"Thantis!” Veera called urgently as Winters laid Xan down on the stone table in the middle of the temple. He was thankful to see that it had been covered with leather at some point earlier in the day, a precaution that provided a small amount of cushion for the young guard’s injured body.

“Io, status update,” Winters demanded, making sure his words didn’t leave his helmet.

‘Yes sir. His breathing appears to have stabilized and we’ve stemmed the blood loss for now. He is lucky he has that fur. I don’t think there’s been any temperature damage or significant reduction of core body temperature. Are we operating?’

“No, not until the village is secure. We at least know now that the east point of entry is clear, the temple of Meylith is alright, and that there’s minimal hostile presence in the northeast. We’ll meet up with Antoth and figure out how to keep it that way and see if he knows anything we don’t.”

‘Understood sir.’ Io saluted him with her axe as Winters turned away from Xan.

“Veera!” He immediately took his girlfriend into his arms, finally allowed just a moment. “You did really well love. Thank you. I just couldn't stand to see Xan like that. I slipped up.”

“It’s alright now Russell. You chose to lean on me and I won’t forget that. It makes me happy. Besides, I don’t understand half of what you did to Xan’s body.” She responded in kind to his embrace but quickly broke away as Thantis appeared from his chambers.

“So, the battle finds me at last?” He asked sadly, already knowing the answer.

“Yes Thantis,” Winters replied. “I’ve stabilized Xan as best I could. He’s got two arrow wounds and a sword wound to the eye. Those have been treated for now. His left leg was hit bad, either sword or spear. It pierced to the bone but if your species even has major arteries I don’t think it hit directly. I’ve staunched the bleeding and restricted the blood flow for now. I need to drive back the invaders in the west and anywhere else they might have ventured; please keep him safe and have him drink any water he can. His body needs fluids to replace what he’s lost.” The death priest nodded, understanding that in the moment he was very likely outclassed in terms of medical knowledge.

“I understand Winters. I will do what I can for him without disturbing your work.” The old one immediately began gathering water, herbs, and poultices. Winters looked over to where Veera was standing, gently petting Xan’s head. He unholstered his pistol and gave it to her.

“Russell, what’s going on?” She demanded, nevertheless taking the sidearm from him and immediately checking to ensure the safety was on and that a round was chambered.

“From the looks of it Antoth held the east gate and we held the north, which means that the western gate is probably a goddamn cluster fuck right now since they had to get in somewhere. Given the way things stand Antoth has already lost at least eight men killed or wounded and some of them are inevitably going to have to deal with the fires. The point is there’s very few men left to fight off an invasion force of anything more than a couple dozen enemies.” Veera narrowed her eyes.

“Which is where you come in, I presume.”

“Exactly.”

“But not me?” She added hotly.

“You’re staying here, Veera. You’re holding the most powerful weapon in the village. No guards are going to be able to stay here with you. No one is going to be able to protect the wounded and I can absolutely guarantee you that by the time the night is over it’ll be more than just Xan. That is your job now and yours alone. Protect Xan, protect Thantis, and I’ll protect you.” He took his helmet off so she could see his face, see how bloody serious he was about keeping his promise. His brow was furrowed and angry but Veera was more than able to get the measure of his soul by looking into his eyes. She nodded, leaning in to lick his cheek before he returned his helmet to its rightful place.

“Xan, don’t!” She admonished, looking down to find the young guard reaching weakly for Winters. He knelt at the table.

“What the hell did I tell you, kid?” He asked gently. “Don’t talk and don’t move.” Xan managed a whisper.

“I got…behind them.” Veera gasped softly at his words, turning a suddenly tearful gaze on her human. She could see it in his body language, in his shoulders and the way he carried himself. He was trying to hold it in as well. He was an emotional soldier. Winters gently returned Xan’s hand to the table.

“Yeah, yeah you did Xan. You did good. Now rest and drink, please, or I will kick your ass so hard you’ll wish you were dead. Veera?”

“Yes Russell?”

