Chapter 59

Helsket stepped through the gate and a chill ran over his body. This was something familiar from long ago, but which had been forgotten. It had been years since he’d come through a Sunken Folk city after nightfall and it was all he could do to stay on course and not turn tail and flee.

He was brave, but he was old. He got that way by living through many dangers that killed other people stronger, faster, or smarter than Helsket.

He’d gotten by with a mix of luck, candor, and brute strength. He was planning to do the same here, but as strange, alien cries echoed from the city around him he wondered if those three qualities would be enough this time.

A human-sounding scream came from his left several rows of buildings away - he knew what was making the sound but didn’t want to think about it. What lurked in Sunken Folk cities was always best left unmentioned.

“Safe house… Safe house…” He mumbled as he walked along, weight from two bodies and packs pulling on him.

Whatever Mikel had done to stitch his wounds and cure his ails had been great - but now appeared to be wearing off.

His wounds hadn’t reopened yet, but he could feel the old aches and pains coming back as he went along.

“Blasted thing should be right -”

Something shifted in the night ahead of Helsket and he darted to the side into an alleyway nearly too small for him to fit.

Anything larger than a man would have a hard time getting through - and he knew, even tired he could handle that size of creature - but anything larger or more powerful and they were all done for.

He squeezed into the passageway, more gap than alley, and wedged the packs between himself and the opening while he shifted the two knocked-out bodies behind him.

If something was going to grab them then by the gods it would have to go through him first.

An inhuman cry came from somewhere out on the street and Helsket held his breath as a massive figure cloaked in black shadow lumbered past the opening on all fours. Its legs were the size of tree trunks and just as long while its body was thick and powerful with muscle. He could see the suggestion of smooth scales covering its hide but the smoke-black night left little obviously visible.

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As it passed a massive tail swung back and forth swiping up dust from the street and leaving a hazy path in its wake which added to the smokey atmosphere already clogging the air.

“Damn thing - Almost got us,” Helsket muttered as he looked at Mikel and Metrike.

He fought down the sensation climbing in his guts - the urge to run and scream and panic - for anyone else it would have been impossible to resist, but as it stood Helsket still had enough of his wits about him to hold steady and maintain his position.

What he really needed was Mikel to wake up - If the boy -

“Helsket - where are we? What’s wrong? Why do I feel The Dread?”

Helsket jumped and turned around to find Mikel pushing away from Metrike and extricating himself from the tangle of limbs Helsket had wound them into to so as to make carrying the pair easier.

Helsket's heart jumped and a grin cracked his haggard face. Actual joy was rare in his life - This one was incongruous with where he found himself but he'd take it.

“Who’s she?” Mikel asked, eyes half closed and confused, “What in the nine rings of hel is going on?”

Helsket sheathed his mace and moved as quickly as the small space would allow and scooped Mikel up in a bear hug.

Mikel grunted and tried to return the gesture, but he was in a bad spot and could only pat his friend on the back.

“What’s wrong? Why are you hugging me?”

Helsket barked a rough laugh, “Keep your voice down you damn boy - I’m hugging you to try and shut you up. Also, I was worried you'd died - after that stunt you pulled with the crimson armor and the battle, I -,”

He pulled back and held Mikel at arm's length, looking him over for injuries, “It doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is you're alive - Are you hurt? Did that… The armor you conjured up hurt you?"

Mikel laughed and rubbed his head, “You sound like me! I’m usually the one doing the question bombarding.”

Helsket laughed again, “I’m just glad you’re alive - we barely made it out of that ambush. We got a hostage out of it but I don't know how useful she'll be after seeing what their boss looked like under the hood,” He used his chin to indicate Metrike’s prone form, “Whatever you did to her, hurt her bad. Her whole right arm is crushed to a pulp. You’ve got to show me how you did that Skill - I’ve seen full Armor Up Skills before, but nothing like that. It was like you were a whole other person! Hel! You were bigger than me!”

Mikel grimaced, “Can we talk about that another time? I… I just can’t right now. What I did cost me. I got the power we needed, but it cost me. You know what I mean?”

Helsket grunted, “Of course I do. Power always comes at a cost. Just pray that you got a good bargain - otherwise, you will live to regret your decision.”

“Yeah, not sure on this one,” Mikel said, “Time will tell. At least we have that now… At least tonight… I think -”

He cut off as a woman’s scream echoed across the city. It was bloodcurdling and meant only one thing - someone had died bloody.

“Helsket, what was that?” Mikel asked as his eyes tracked back to the big warrior.

“I’ll let you know once we find a safe house,” Helsket said as he glanced behind them and out the alleyway, “We need to move though. The beasties I told you about are up and moving. If we’re not careful we’ll be one more cry they can use to lure other’s in for dinner.”

“I’m guessing we’re what’s served up”

“You’re catching on, boyo,” He said, “Now hoist your pack, grab your sword and hand me the girl. We’re moving and moving fast.”