Golden eyes boreing into her soul, Daria tried to think. But if truth be told, all she could think about was how if she had been in the boy’s position, she would have called the guard, or put down the beast herself.

With her hand resting softly on her warhammer, she answered, and for a brief instant she felt intense relief, a part of her certain that she was right.

But as if the owl wanted to deny that fact, he hooted with laughter, and spread his wings out again. And before she had time to react, he let fly gusts of wind that sent her tumbling off the cliff face. Her screams of terror as she fell over the edge, torn out of her throat as she smashed, bumped, and rolled her way down the rocky slope, till finally she came to rest at the bottom of a dark ravine.

Her head spinning, her arm throbbing in absolute agony, she could feel blood pouring from a cut in her side. She was also certain that her arm was broken. But before she could worry about any of that, she heard a bone chilling howl come from the nearby rocks around her. Howls that were mimicked, and repeated for thousands of miles, their voices echoing like a wolf pack on the prowl. The ominous stones that loomed overhead, revealed shadows that moved. But as she began to think that she would die here, she felt two arms clasp her from behind, and begin dragging her away. Too weak from blood loss to fight back, she thought she saw slitted green eyes look down at her, before the pain became too much…

Chapter 2

The Savage

https://www.deviantart.com/mike-sass/art/Worm-monster-attack-347658493

In a city full of shadow, Gregor welcomed the darkness, welcomed the release from thought, feeling, and memory. He was reborn again as the red savage, and had become that cunning beast that had saved his life so long ago in that barren accursed wasteland. That instinctual part of him that had fought to survive despite losing everything.

Searching the dark empty streets ahead of him, he could not help but think how fitting it was that he was now here. They who were known as demons, facing something so much worse. But he was merciful, he would make their deaths swift unless they provoked him.

His eyes still locked upon the temple that hung in the distance, he followed the alleyways, working his way behind homes made of mud and thatch, when he heard the unmistakable crunch of movement up ahead of him. The snake guards, creating a kind of sliding sound as their bodies moved across the bone paved streets.

Bounding through an open doorway, he saw a family huddled together on the floorboards. The creatures that slept together in curved positions, were mostly small, and had huge eggs nestled in between them.

Oblivious to his presence, he stared down at them, before the sound of hisses grew louder.

“Wesss mussst finddsss himssss. Thesss masterssss aresss notssss pleasedssss.”

“Yessss wesss musst, butsss wesss mustsss alsssso besss caresssful. Thissss onesss iss strongsss.”

“Wesss knowssss, Sayan, saysss hesss killsss Tylosh.”

“Tylosh stupidssss, wesss issss smarterssss thansss Tylosh.”

Not really listening to their words anymore, Gregor’s fingers clenched around his greatsword, the urge to deal with the threat, and move on, growing stronger inside of him. But even he was given pause at the thought of murdering a family in it’s sleep.

With a wary glance around the room, he saw a pedestal with wooden carvings that seemed to resemble them. And for a brief instant, he remembered the carving that Kira had given him. But she was not here! She was gone! And they had taken her!

Tears of rage almost bubbling in his chest, he rushed out the back door, and left them in peace. He was many things, but even the savage beast within, had its own limits, and he entered another side street. The murals painted on the walls of buildings, had red burning eyes that seemed to look at him as he ran past. Where was the savage when he needed him most? Where was the rage? But as he saw that family by the fireplace, he had been reminded yet again of the one he had lost. The tales he would share with her by the crackling flames, a stinging wound to his heart.

Turning down another darkened alleyway, he again tried to lose himself to the savage. He had to become cold, hard as steel, and as jagged as glass, when he came upon crystal shards in his path. Sprouting up out of the middle of the road, they showered light upon a small pool of water that surrounded it. The slick slithery shape of an eel that passed just beneath its inky black surface, pushed any thoughts of satisfying his thirst away.

Turning down another darkened alleyway, he again tried to lose himself to the savage. He had to become cold, hard as steel, and as jagged as glass, when he came upon crystal shards in his path. Sprouting up out of the middle of the road, they showered light upon a small pool of water that surrounded it. The slick slithery shape of an eel that passed just beneath its inky black surface, pushed any thoughts of satisfying his thirst away. He thought he had seen it's like before in the swamps of Tarstone, but this looked different.