“I’m going. Selah.” He saw something flash behind her eyes, knew she wanted to say something more to him. With the barest smile he reasoned it was probably quite a few things but in the end she allowed him to depart.

“Selah Russell.” Veera tightened her hold on his pistol’s grip.

“Selah young one,” Thantis added, arriving at Veera’s side as he began to take an accounting of Xan’s condition for himself. Confident that the young guard was in good hands, Veera moved to the doorway with her mate, keeping her spear close. She flicked the safety off as Winters strode out into the night.

-----

Winters didn’t have to wait long. Within moments Antoth reappeared along with several guards who clearly made up the morning or afternoon shift and had rushed to the barracks to arm themselves upon hearing the horn. Any signs of fatigue were temporarily overwhelmed by the fear and excitement of a real battle. Tarn was among them and looked as though he knew what was happening to his father’s temple, his face contorted in sorrow and rage.

“Antoth, what’s the plan?” Winters demanded immediately, earning him a sour look from the mayor’s son. He held his tongue though. The captain began at once.

“I’m sure you’ve already realized this, but given what we know about the gates it looks like I’ve already lost eight men. Those on patrol have likely engaged the enemy; the same is true of the sun guards. Tarn!”

“Yes sir!” The strapping young guard brought his spear to attention.

“Take three men and coordinate efforts to get these fires out. I’m sure there are already villagers scattered about without protection who will need it. When the barrels inside the village are dry secure a route to the river for civilians as well. Remember your training and fight together. Your discipline will defeat them. Understood?” Winters and Io nodded in understanding as Antoth assigned Tarn the mission that he was most eager to carry out.

“Sir, yes sir!” Tarn saluted with his spear before barking orders to three of the assembled guardsmen. With little fanfare the four of them tore off down the main road before making a left into the alleys past the temple of Meylith, presumably to reach the temple of Seil with minimal opposition. Theirs was not strictly a combat mission. With Tarn’s detachment gone Antoth was left with five men.

“How do you want to handle this Winters?” Antoth asked, looking down the main road into the distance. In the light of the fires and torches they could see a massive group of Cauthan invaders congregating in the area around the temples of Valta and Tyrdus. “I don’t mind telling you I’m going to need your help here.” Winters shook his head.

“Think nothing of it. Far as I can tell this half of the village is relatively safe, given that they seem to have latched onto the hunter’s lodge or the forge as a primary target for looting. I’d recommend a sweep of the northeast first, followed by the northwest. Tarn and his men can hopefully handle anything in this quadrant and I left Veera with one of my guns.”

“You did what?!” Antoth shouted, remembering how insistent the human and been that he not touch the weapon, way back when he’d first been a guest of the village.

“I trained her in its use, don’t worry. Temple of Kel is one of the safest places in the town right now. Is that plan amenable to you?” Winters’ voice was anxious and impatient. Both he and Antoth knew that they had precious few seconds to continue planning.

“What will you do Winters?” Antoth asked grimly, thinking he already knew the answer.

“I’m going right up the middle.”

“You cocky son of a bitch,” Antoth snarled, inwardly thrilled at the human’s declaration.

“Leave my mother out of this Antoth,” Winters shot back, sporting a feral grin equal to that of Antoth’s as the two men prepared their bodies and minds to shed blood. “Leave the west gate open. Allow them to leave.” That caught the Guardian by surprise.

“Why?!”

“Because if you cut off that final avenue of retreat before I start putting the pressure on they’ll get desperate and scatter.” Antoth picked up his meaning immediately.

“And then we’ll have a mass murder of civilians on our hands as they disperse throughout the village. Gods I hope they’ve all stayed inside.”

“Best we can do for them right now is to get those bastards out of our village.” Winters growled. Antoth drew his sword.

“Very well lads, you heard the alien! He’s joining the fight so you’d best not go and disappoint Uthos tonight. Teams of two, I’ll move solo if needed. On me!” With a roar, Antoth’s men replied before all five of them broke into a trot, fanning out to clear the streets of the northeast part of the village.

