Draft

Criterion

 

 

Draft

Avalis clenched her fist as the barge neared the edge of the forest. They had gone over this time and time again. They wouldn’t just be dealing with Shuga’s forces it seemed; they’d be dealing with Imperials as well. She looked around her fellow soldiers armed and ready for war their faces hardened by deficit and loss. Any moment they would be wading into the thick canopy of the Veridian Jungle that enclosed the forest.

The air was thick and sticky as they made landfall on the pink and black sand beach. “Everyone form up, we’ve got a meeting. We also need to set up base camp.” Waarp said his emerald eyes flashing. Squad leaders aligned and the squads got in formation facing him. Antwan, Annonymuz, Deshawna, and Waarp headed the squads. “Ready when you are Caesar.” Annonymuz said. Waarp nodded.

“Avalis, Luciana, I need you two on point with Telum. We need an idea of the terrain we’re traveling. Any blind spots, possible traps, or abnormal mana.

The giant white wolf heard his name turning to Waarp with a sharp nod. “Take care of them boy.” Waarp said patting him on the head his nose at Waarp’s shoulder. His eyes the color of frost acute and alert. “Do we get to ride him?” Luciana said smiling. Telum looked at eyes narrowing “Sorry.” she said. “Who’re we meeting?” Avalis said her eyes fixed on Waarp. “We’re on silent running, communicate your findings to Telum he’ll know how to relay them.” Waarp said ignoring her question. Luciana looked at Avalis who looked at Waarp. “We’re not budging from this spot till you tell us who.” Avalis said crossing her arms.

“Seriously? It’s not even that big of a deal.” Waarp said smirking. Avalis’ eyes narrowed. “Really?” “Ok ok. Vanessa-Vanessa Drosselmeyer.” he finally relented. Annonymuz stepped forward eyeing him. “Begging your pardon Caesar, but what?” “You all heard me, she may have vital intel.” “Vital intel.” Avalis and Luciana said looking at each other. “There an echo in here? She saved my life and I need to figure out why, I can go alone and you guys can wait here? Cmon Telum.” he said starting up the path towards the canopy.

“Wait.” Annonymuz said. “We would never be forgiven if we let you set out alone.” Avalis said. “Knew you’d see things my way.” Waarp replied with a smile. “Vanessa huh? Well…at the very least this should be interesting.” Annonymuz said with a shrug.

 

Chapter 1

 

Chapter I

Roman Abioye’s eyes narrowed as he looked over the battlefield. His glare finding Drummond and Rydin who were staring up at him. “You just had to be selfish didn’t ya kid?” Drummond reproached. “Just because I haven’t forgotten what you tried to bury doesn’t make me selfish. You’re more interested in pandering to psychopaths than protecting the innocent!” Rain Man fired back. “You have no idea Roman.” Rydin stated plainly. “No, you have no idea, of the strife that I’m about to bring down on all of your heads.” he snarled a crimson aura exploding around him.

“Shit.” Rydin said throwing up his golden aura once more. “I hate Starets.” he said clenching his fists as he powered up. “Ya know, it’s no wonder this is happening. You Ancients are a bunch of racists.” Drummond said. “Can you blame us? Look what the younger races have done to this planet!” “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Drumond said as they flew bee lining towards Rain Man.

Rain Man blurred and suddenly he was before Rydin catching him by the throat. “Everyone else out here will die like warriors. You on the other hand, will die slow and painful snarky little fuck.” Rain Man growled, squeezing harder. “You’re nothing but a petulant child…” Rydin managed trying to break the Cathedra’s grip. Drummond seized the moment slashing at Rain Man from the side. Rain Man parried his blade stopping it cold eyes not leaving Rydin’s. “One chance Drummond, get your people out of here. The alternative is death.” Rain Man said turning and looking Drummond straight in the eye not budging an inch.

Drummond knew at this moment that the soul of the Conqueror was more powerful than all of them combined. “Roman…” he started. Rain Man’s eyes were dead and unspeakably calignous. They had failed Yorinn, and every ounce of that was being driven back into his soul like molten daggers. Below them Dougal grabbed a female member of The Order of Light tearing her apart effortlessly. “No! Noooooo!” Drummond shouted. Dougal roared throwing the halves at Bronk the wild warrior from the Undercan Jungle in the Under.

Omni weaved hand signs forming magical seals as Neptunia the Kraken Queen descended upon her.

Zarmillia clasped her hands together blue light surrounding them. “Gyur.” she said green eyes flashing. Four large hands made of mana appeared around Omni catching her wrists and ankles. “No!” Drummond shouted as Rain Man stabbed Rydin through the chest with his glowing crimson long sword. “Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.” Rain Man said casting Rydin away like so much refuse. Spektriss flew up over the War Ape Dougal opening his pumpkin maw. A cloud of red fireflies emerged swirling around the onyx furred war beast as he was engaged from the front by Bronk. Bronk was covered in the blood of the fallen Order knight as he hacked at the monster’s massive thigh.

