turrets. As many as possible on a continuous basis,” Salamander said.
“Base has increased fabrication and we will send the first batch with the vanguards and the experimental weapons squad,” Commander Green Stretch 28 said.
“I if may, my prime?” Caretaker waited for permission. “I am concerned about the projections for the birthing creche facilities’ ability to produce new corrupted and Inheritors.”
“Continue,” Prime Custodian 3 said.
“Yesterday, Head Researcher Alluvial Fan 24198 received the data their team required to determine the origin of the corrupted subject that we had acquired. Genetic records from the Great Archive confirmed that the corrupted subject was Threnosh. Administrator Windward Reach 10793 was their designation. We face not just the new, stronger type of corrupted and Inheritors, but potentially the ten million inhabitants of Orchestral Meridian that were not able to escape when the spire appeared. Additionally, the upper end of the projections for the new type of corrupted that can be produced is fifteen million.”
“I have reviewed the data. Those numbers take into account all birthing creche facilities having been turned to producing corrupted at their maximum capacity immediately after Orchestral Meridian was lost,” Prime Custodian 3. “The probability of that is only 1.378 percent. Projections indicate that there is a 70.712 percent chance that the new corrupted type numbers are at 1.837 million. Inheritors number 1837.”
“Those are still dire numbers,” Caretaker said. “I believe it is critical to disrupt the enemy’s ability to utilize the birthing creche facilities.”
“The Collective forbids any action that risks damage to the birthing creches,” Prime Custodian 3.
“They are already damaged if they are producing corrupted,” Caretaker countered.
“I concur,” Prime Custodian 3 said. “However, the Collective must be obeyed in this matter.”
“Acknowledged,” Caretaker said. Their eyes darted to Telatrine. The agreed upon signal.
“My prime. If we cannot stop more corrupted from being birthed then we must increase our own numbers. Specifically we must be able to counter the Inheritors. They are equivalent to our Elites in power. We must expand Honor’s program. We must train and strengthen every special candidate across our entire world,” Telatrine said.
“Several more primes have expressed interest in taking part in the project. However, Honor’s absence will make training new special candidates impossible,” Prime Custodian 3 said.
“That assessment is not entirely accurate,” Caretaker said.
“Elaborate.”
“Interrogator Ebbing Tides 2337 and Interrogator Ethereal Loaming 5623 have been with Honor since the beginning of the special project. They are familiar with his methods. They can replicate them. Commander Green Stretch 28 has also undergone Honor’s training. They and our soldiers can provide experienced tactical support during the special candidates’ first live combat tasks. It is true that training will not be up to Honor’s standard, but it will be sufficient until he returns.”
Prime Custodian 3 considered the matter for three seconds. “Permission granted. I will transmit my order to the interrogators. Commander Green Stretch 28 you are to make preparations immediately.”
“Acknowledged.”
Salamander could detect nothing of the commander’s thoughts through the flat tone of their voice, as expected of the standard Threnosh.
“Any further matters to discuss?” Prime Custodian 3 looked at each silent face in turn. They ended on the physically present Threnosh in the briefing room. “Our forces are engaged in battling the dominion all across my jurisdiction. Do not expect further reinforcements.”
“Acknowledged.” The three Threnosh spoke in unison.
“Adjourned.” Prime Custodian 3’s projection vanished.
“Reinforcements will arrive at your location in approximately twelve hours,” Commander Green Stretch 3 said right before they too disappeared.
Only Caretaker’s projection remained.
“I know that you are in an impossible position. Hang in there. You are strong and you are experienced. You have fought many boss monsters and secret boss monsters. This Mother Madrigal is just another to add to the list. Find Honor,” Caretaker said. “Keep me appraised. The battles for Cold Plains city are difficult, but I will make time and support you as much as I can. Fight well.”
“For you as well,” Salamander said as Caretaker’s projection disappeared.
“They speak as if they were Honor,” Telatrine said.
“It is their role as the second,” Subcommander Tioga Blue 635 said.
“Subcommander, withdraw our soldiers to City Section 115. We will leave the defense of City Section 85 to the combat drones, automated defenses and Rodinian’s traps. The fabrication facility and security center are crucial to our entire operation. Lose them and we lose the city. Along with Honor and our teammates,” Salamander said.
“And the other matter?” Telatrine said.
“We take the aerial transport to the spire in small groups. We will need our upgrades. You will be in the first group. Subcommander, select three soldiers to go as well. They need to spend their points I am certain they and you are eager.”
“We have never received such a large number of Universal Points,” Subcommander Blue Tioga 635 said.