‘A well conceived plan, sir,’ Io commented as Winters turned and began jogging towards the village center. ‘They will sweep from east to west while we do the same, eventually forcing all hostile elements out through the west gate.’ Io displayed a map of the village with arrows simulating troop movements. She even had markers for the last known position of Tarn’s team and the sun guards.

“That’s the idea Io. How are you doing?”

‘I’ve never felt more alive, sir,’ she replied happily, feeling her adrenaline subroutine link itself to the ones that governed her new ‘heart’ and ‘lungs’. ‘What about you?’ She turned the question on him as they ran, happy to see that he’d calmed substantially since their first kill.

“Playing field medic and tactician definitely helped me cool off a bit but…now? How many do you think I’m going to have to kill Io?” She looked at him sadly, it was more than apparent that after many months with Veera’s tribe he considered the taking of a Cauthan life to be equal in gravity to the killing of a human.

‘Far too many, sir. But I will never leave your side,’ she promised, knowing that Jess had likely done the same for him.

“Thank you, Io. Shall we render assistance?” He asked, coming into view of the square. From his new angle of approach he could see that a good number of the houses in the southwest temple district were, in fact, on fire. Villagers scurried away from the scene, finding some solace in the streets behind the burning temple of Seil. Tarn’s men had secured the route as they desperately attempted to combat the flames. The flight of the unarmed was aided by the fact that the raiders seemed almost singularly focused on their current task of looting.

The only enemy presence in the immediate area that Winters or Io could discern consisted of a few raiders fighting one remaining sun guard. Winters didn’t know if the second had fallen among the bodies in the square, which seemed close to a dozen, or if he’d been forced into combat elsewhere. Not wanting to slow down Winters deviated course only slightly, running towards the melee and unholstering his combat knife, letting it fly the moment he felt comfortable with the distance. “Hey asshole! Catch!”

The remaining sun guard thrust his spear into the belly of his opponent, taking grim satisfaction as the metal flanges that flanked the tip of the weapon ripped organs out along with them, ensuring the enemy Cauthan would no longer be a threat. Turning to face the commotion of the melee again his eyes widened with fear. One of the invaders had gotten the jump on him during his fight. He’d gotten sloppy after the temple had caught fire. He’d devoted too much attention to one opponent. Firelight glinted in the beast’s wild eyes as his striped arms rose into the air for a killing blow, a jagged stone dagger held high. In that moment he recognized the human warrior’s vulgarity sounding across the square. A soft hum of whirring metal reached his ears, followed by the undeniable sounds of a blade cutting deep into fur and flesh. Instead of a coup de grace, the limp body of a nomad fell into his arms instead, an eight inch steel blade protruding from between its shoulder blades. Looking up, the sun guard noticed the human hadn’t even stopped to throw the blade, his strides carrying him onward towards the other temples in need of aid. The sun guard snarled triumphantly, his battle already destined to be a phyrric victory at best.

“Thank you human! You too are a fucking asshole! I shall use this gift well!” He yelled at Winters’ armored back, yanking the knife free and turning to face his two remaining foes. He hefted his spear in his right hand to redistribute the weight, as adept at wielding it one handed as with two. His final two opponents looked at one another with fear and trepidation in their eyes. Ten of them had managed to climb the south walls, though none of their brethren had followed. The west gate had been opened by that time and their reinforcements had instead taken the easy way in, leaving the small raiding party isolated and alone. Though they’d managed to burn the seat of power of the village as a distraction and down one of the two royal guards, it had cost them dearly. As it turned out the farming clan could still fight, and it had taken them five lives to secure the one kill. The second had killed two of them before the timely intervention of a knife in the dark secured a third. That left only two to face down a furious sun guard.

“Come now, you made it this far! Show me something entertaining before I kill you! My brother will be wanting some company on his way to join the almighty Seil!” With a final roar invoking his master’s deity he pounced upon them, blade and spear flashing in the orange light of the blaze.

