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9. Slay A Human

Orima -Tansental- The Lavish Pond Nightclub

The very air Striated with the deep droning tones of the music. The fog banks above each of the bubbling pools gently ebbed and wavered with every Cord that was strummed. Deeper and deeper the chants sank. Until the Grey haze had blanketed the very pools themselves. Orima Languished exquisitely in the warm churning waters idly running a finger around the rim of her glass. She leaned her head back and took a deep Gulp of the briny liquor. This is what it feels like to be one of the ancient god's she mused. She tilted her head listening to the Cherok woman Intoning the ancient prayers of her forefathers. Settling deeper into the Steaming pool and waited for the inevitable.

A large armored figure rushed through the pulsing mist and prostrated itself at the pools edge. Orima rolled her eyes towards Varras one of her more...effective lieutenants. Seven feet of muscle, green scales and wings bowed before her. She flinched slightly as the tips of his claws scraped into the lovely moss covered floor ruining the soft loam she had paid a small fortune to have cultivated.

“speak Varras what wonderful tidings do you have for me” She sloshed her drink towards him to punctuate her impatience.

Varras's slitted eyes raised to meet hers “ The Devourer has destroyed the pirate fleet, and is likely on his way here already” he looked scared, an odd sight on a creature born for war like him.

“wonderful, wonderful!” Orima clapped her hands in delight startling the server waiting dutifully nearby.

“We have a few weeks at most, begin the preparations ” she said calmly. Waving her hand to dismiss him and splattering steaming water across his nose in the process.

“As you wish Madam”

Varras dutifully stood up and made his way back into the mist. Disappearing from sight after a few steps.

Slev Torrent – Tansental- The Egregious Flagon Bar

The egregious flagon was a rough and tumble dive bar famously known for hosting some of the most well connected and dangerous entities on the planet. No one came for the décor. Dusty bits of ancient armors and weapons lay strung from the steel rafters. Each slowly spinning and crying out to tell its story.

A sharply hooked bar swerved through the center of the room manned by two smartly dressed bartenders and a healthy compliment of four bouncers lay strewn about the entrances and exits. They weren’t there to protect the patrons only getting involved if someone dared to damage the establishment itself. For some unknown reason this was Otto's favorite bar and it had worn off on Slev as well.

Slev leaned back farther into the shadows of his corner booth. His hand slid down to the table. Grabbing the cool bottle while his eyes stayed locked on the scene unfolding across the room.

Otto was wildly gesticulating with multiple limbs. At least two silver steins sloshing there contents noticeably across the glass bar he was latterly clinging to. Otto continued absolutely regaling the small group of increasingly annoyed looking mercenaries next to him on the basics of thermodynamics. They were a group of three fully armored and armed Zatari. Slev glanced at the roach like figures and shrugged to himself, at this point he had utterly no idea how Otto had survived as long as he he did without a constant bodyguard. One of the bartenders new by the looks of him way trying to usher Otto away from the fidgety figures, and stop the little octopod from getting himself killed. Otto completely missed the bartenders attempts waving him away after showing he still had a full-ish cup.

The regulars were picking up various mugs and tablets moving to seats farther from the impending disaster. The roaches had yet to notice the room clearing out around them and the dozens of nervous eyes glancing to the armored figure in the darkness sipping on his terrible beer. One of the bouncers themselves had moved from his place next to the door and was whispering into the new bartenders ear extricating him from the disturbance.

“And that is why hard shelled entities such as yourself have a moderately less effective thermoregulation when its foggy!” Otto beamed at the roach closest to him happily.

“ Thrazzak..doesn't wish to hear any more of..this whatever this is!...” the roach hissed at Otto

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“But im not done yet, if you painted yourself black you wouldn't be as cold!” Otto slurred out in galactic. He began reaching into his pouch and pulled out a fucking sharpie he must have stolen from Slev at some point.

“Here I cann showss you.” Ottos stuttered dropping the pen “Aww mabe not very inebrbribated..” he slurred out roughly

“ You dare to threaten to mar Thrazzak the clutch leader's perfection!?” Thrazzak shouted in sheer outrage his companions behind him buzzing and hissing assent

Slev was stifling laughter at the utter absurdity of what was happening before him. But he picked his helmet up from the table and sealed it on anyway, he knew where this was going. He began gliding between the tables closing in behind the clutch of roaches. Crixios the one Magento bouncer of the establishment a surprisingly bright example of his species. Had taken two of his arms and was currently doing the most epic face palm Slev had ever seen.

“I will take your tenticles for this insult you annoying squid” Thrazzak had pushed his face down into Ottos space and had spittle shooting from his mouth in rage.

“Noou you wunt” Otto Stuttered out confidently.

“No one here will save you you idiot” Thrazzak blurted out slightly off put by Ottos utter lack of fear. He glanced around and saw only gangsters and mercenary’s watching the spectacle with anticipation. Completely missing the specter of death looming behind him.