“I am certain that we will have plenty more opportunities to gain points in the near future,” Telatrine said. “The greater the struggle the higher the points.”
Salamander was also eager to spend the tens of thousands of points they had gained in just a couple of months in Orchestral Meridian. They knew that success, let alone survival was dependent on increasing their personal power as fast as possible. The corrupted, the Inheritors and Mother Madrigal were something new. They didn’t agree with Caretaker’s words. The Mother wasn’t simply a secret boss. She was something else.
After all, if Honor couldn’t defeat her, then what chance did they stand?
----------------------------------------
Cal fought.
That was all.
He existed for that sole purpose. There was nothing else in his thoughts. He fought singular opponents, groups. He fought them with only his bare fists. His strength, speed and toughness were his only weapons, his only defense.
Through the haze he faced all comers.
Jay, gremlin alphas, the Midtown Mauler, Flo, Freddie. Old opponents, dead and long gone.
Zeyt, Brynax, Tylox and Gyxdor. The Inheritors. New foes.
They all fell under Cal’s fists. Even the behemoth.
Gyxdor was stronger and tougher, but Cal discovered his weakness. The bone protrusions. When he broke them he inflicted such pain that even the behemoth was laid low.
He fought a never ending fight. Against the same opponents over and over again. At times his opponents blended together. Part of him knew that was impossible, but the music in his head soothed away such concerns.
He was battered to the limits of his considerable endurance.
He beat his opponents to within inches of their deaths.
Until the music stopped. He fought.
Then he was thrust through the worst moments of his life. A nightmare made into truth and reality.
When the singing started again he fought.
Until the instruments went silent and he was shoved back into his torment.
Time passed.
Cal lived an eternity.
----------------------------------------
Now, Earth
Tessa grew impatient standing next to the gray barn’s huge double doors. She listened to the voices from inside with her better than normal human hearing. The people were chanting in a language that she didn’t recognize and it made her skin crawl. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Johnny’s assessment that they were cultists was probably close to the mark.
The chanting seemed to be building to something. She’d read enough books and watched enough movies and shows to know that usually led to bad things. Like summoning a monster or cursing someone.
She was getting antsy. It was taking too long for the guys to get in position. Her gut told her that if she didn’t act soon they’d have problems.
“Screw this!”
Tessa listened to her instincts.
She grabbed the padlock holding the chains around the door handles and twisted and pulled until it snapped. She threw the doors open, picked up her kanabo and stepped into the barn.
“Stop right there! You creepy cultist bastards!” Tessa struck the ground with her kanabo. The thud echoed through the cavernous barn.
There were five men and a woman gathered in a circle around an intricate pattern painted on the ground. Candles abounded. The people were dressed in everyday clothing. Not a dark robe in sight. Still, on the whole, Tessa was definitely getting a cult vibe.
They looked at Tessa with confusion at first. Then recognition. They were worried.
The doors on the other side of the barn opened.
“You were supposed to wait,” Gene frowned.
“It sounded like something was about to happen,” Tessa said.
“Obviously not.”
“It’s cool, my dude,” Johnny pulled out his cell phone and started filming. “This is good footage.” The bright light from the phone helped illuminate the area.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Tessa saw that what she thought was paint looked more like blood. She realized that she smelled a slight coppery scent in the air.
“Get the arcane blood circle,” Bastien tapped Johnny on the shoulder and pointed.
“Ahem…” Gene cleared his throat. “Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?”
A man stepped carefully around the large circle on the ground to approach the four young men at the entrance.
“You’re interrupting a simple social gathering. I don’t believe that your community has any claim to this place or on our activities.”
“Sure, so I guess you won’t mind explaining what’s going on with the circle of blood on the ground. I mean. We have no idea if it’s human or animal or monster,” Gene said. “That’s the sort of thing that needs answers.”
“Yeah,” Tessa added. “If this is just a weird LARP thing then you won’t mind if I scuff up the circle.” The hairs on the back of her neck were standing up. Something was definitely up. She couldn’t tell if the other guys noticed, aside from Bastien, who was looking a little pale. She took several steps toward the circle, while the men and woman edged away from her to move to the opposite side. It didn’t escape her notice that they were now clustered together.
The man smiled. “Right, you got us. It’s a little embarrassing, but we like acting and there aren’t a lot of outlets to express ourselves creatively.”
“We’ve got a community theater,” Olo said. His large rectangular shield was in the ready position. The spear in his other hand was pointed at the man.
“Ah, but we’re only visitors and we have other duties. This is just a small weekend activity to scratch that itch.”
“Johnny—”
“Yes.”