-----

‘Well struck sir. I believe you may have just saved his life,’ Io concluded, looking with pride at her operator as he sucked down Maran air to fuel his body, now practically sprinting towards a final confrontation with the bulk of the enemy forces. They only had a moment to regard the melee however, as Io highlighted a pair of raiders on his HUD for him. They had broken from the main group that was looting the temple of Valta and had just stepped into the temple of Tyrdus next door. Winters nodded at Io’s recommendation, remaining as quiet as he could on approach. Thankfully for him it seemed that Ratha and a few of her hunters had taken position atop their temple, attempting to rain arrows down upon the main body of the enemy force. While they were effectively pinned down on the far side of the roof it was still a welcome distraction, allowing Winters to duck inside the neighboring temple without much notice. An involuntary grunt left his lips as he stumbled over another body. It was drowned out by the existing commotion inside.

“You’ll pay for that you fucking whelp!” The surviving raider hissed, backing a terrified looking Cauthan up against the wall. “You must have thought yourself smart, hiding in wait like the pathetic farm clan you are. But look at you now. That hammer won’t do you any good against my spear, kid. Hope you’re ready to meet your gods!”

Zolta’s world came to a stop. It had been nothing but a whirlwind since the horns had sounded. Before he knew it the sounds of battle had surrounded his temple, cutting him off from escape. His late night work forgotten he’d grabbed a large hammer and hid in the corner of the room, occasionally checking the streets only to find them filled with more and more enemies as the night went on. His only route blocked, he instead chose to remain by the doorway, hoping to get a jump on any enemy that might poke his head inside to explore. While the plan had initially worked, caving in the flimsy leather helmet and skull of one raider, the second had easily followed up on his partner’s sacrifice. Zolta was pushed away by the shaft of a spear before the other began lashing out with stabbing attacks that forced him back over tables and chairs to his current position, pressed against the unforgiving wooden wall of his temple, waiting to die. Zolta blinked, thinking he saw a shadow enter the building as his would be murderer mocked him, stalking up to him slowly before readying his spear for the final thrust. The unfamiliar language went in one ear and out the other as his dreams flashed before his eyes. He had been working another late night so that he and Asha could move in the spring. He thought of her smiling face whenever they talked about having that place of their own. Clutching the pendant under his tunic Zolta closed his eyes and waited; waited for death. His final thoughts were of her, of the few precious moments together when she’d bared her belly for him, when he’d felt the small swelling of life under her fur, the undeniable proof that was going to be a father. I’m so sorry Asha. I love you. Seconds passed. The blow never came. The temple had fallen strangely silent. Something hot and wet dripped onto his muzzle.

“Never, ever close your eyes when facing the enemy.” A rough voice, distorted in a most familiar way, reached Zolta’s ears. His eyes flew open just in time to witness the human’s nano-forged blade rise up through the body of his assailant, cleaving the torso in two from belly to shoulder. The human scoffed with disgust, casting the body aside and offering Zolta his hand.

“Winters!”

“You alright kid? Damn good kill on that first one.” He managed a smile behind his helmet, the sight of Zolta standing on his own power forcing back the demons inside of him that were growing ever louder, calling for more blood to defend Veera, to defend his home.

“By all the gods Winters, you cut him in half!” Zolta cried, unable to take his eyes off of the blood-stained weapon hanging from Winters’ grasp.

“There’s going to be a lot more of that before this night ends Zolta. Where is Asha?”

“She’s at home, in the northeast quadrant! Oh gods, I have to get to her-”

“Hold your horses Zolta and listen to me,” Winters commanded, arresting the Cauthan’s sudden movement with a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Russell…who’s blood is that on your gloves?” Zolta asked, the smell overpowering as it came close to his muzzle. Winters hung his head.

