Book 3 Chapter 19

Torvus let out a laugh, parrying a deadly thrust and returning a blow of his own. The white mask figure he was fighting let out a grunt of pain as the blow forced him back. “First we have to get out of here!” He yelled back towards Maria…

More blades found their way into Maria’s body stabbing her brutally. She grabbed one by the blade, gripping it tightly as she reached out with her other hand, forcing the killer to let go as he fled. She dug the blade from her body, ignoring the blood that poured even as the wound started to heal itself.

Brandishing the same dagger, she moved with inhuman speed waiting for another blade to pierce her before countering with a slash of her own. Shoving the taken dagger deep into one of the hooded figure’s chest. They fell with a gurgle and Maria turned towards the next with determined eyes.

“Feeling the pressure Rolo?” Torvus asked his opponent with a mocking tone. they danced this way and that their bodies only visible for milliseconds at a time.

“The only thing I’m feeling is anticipation,” The white-masked man answered, “Of just how good it will feel to shut that mouth of yours once and for all!” He dashed forward, blade slashing at Torvus’s neck, only to be thrown off course as an explosion rocked the brewery.

Dust and debris were sent flying and the shaking ground caused many of those in the office to lose their balance, tumbling to the ground before they could catch themselves.

Maria stood firm, taking advantage of the sudden chaos to shove the dagger through another assassin’s throat before grabbing and lifting another. She channeled her blessing, pushing it to its limits, before hurling her captive towards the office wall. The wall shattered along with the body, throwing rubble out onto the brewery floor and revealing the chaos within.

Panicked screams and yells came from frightened workers as the entrance was wreathed in flames. Standing with his arms crossed was a grumpy Tirr, who patiently waited as the workers ran in terror, making sure they all got out safely before turning toward the now exposed office.

Torvus let out a laugh as he dashed towards to god with Maria, The remaining assassins tried to give chase, but a single glare from Tirr stopped them dead in their tracks. He raised a hand and water sprang out of the air around him, bubbling as it twisted and turned.

Suddenly it streaked towards them, needles of ice stretched out like lighting. The hooded figures shifted their bodies flickering as they tried to run, but the ice followed them, piercing their chests the moment they reappeared.

As their bodies fell to the ground, Tirr let the water melt mixing with the blood pooling onto the ground. He turned towards his approaching apostles, somewhat pacified at having made such an entrance. “Is it done?” He asked them proudly.

Torvus gave a thumbs up, “Yeah, she did beautifully! He never even suspected it…”

“Next time Torvus can dress up…” Maria muttered as they started to run.

Tirr’s head cocked in confusion at her words, but they ran together as they escaped from the still burning brewery. Behind them, the fire seemed to find its way to the brewery’s equipment. There was a burst of light and heat as the fire rose in the sky. They could see the blast before the sound hit them, followed by a blast of air that almost knocked them off their feet.

As they left the burning wreckage behind and moved back through the city, taking the empty alleys and rooftop passes until they reached one of the underground entrances.

“Another one down then…” Tirr said as they reached the safety of the caverns.

“Yep, won’t be long now until we get to welcome that ice witch with open arms!” Torvus replied, smiling as he walked with his hands crossed over his head.

“Are all of them going to be so… Disgusting?” Maria asked, thinking back to the slimy pervert whose neck she had just snapped.

“Pretty much, not many as bad as Denis back there, but anyone with even a smidge of a soul left with Raife. That’s why this was necessary in the first place…”

“We…” Tirr started when he suddenly froze. Maria looked at him in confusion just as he dove into her, knocking her to the ground. She looked up in surprise to see an arrow sticking out of the cavern wall next to them.

“What?” she started, but a low rumble sounded through the tunnel as the ceiling above them broke and collapsed. Concentrating together, Tirr and Maria focused their blessing as a golden shield appeared over them.

It shimmed into life just as the heavy rocks came crashing down, burying them under the small dome. As the rubble piled up Tirr rose hands over his head as he pushed the largest rock off of them revealing the dust-filled cavern. As they dug themselves free, Tirr found the strange wild-looking man with the ram skull hood he had seen when they entered the city. He raised his hands and Tirr felt the ground around him shift as it reached over his feet, tightening into stone.

Tirr broke free just as another arrow seemed to appear just in front of him, making no sound as it traveled. He raised an arm and was caught by surprise as his arm disappeared in a thunder-like clap. He fell back, looking to his side as a thin, delicate-looking man holding a bow as tall as himself appeared.

Before Tirr could even regenerate, a roar of smoke and fire came screaming at them from the other side. Tirr raised a hand and water rose into a massive sheet, boiling as the flames struck it. The steam dissipated as the former Captain Reynold’s stepped forward, looking smug as more fire collected around his hands.

“Torvus!” He yelled, trying to make sure the young man still lived as he tried to help Maria up.

Instead, all that greeted him was a cold voice, “I’m sure he’s not far little god…” The white-masked Odee appeared, completing the encirclement. Tirr regenerated his arm quickly as the four men grew closer.

“Whether or not he comes back to die with you though… Well,” Odee completed, dagger twirling in his hands as he smirked, “I wouldn’t bet on it…”