Tessa almost jumped. Johnny had appeared right next to her without her noticing. The possible cultists did jump. Johnny had been filming on their side of the barn.
“Get some close up shots and pics, before I mess it up,” Tessa said. “So, what kind of blood is this again?” She watched the man closely.
“Rabbits.” He raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Don’t worry we used every part of the rabbits in a responsible manner.”
“That’s a lot of rabbits,” Gene said.
“It was.” The man smiled. He had been smiling the whole time.
Bastien gagged. “He’s lying.”
Gene pointed his sword at the man and raised his other hand with splayed fingers. “No moves, no words or everyone gets a magic missile. You’re all coming back to town with us.”
“Uh oh, shit’s about to go down,” Johnny whispered to Tessa as he tucked his phone away and drew the short spears from his back. One in each hand.
Tessa tightened her grip on her kanabo. She thought about grabbing some nuts and bolts out of her belt pouch, but discarded that idea. She wanted to bring the people back alive, not kill them.
The man sighed theatrically. “That’s unfortunate. You children understand that my report back to my leaders will be unfavorable? This misguided attempt to play police will result in worsened relations between our two communities. I’m sure your parents will be unhappy with you.” His words oozed.
Tessa felt them slipping across her skin like slime. It caused her to shudder.
“Something’s building,” Bastien gasped then fell to his knees.
The distraction gave the man the opening he needed. He grabbed cultist closest to him and cut the man’s throat before shoving him into the circle, while chanting in that same unknown language.
“Everyone run! Alert the others! These children must not escape!” The man bellowed.
There was a distortion within the space contained by the blood circle.
A sound like tearing and the discordant crying of an overwhelmed maternity ward assaulted Tessa’s ears. The cultists ran around her and Johnny as they rushed out of the barn.
They were no longer a concern for crouching within the circle over the exploded remains of the unfortunate cultist was a monster. A new kind that they hadn’t encountered before.
“What the fuck is that?” Tessa took an involuntary step back.
“Oh shit! No way! Dude! That’s a murloc,” Johnny said. “Except grosser and scarier looking.”
“What?”
“It’s from a game, bit before your time. Basically, fish people. Made a hilarious sound.”
“Kill them all!” The man bellowed. “Don’t let them escape!”
“Calling upon a Scion of the Deep Azure is not done lightly. You have much to answer for.” The fishman’s voice was a deep rumble.
“Of course, honored one. I am at your service.” The man prostrated himself.
“Okay… definitely more intimidating,” Johnny said. He took a deep breath and everyone in the barn lost track of him.
Tessa sized up the fishman just like she was taught.
Instead of skin it had gray-blue scales, just like a fish. Its head was a mix between human and fish. Bulbous eyes and a smooth, rounded face. Nostril slits and a wide mouth filled with pointed, conical teeth. There appeared to be a set of gills on both sides of its neck. It stood a bit hunched over. Two arms and two legs that where longer in proportion to its body. It had three webbed fingers and an opposable thumb on each hand. Its three webbed toes and feet were long, like a clown’s shoes.
It was disturbingly closer to a humanoid form than a monster, like the gremlins.
The fishman’s deep, broad chest and defined musculature suggested physical prowess that they needed to be careful with until they knew what it was capable of.
Perhaps the most jarring thing about its appearance was that it was armed. It held a spear of unknown make slung over its back. It was a dirty white color and had an asymmetrical point. A small shield that resembled an animal shell was strapped to its left arm. It reflected the candle lights with a pearly luminescence. It even had a woven belt despite that fact that it appeared to be naked. Sheathed at this belt was a sword-like weapon that resembled a giant tooth more than anything else.
It also had what looked like a crossbow made out of bone? The fishman raised the crossbow and shot Tessa. The spine-like bolt flew right for her chest.
Tessa was fortunate that her reactions and coordination were also beyond human limits. She deflected the bolt with her kanabo. The bolt sparked off the metal surface. It was a close thing. She was lucky. First big fight and she had already made a mistake. She had been caught looking instead of acting.
The fishman had taken the initiative.
It dropped the crossbow and pulled the spear from its back and prepared to throw it at Tessa.
“On me!”
The fishman tensed like it was fighting its own body. It intended to strike Tessa with its spear. It wanted to strike her, but it suddenly spun around and threw it at Olo. For a moment it resisted his taunt. Not even the gremlin alphas were capable of that feat.
The spear bounced off the metal surface of Olo’s shield with a clang.
“Rraargghh!” Tessa let loose with a wild shout as she swung her kanabo one handed at the back of the fishman’s head.