“It’s Xan’s.” The icy grip of fear took hold of Zolta once again and he struggled. “I said hold it!” Winters roared, commanding obedience through sheer presence alone. “Listen to me Zolta. Xan is badly wounded but stable. He’s safe with Veera at the temple of Kel. Your mate, if she is home, is probably in one of the safest locations in the entire village given where the attackers have concentrated themselves. You are the most at risk right now so you will shut up, you will sit down, and you will listen to me!” Zolta found he couldn’t bring himself to speak, instead nodding silently. “Good. Now here’s the plan. I just came from the village center. This area of the town is wracked by sporadic fires and enemy raiders. Stick to the main road and then cut to the left. Stay in the square, it should be clear. Antoth’s men are sweeping through the northern alleys right now and you do not want them to make a mistake in the darkness. Once you reach the eastern half of the square, head straight to Asha the fastest way you know how. Stay with her and keep her safe. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to head out there, get their attention, and begin clearing them out of our home. Give me a count of ten once you hear the sounds of battle and then make your break for it, alright? They should be well focused on me by then.” Zolta swallowed hard, his throat suddenly very dry.

“How…how are you going to do that Russell? There had to be at least fifty of them out there, with more outside the gates!” Whatever reaction the human had to Zolta’s question, it remained hidden behind the impassive mask of his helmet.

“Do you remember what your people called me when I first came to the village?”

“The avatar of Kel,” Zolta said in a raspy whisper. Winters nodded.

“It might destroy me on the inside, but tonight that’s exactly what I’m going to be. They will face death itself and they will know fear before they meet him.” At that moment Zolta thought he had a very good idea of what would be going through the raiders’ minds when Winters came for them. Knowing time was of the essence, he nodded and waved him away.

“Go then Russell. May Kel protect you.” Without another word Winters turned and left the temple. Zolta waited for the screams.

-----

Io had responded whole-heartedly to Winters’ declaration that he would ‘become death’, completely forgetting her duty as a moderating influence as the two of them burst into the street. ‘Shall we get their attention sir?’ She asked politely, a wicked smile gracing her lips as she bared her teeth.

“I think so, Io. Crank it up to max,” he ordered, standing in the middle of the street like something out of an old Western. A couple of the raiders guarding the pilfering effort had noticed him already, though they didn’t seem to be afraid. There were dozens of them, formed into an orderly line that was slowly draining the temple of Valta of every last piece of usable material. By the looks of things they’d already taken all of the meat and at gotten started on the leather and bone, the line of men and women protected by the largest warriors of the tribe. Their lackadaisical attitude was instantly shattered as an other-worldly, demonic roar emanated from the armored titan, the battlecry of a male combined with the shrieking of a banshee from hell. It was unadulterated psychological warfare, serving both to fuel Winters’ bloodlust and frighten the enemy into disorder. It worked on both counts as yelling and screams erupted from the foreign congregation.

‘Highlighting priority targets now, sir.’ Io spoke calmly as she picked out three male Cauthan whose armor, adornment, and stature seemed greater than those around them. ‘Well that would explain much. I believe we’re dealing with a union of tribes sir, perhaps a temporary truce to ensure a successful raid of this village. They certainly brought numbers. I estimate fifty seven warriors between those on guard duty and the looters. There’s even a few female fighters.’ Acknowledging the target readout with his eyes, Winters was about to charge the line when a small flurry of arrows rained down from above, felling two warriors and one of the chieftains. Ratha’s hedonistic cry of victory rang out from atop the temple as he fell, clutching at this throat where her arrow had sliced him open, her distinctive fletching job a grisly accent on her kill. The joy was short lived. In response, the archers among the raiders cried out and fired a return volley. One of the village hunters didn’t duck quickly enough, his screams brought short as he tumbled from the roof and fell headfirst to the ground below. Ratha’s furious cries and curses earned her nothing but a second volley, forcing her into a retreat. Though it came at a cost, she’d given Winters an opening. In a flash he was at the vanguard, aiming to run straight past them for the other two leaders. He never reached them, an ominous sound shattering the night.