“the human...... ull get ya if you touch meh” Otto Proclaimed.

“HA..hahaha..HAH …” Thrazzak belted out. “You think me a fool, you threaten me with those savages lurking far beyond the borders” Thrazzak stilled his laughter “No the nightmares of the weak and cowards would never still my maw I Thrazzak could slay even a human!”

There was some deeply uncomfortable shifting sounds in the room. A few very nervous chuckles and one person just flat out excused themselves and quickly left. Thrazzak felt a cold metal hand grip his shoulder so tight the very chitin bent under the pressure. Slev leaned in so closely that the tip of his Skeletal cheek touched the side of Thrazzak's mandible. He just stayed that way for a few seconds, everyone in the room completely still. A pall of death and oppression had fallen upon the room. Inescapable tension ripping forth deep rooted survival instincts. Except for Otto who was vainly trying to maneuver a mug to his face.

“Now's your chance to slay a human.” Slev icily whispered into the still room.

Slev kicked out viciously at the knee of the roach behind him to the left, ripping it's leg outward at the hip. Then he violently tossed trazzak with one hand farther into the now empty space of the room. Thrazzak slid a few meters on his face and lay still. Slev turned slowly and purposefully towards the still standing clutch mate. It had drawn a rather vicious looking hooked dagger with an unhealthy green pallor to the blade.

Slev jumped back easily avoiding a slash towards his face. He waited and when the creature reared back for another slash he threw one of Ottos mugs at it's face as hard as he could. Immediately he regretted that. The metal Stein impacted with such explosive force that the bug's head simply ceased to exist and it just stood there twitching for a few moments. Before it slashed the dagger forward headless.

“What the fuck!?” Slev's armored boot shot out and caved in it's chest slamming it backwards across the room. It twitched on its back still slashing the air above it for a few more moments. Slev whirled to his final opponent. Thrazzak was ripping its mandible free from the wooden floor where it had been tossed. Jesus these guys are surprisingly durable..sorta Slev thought.

“Bring it on Thrazzak!” He shouted, alien bar fights were his favorite part of this planet so far.

Thrazzak hissed and drew two deeply glowing crimson swords from his back. Swinging them around him in an entrancing and stunning display of skill. They both paused examining the measure of the other shifting slightly waiting for an obvious opening. Then there was a curious Chittering from back by Slevs table followed by horrendously fast slashing and ripping noises. Oh no Slev looked back towards Chitters's cage placed neatly under his corner booth. The little shit had woken up and saw its parental figure hunting. He hoped the cage would actually hold this time.

Thrazzak had taken advantage of the human's distraction at its pet's pitiful cry's, and lunged forward aiming to sink both blade tips deep into the chest of this monster. Slev rolled backwards awkwardly just in time as the incredibly angry Insect literately dove at him with both swords extended it belly flopped inches from him lighting part of the floor on fire with it's swords. Slev didn’t give him a moment to recover. Rolling over and trapping the blades to the floor beneath one armored arm. He gritted his teeth through the searing heat burning into his flesh and began rhythmically slamming his fist into Thrazzak.

The Onlookers were some of the toughest and most grizzled criminals, warriors and bounty hunters this planet had to offer. They all watched on in stoic silence as the newest regular proved. There is always something scarier than you in the vastness of space. When the dust settled and the beast roared Its victory collecting the still glowing swords. They collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Today wasn’t the day it came for them it's endless blood lust slaked for the moment.

Slev rushed over to Chitters who had managed to mangle his way halfway out of the cage. He unclasped it and let Chitters excitedly climb onto his shoulder. Seemly placated now that the violence was over. Slev gave him a fond nudge thinking about how fucked he was going to be when this little guy got much bigger. They had only been planet side again for two weeks now and he was already the size of a plump chicken. But that was a later problem.

Slev walked back over to the bar stepping over the headless roach that was already being dragged of to an incinerator in the basement by a maintenance robot. Best part of this bar is the rules literally posted above the doorway when you walk in. You start it you finish it. No refunds. Slev slid back next to Otto as the room's atmosphere was starting to return to normal and whispered conversations were happening once again.

Slev popped off his helmet and began nursing the beer again. They weren’t just here to get drunk and fuck shit up. That was just a bonus . Aramis the corporation with the bad ass special force ninjas he had fought a few weeks ago. Had gone through the guild and requested an official meet with him. They had let him name the time and place so he went with a home turf bar. One they couldn’t just buy out the security of, hopefully.

Slev was very curious what they wanted . Although he was loath to directly deal with a group as powerful as an arms manufacturer .Lest he get on there shit list. He wasn’t stupid enough to let this potentially game changing meeting just pass him by. Best case here they saw some combat footage of him kicking the hell out of the best they had to offer and wanted to offer him a job. Worst case they were just trying to get him to sit still long enough somewhere for them to send a death squad for all the guys he killed on Vorimir.