Mistake number two.
Her shout gave the fishman enough warning that it was able to duck under the blow.
The fishman spun and swung its shield at her face.
Tessa barely got her free arm up in time to block it. The impact hurt and sent her flying a dozen feet. She might’ve had super strength and durability, but she wasn’t exactly super heavy.
“Careful, Olo!” Gene warned. “Its got some level of enhanced strength.” He pointed his free hand at the fishman. “Magic Missile.”
Five marble-sized purple orbs lit up the darkness with their glow as they arced toward the fishman.
It blocked two with its shield. The other three struck across its upper body. A look of what seemed to be pain crossed its face as the orbs burned its scales.
“Adequate magic.” The fishman voice was a deep rumble. “I will see if your blade is more than adequate.” It drew the sword-like tooth from its belt.
“Well… shit.” Gene’s eyes widened. In his opinion his blade work was definitely inadequate. “Olo, keep it off me.” He glanced back. “Bastien, this is like that evil you were talking about. Can’t you do something?”
Bastien was still on his knees. “I’m gonna puke. It’s that blood circle…”
“Got it. No more creepy circle,” Gene said. He tapped his fist on Olo’s shoulder.
“On me!” Olo’s taunt drew the fishman.
Something like annoyance crossed its face as it shifted its focus from Gene to Olo.
Olo thrust his spear out to keep the fishman at a distance.
The fishman slapped the spear point aside with its shield. The ease with which it did so shocked Olo.
Olo was big as a linebacker and even stronger thanks to his Enhanced Strength passive. It appeared that the fishman was still stronger.
It moved quickly to close inside the spear’s reach. It slashed at Olo with its tooth sword.
He blocked it with his shield. Sparks flew.
The fishman rammed its shoulder into Olo’s shield.
He stumbled back, desperate to keep his balance.
“Fire Spray.”
A wave of spray erupted from Gene’s hand.
The fishman darted back as the flames licked at its scales. The gills on its neck flared, opening and closing as if gulping for oxygen.
“More than adequate magic.”
“Don’t like it hot?” Gene said. “Then you’ll hate this one.” He pointed at the blood circle. “Fireball.”
“No!” The fishman dived for the small ball of fire with its shield arm outstretched. It was quick. It moved like a flyweight boxer.
Gene’s fireball was just fast enough to skirt by the shield. It hit the blood circle and exploded.
“Thank you.” Bastien instantly improved.
“You dare!” The fishman roared. Its voice was like a deep bass. Gene felt it vibrate his entire body. “You have sullied the mark. You have sealed your fate. Death is all that awaits. You will not have the opportunity to be one of the touched.”
“Yeah… I’m okay with that. My parents always told me that it was wrong for strangers to touch me. Your fingers look kind of slimy anyways,” Gene said. “Also… Now Tessa!”
The fishman was a seasoned warrior. It didn’t turn to look. It dived to one side. It chose the wrong direction.
Tessa clubbed it across the side of its arm and ribs. There was an audible crack.
Its sword tooth dropped to the ground from suddenly limp fingers.
Tessa swung again.
This time the fishman dived forward to avoid her two-handed, overhead smash. Her kanabo kicked up a shower of dirt when it dug deeply into the ground.
The fishman found itself right in front of Gene and Bastien. The latter raised his halberd in the air.
“I repel your evil.”
A bright light pulsed around Bastien as he continued to whisper the words of a prayer. There was a tangible feel to the light. When it reached the fishman, it recoiled back with a hiss.
They had it trapped between them. Tessa’s physical might on one side and Bastien’s light on the other.
“Your action today was the striking of the bell. We will drown your light in the depths.” The fishman scrambled to its feet, gathered itself and jumped up to the loft above Bastien and Gene.
“Shit, shit, shit! We can’t let it get away!” Gene said.
“Wait,” Olo said. “We shouldn’t chase it in the dark. Plus we don’t know what else might be out there.”
“Um… guys? What happened to that other guy? And where’s Johnny?” Bastien’s light winked out and he went down to one knee.
“Are you okay?” Tessa ran to Bastien’s side, but kept her senses on alert in case the fishman returned.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to do much chasing,” Bastien said.
Gene cursed. “We’ve got nothing now.”
“Johnny got video,” Olo said.
“And he is missing,” Gene snapped.
Tessa’s walkie-talkie crackled.
“Do you copy? Over.”
It was Mads.
Tessa pulled the walkie-talkie from her belt. “I copy. Over.”