“NO!” Winters’ world faded to black as the unmistakable sound of a gunshot rang through the village. The burning houses didn’t exist. The enemy didn’t exist. Zolta’s fleeing form didn’t exist. The only thing he knew was that he was living in a world where Veera might not be alive, thoughts of what might have happened to her had she missed flooding his mind against his will. “VEERA! Io, patch her through to me now! Veera!” The static that filled his helmet pressed down on him. She wasn’t saying anything. “Veera, please talk to me! Veera!” He’d begun hyperventilating.

“R-Russell?!” The shaky voice of his mate finally reached him. It was a sip of water in the middle of the Sahara. He could breathe well again. It didn’t matter that a couple of the raiders were currently attempting to hack him to pieces. It didn’t matter that one had leaped upon him, bravely trying to sink his knife into the gaps between his chest plating and his helmet. All that mattered was that Veera was alive. He indulged in his invincibility to talk to the Cauthan who’d become the cornerstone of his life.

“Veera, are you alright?!”

“I…yes…I’m in one piece. Which is a lot more than I can say for him.”

“What happened Veera? Are there other enemies near you?”

“YOU NEVER TOLD ME THEIR CHEST WOULD EXPLODE!” She yelled back at him. He didn’t think he’d ever heard sweeter words from her. “But yes, I’m alright now Russell. I have eleven more.” Sweeter indeed.

“Don’t worry Veera, I’ll make sure none of them ever come close to you again.” He cut the link to Veera with his eyes. He didn’t want her to hear what would come next. “Io, scorched earth protocol. They all have to die.”

‘Yes sir, analyzing.’ While Io cataloged every available target on sensors, Winters began by solving his immediate problem, reaching up and grabbing the brave and foolish raider by the upper arms before hoisting him above his head in a brutal display of strength.

“Now DIE FOR ME!” He yelled, slamming the Cauthan into the ground so hard that not even the layer of snow could break his fall, the sickening sounds of a snapping spinal column filling the air around him. With screams of terror, some of the looters dropped their prizes and fled as the remaining chieftains called for order and rallied their troops. Of the others around Winters one was unable to leap away in time, finding his neck in the grip of an Aegis gauntlet as Winters drew back his left fist. “This one’s for you Io, enjoy it.” With a sinister grin he smashed the gauntlet that held the B-MASS into the Cauthan’s face, repeatedly, following the soon unconscious body into the snow as he continued to pummel it while Io cheered him on with vicious glee. It wasn’t long before the face was barely recognizable, the front of the skull fractured beyond reason as blood and brain stained the snow. His appetite only mildly sated, Winters stood, allowing the blood to drip from his hand as he took a volley of arrows straight to the chest for emphasis. He spoke as they bounced harmlessly off of his armor. “You fuckers don’t understand, do you? You thought you could come here and kill Xan? You thought you could come here and threaten a new father and mother? You thought you could come here and burn my home? You thought you could come here and put my mate in danger? YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD KILL DEATH?!”

Io could barely keep herself under control as Winters’ vitals spiked and his body thrummed with murderous energy and intent. She felt herself wanting to explode as he charged the line, scattering the raiders in every direction as they fell over one another trying to flee to the west. She coped by throwing herself into their shared task, enacting Winters’ desire by highlighting targets in order so that he could minimize his movement between each kill. With sword and shield he charged and lunged forward. Those brave enough to stand and fight were the first to fall. The enemies on his right met their end on his blade. He stabbed for the heart and for the throat. He cleaved at the waist and down from the shoulder, the honed edge of the blade easily splitting his enemies in two, the snow beneath him changing to deep crimson.

Those to Winters’ left were no more fortunate. The lucky ones were struck dead instantly as his shield smashed into their heads, crushing skulls and snapping necks. Others suffered blunt force trauma to the chest, their lungs punctured by their own broken ribs as they were thrown against the walls of the buildings that lined the avenue. A few even caught the leading edge of the shield, opening up brutal gashes across the neck and chest. Winters had promised to become death. With Io’s help, he achieved it. It took less than a minute for them to reach the remaining leaders of the assault and bring them down, their decapitated bodies joining those of their tribesmen. Seeing the west gate still open the rest dropped their weapons and fled, carrying their ill gotten gains into the night and screaming to their fellows in the trees to run for their lives, for death himself now defended the clan of farmers. Death found that most unsatisfactory.