Bronk heard the beast roar and felt the baleful plum colored eyes fall upon him. Bronk slipped a massive paw as Dougal aimed the other palm at him. Dark mana gathered around the gargantuan paw  “Bronk, get clear!” Suny shouted her golden eyes filling with fright. Bronk held his ground raising his Dragon Tooth axe. “You bleed, therefore you can be slain.” Bronk said eyes burning bright red. “Shatter Brandish!” Dougal said a wave of plum colored mana issuing from his palm straight at Bronk. Drummond closed his eyes as Neptunia closed on Omni raising her trident to strike. “Olin, get everyone out of here, I’ll get Rydin.” Drummond said opening his eyes and drawing his weapon. Bronk braced for the incoming wave of darkness raising his weapon and smiling as he threw up a large orange aura insulating him. He held his posture smirking as the wave collided with his axe. He heard it before he saw it, there was a pop and a crack ran down the haft of his massive weapon then it exploded in his hands. The wave drove through his chest and out his back exploding behind him propelling him towards Dougal who drew back. “Now, you die! Bronk the Impenetrable.” Dougal roared clubbing him with a savage lariat. Drummond paused in mid-air his jaw dropping as Bronk’s skull was reduced to bits of bloody bone from the force of Dougal’s strength.

Bronk’s body flopped to the ground blood pooling under it. Omni was now surrounded by three glowing magical seals. One red, one blue, the other green. “Die convicts!” Omni shouted. Each seal pulsed firing bolts of mana at Neptunia. A wall of water surrounded her intercepting the sizzling missiles.Neptunia spun her weapon and the wall morphed into millions of needles made of water. “You can stop magical attacks, but how good are you at stopping physical and magical?” Neptunia said sea foam colored eyes blazing with enmity.

“Omni!” Drummond shouted flying towards her as the swarm of needles screamed for her. The needles at first were replled by the seals but then one after the other quickly fell leaving her wide open. Drummond halted suddenly as Rain Man appeared directly in his path. “Roman!” Drummond shouted eyes wide with rage. “Should’ve left when you had the chance old man.” Rain Man said icily. “You can’t do this! Can’t you see there’s more-” “You’re all going to die.” Rain Man said plainly. The air started to thicken as a crimson aura erupted around Rain Man. Drummond held his weapon poised, as the wind from the energy started pushing him backward. The battle halted as the destructive vermilion energy spiraled around Rain Man.

All eyes found the source of the commotion seeing Rain Man unleashing his true ability. Drummond threw up his blue aura managing to hold himself in place barely as the surge dissipated. Not since Dresdin had he the need for this ability. “Dougal, Unki,Blaid. Cover Neptunia and Zarmillia. Night Krow, with me our targets are Aegis and Cortana.” Rain Man spoke his voice echoing with menace and raw power. Dougal roared backhanding the air sending a wave of energy up towards Spektriss who circled above him.

His fireflies were violently repelled by the force of the wave as he crossed his arms. Drummond had never had the misfortune of seeing the Conqueror in person. He could see, hear, and feel the murderous might unhinged. Rain Man’s being was transformed into pure crimson violence as he floated before Drummond now two heads taller. His eyes had become hollow calignous pits of doom and a crown of eight spikes now sat atop his head. He was armored in all crimson holding Bluush in hand pointing it at Drummond. His eyes swallowed everything they fell upon. He cut an impressive figure, not close to the original creature but no less terrifying. The power though-the power was concentrated into the relic that replaced his beating heart; The Archbijou.

To think, he had originally fused with the gem to defeat Dresdin Palmur.

“The Cannonade will pay for this!” Suny said floating up towards Rain Man. Omni dropped to a knee covered in blood her braids turning from blonde to crimson. She weaved signs one handed as the members of Beast Patrol encircled her approaching. She made to cast her wrist stopped firmly in Zarmillia’s grip. “It’s over.” she said quietly. Rain Man descended upon Olin and his remaining knights. “R-” Olin’s words were stifled by a backhand swipe of Rain Man’s weapon, his head flying off and landing rolling across the ground a shower of crimson escaping his stunned body.

The force of the attack blew the remaining Knights of the Order of Light backhand away violently depositing them in the sea. Spektriss summoned a glowing black scythe spinning and clashing against Rain Man. Sparks of crimson and onyx exploded from the contact. “His speed and power have increased exponentially.” Suny said eyeing Rain Man warily. “Prepare yourselves.” Suny said to the remaining Cortana members. Both were women one with bobcut black hair and the other with flowing back length ash blonde hair and piercing green eyes. She wore a tabard that bore the colors of Tevlin. She cocked her head glaring at the man in the maroon armor. “Never thought I’d see you again, Blaid Kristinsin.” she said.

Contempt ate at his innards as his name exited her mouth. “Aliss, still on the high and mighty bullshit?” he said eyes cutting at her through his

Impressum

Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 21.12.2022
ISBN: 978-3-7554-2811-4

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Widmung:
To My Moms Renee W. Merritt and Diane Bennett I don't communicate nearly enough while I'm on my missions If not for the love and caring of you both none of this would be possible.