“You’ve got incoming from the fields to the east. I count fifteen men and women. That includes the four that ran out of the barn’s south doors. There’s something off about them.” Mads paused. “And… I’m sorry, but I think Vee went out to meet them.”
“What?” Tessa snapped. Her worst nightmare was now her reality.
“I don’t know what happened. She was right here with me one moment and the next she was gone. Should I start shooting?” The reluctance was plain in Mad’s voice.
“Yes!” Tessa said.
“No!” Gene said at the same time. “If they’re from Frisco we can’t start it.”
“We already did,” Olo said.
“Look, man we need some of them alive for confessions and intel. Weird summoning circles and fishmen… shit! That’s messed up,” Gene said.
“That’s my sister out there,” Tessa glared.
“I know she’s a kid, but she’s also pretty badass. I think she can handle it. However, I’m not about to leave her to face a bunch of crazy cultists. Let’s go. Tessa, you’re a lot faster than us. You go ahead.”
“But what if the fishman comes back?”
“We’ll handle it,” Bastien straightened.
Tessa didn’t waste another moment. She sprinted out of the barn with a cloud of dust at her heels.
Gene grabbed his walkie-talkie. “Mads, do you copy? Over.”
“I copy. Over.”
“If Vee looks like she’s in trouble I’m ordering you to shoot to kill. It’s my call. Do you understand? Over.”
“Got it. Over.”
“C’mon, guys. Let’s go. And keep an eye out for that fishdude,” Gene said.
----------------------------------------
Veronica ran through the overgrown field that was taller than her. She had her long, metal staff in one hand, which was getting a little sweaty. Her heart jackhammered and her breathing threatened to get away from her. It was dark and she ran alone toward fifteen desperate and dangerous looking people.
It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Justice needed to be fought for and she wanted to help out her sister and the guys in the barn. She hoped that Mads wouldn’t get in trouble or get upset with her. She liked Mads, thought that the Sharpshooter was the coolest.
Veronica tried to calm herself and remember her training. Her dad had taught her to fight from a distance, zap people’s brains while the meatshields blocked for her. Of course, he also told her repeatedly that she was under no circumstance to go out and fight without him until she was twenty-five.
She tried to put that last bit out of her mind. Her dad and mom were going to be so mad with her.
The sounds of feet rustling the wheat and heavy breathing reached Veronica’s ears. She froze to focus on the sound. It came from in front of her. Her hearing was better than a normal human’s, her eyesight was better. She’d get the first attack. She could do this.
Hit fast and hit hard… but not too hard. She reminded herself. She definitely didn’t want to accidentally smash someone’s head like a pumpkin. Even if they were bad guys that didn’t seem justice-like. Also that would’ve been gross.
The first man that reached within twenty yards of Veronica was a goner, not literally though. As he parted the grass in front of him Veronica was already sprinting in his direction. Her small size and small feet didn’t make a lot of noise. They wouldn’t be able to hear her over the sound of their own stomping and breathing.
Veronica jabbed him in the gut with the end of her staff then kicked him under the chin. She winced at the loud crack. Like hitting the baseballs she’d get thrown at her for practice.
The next guy she hit across the face. She pulled back on her swing just a bit too much and the man only stumbled. She twirled the staff over her head and put him down with a second hit.
“Look out! There’s someth—”
The third guy either saw her or got lucky. He had a machete and tried to block her downward strike. Big mistake. Given two people with equal strength, you couldn’t block a staff with a sword. It was a matter of force and weight or something like that. Veronica had only paid half-attention to Instructor Gozen’s explanation.
The fact that she was several times stronger than the man doomed him.
Her staff blew right through his attempted block. She heard a loud crack. “Sorry,” Veronica whispered. She wasn’t sure if she had broken his wrist or his face. She hoped that it was the former.
Sometimes justice was harsh.
“The fuck! It’s a little girl.” The next guy that stumbled on her was a moron. He actually took his eyes off her to call back to the rest.
Veronica swept him off his feet and struck him on his head.
“It must be the younger girl.” A man’s voice shouted. “Change of plans! Grab her!”
Veronica smirked. One does not simply ‘grab’ justice.
The man started to chant in a strange language.
Uh oh, magic.
Veronica ran around to circle to the back of the enemy formation.
The man finished his chanting just as she reached their rear.
“You are granted the strength of the Deep Azure.” The man’s voice sounded strained, weak. “Do not fail this singular honor.”
A dark symbol appeared about twenty feet above them. It was like a void in the air that seemed to drawn in all light. Just looking at it made Veronica’s stomach churn. It was wrong on some fundamental level that she couldn’t conceptualize.
It was evil and wrong. This was what needed to be fought.