“Now now, we just got started! Don’t run away!” Winters yelled, kneeling at the gate and drawing his rifle, easily bringing a fleeing female into his scope. “I want you to die!” As he made to pull the trigger his vision dimmed again, the red haze turning black as the gray and white striped tail suddenly turned a dusky gold. He closed his eyes tight, too far gone to stop himself. “Veera, NO!”

‘Sir! Russell!’ Io cried out to him, having locked the joints of his right glove. While she had enjoyed the slaughter right along with him, even reveled in it, she’d processed the aftermath in mere seconds as Winters made ready to fire. Unlike her he was still fully ensconced in the battle trance, surrounded by a bloody haze in his mind. ‘Sir please, come to your senses! Are we shooting fleeing women and children now?! The threat is gone!’ Io implored him to see reason, doing all she could to keep his straining body under control. Forced to a stop by the armor locks, Winters had no choice but to listen as Io continued to call for calm, gnashing his teeth and foaming at the lips as he struggled against his partner so that he could take life again. It was the only way Veera could be safe. They all had to die. Finally Io had had enough, changing back into her officers uniform and dominating his HUD entirely. It was time to stop the madness. It was what her morality, born from him, demanded. ‘Du Barbar! That is enough, soldier! What would Jess think of you now? What would Veera think?!’ She cried desperately, tears streaming from her eyes as the highs and lows of battle tore through her and her partner. ‘Please stop this madness Russell! The battle is won. Enough have died.’

“Enough have…” he whispered, feeling his hand go slack and fall away from the trigger. Those names echoed through his mind. Jess. Veera. “Where am I…what did…”

‘No sir, please don’t!’ Io bade him halt but he finally had his wits about him enough to go through the lengthy process to manually override the VI armor lock. Using his regained movement, he holstered his rifle before standing and turning back to the street. It looked like something out of an eldritch nightmare. To his right black smoke curled to the sky, lit from below by towering flames as the snow continued to fall. Before him lay dozens of bodies and pieces of bodies. Men and women alike had fallen at his hand, cut down into nothing and dyeing the entire street red with blood. Raiders lay coughing and dying, slumped against houses and temples. The lucky ones had perished on the spot. Cries of horror echoed from the forest behind him, the cost of the raid proving astronomical for its perpetrators. He looked down at his hands, his faceplate tinged red with the blood of his enemies. He couldn’t stop the shaking. His entire body was red. His legs soon followed. He thought he would go crazy. His suit fell like a hellscape prison that was boiling him alive. Sweat dripped from his brow as he slowly took in all of the stupendous horror that he’d inflicted in mere minutes. Io had dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she despaired for her operator, for the dead, and for her own lack of control. She had allowed this slaughter, the fact that she’d prevented more a mere afterthought. The price of both the killing and her harsh words proving heavier than she could conceive.

“Io…what have I done?” Winters finally spoke, allowing his arms to fall to his sides in defeat. Even Ratha, still perched on the roof a nearby building, had been shocked into still silence by his brutal display.

“Russell! Russell!” Eyes wide and horrified, Winters looked up to find none other than Veera sprinting towards him, dodging limbs and bodies as the pistol gleamed in her hand. It felt like he’d been dropped into a frozen lake. He could see it in her eyes, in the way her crest feathers shook and waved. Veera was terrified, terrified of him, of the monster he’d been hiding from her. She reached him and grabbed his hand, tugging desperately as she tried to keep herself under control. She wished she could see his face. “Russell, Xan is dying!”

Like a drowning man reaching for a life raft, Winters’ body responded to her words. The battle wasn’t over. There was still something for him to do. The HEL Jumper was still needed, even if Russell Winters was a lost cause. Without a word he took off running, his eyes shut to the awful carnage he’d wrought as Veera tailed behind him, her voice confused and tearful.

“Io…what’s happening?”