Circling to find a way around the obstruction, Gregor began to believe his luck had hit rock bottom, and saw several groups of snake men come around the next bend. Their wild cries of fury as they charged, forced Gregor to take a step back, and slip in the inky black substance. The creature that reared itself up behind him, almost caused Gregor to shit his pants as he looked up at a gigantic worm that had electrical currents sparking in the air around it. Its antennas flailing about, gave the distinct impression that it was blind. It also helped that he could see no eyes upon it. Leastwise not where they should be.

Watching the snake warriors slither towards him at speed, Gregor quietly slipped into the shadows of a nearby home. His first instinct to kill them, combated by his desire to complete his quest. Coming within reach of the huge worm, the snake warriors attempted to advance silently and surround him, when Gregor released a firebolt that exploded into the ground before them. The worm's glossy white head whipped around, and before they could let out screams, bolts of electrical energy burnt them to a crisp. Each one of them, died in agony as they tried to flee. Meanwhile Gregor, his greatsword held motionless for the moment, smiled in satisfaction. Eight more dead warriors to add to his tally. Waiting until the great worm had slipped back underneath the surface of the water, Gregor began to move again. His sure footed steps, silent as death as he began a small prayer. Not for himself, but for Kira.

Rounding the next street into what looked to be the main plaza, he paused to study the dozens of snake warriors that had formed ranks in the middle of the town square. The temporary barricade they had erected behind them, built of wood, stone, and debris. Almost a hundred strong in segmented armor, Gregor eyed the rooftops, and saw archers positioned on the cross walks, and balconies. They, it seems, had finally realized they were under attack, and had come in force to stop him.

But they had yet to realize their one fatal mistake. Gregor did not care if he died. He was a warrior on a mission, and he would not be stopped, even if he had to come back from the dead. With that thought in mind, he again studied the snake archers. Bows taut with tension, they stared down into the street, with no lookouts behind them.

Seeing a pile of wooden crates positioned by a nearby wall, he thought he could climb up and get the drop on them. He also noticed openings in the barricade that were lightly guarded.

Clambering up onto the wooden crates, he quietly made his way onto the rooftop. The snake guard on duty, barely moved an inch as Gregor came up from behind, and choked the creature to death. Its hissing gurgles as it died, brought a smile to his lips as he picked up the bow, and began releasing arrow after arrow. He had never been much good with ranged weapons, but with the skills the dragon had taught him, it was sheer simplicity. His enhanced vision, reflexes, and coordination, allowed him to aim with deadly accuracy, clearing the rooftops, one by one, until none remained.

Then settling his gaze down upon the guards in the plaza, he saw a warrior thrust his way out of the palisades. Huge, with blood red skin, it moved on two feet, had large black wings that sprouted from its back, and horns that curled from its forehead. Blazing with fury, the massive demon raged at its warriors, ripping out the throat of one, and smashing another into the ground. If Gregor had to guess, the creature was not pleased that he had made it this far. But even as he thought to go down there, and battle the monster, Sarsonel whispered in his ear, “be careful, my sweet, this is no ordinary demon, but an archdemon with powers of his own.”

But with the staircase, not far behind them, Gregor knew he would have to face the monster, and without a thought for the danger that lay ahead of him, he dropped down into the streets. The horrified gazes of the snake warriors that looked upon him, caused more than a few to back away, when the archdemon turned to face him.

“And so the meat has come to my table. I have a mind to tear you limb from limb, but first I must know why you have come? Why you have attacked my disciples, and put the blade to my people? Answer me!”

“They were in my way.”

Chuckling darkly with eyes that smoldered red, the demon threw its head back, and laughed. “I do not think I’ve met a surface-worlder so brave, or so foolish. You will indeed make a fine meal.”

Fiery blade materializing in its palm, it bared its black fangs, and growled, “very well, come and face me.”

Gregor, his greatsword already moving, rolled forward, spinning in arcs, when he was blasted off his feet by a ball of fire. His skin burnt black from the heat, he felt the pain at the back of his mind, and pushed it down. There was no time to be distracted, and sprinted forward again. The fireballs that flew towards him, were sliced to ribbons by careful slashes of his sword, before he was toe to toe with the powerful monster. Blade meeting blade in a shower of white sparks, Gregor roared, greatsword blistering with such speed, the demon was forced backwards. But as before, the creature retaliated with magic, unleashing a wall of flame that flew towards him.

Drawing deeper upon the well of his own energy, he shielded himself from the biting flames, and flew forward into another roll. This time he feinted an attack for the archdemon’s shocked face, before he kicked the demon’s feet out from underneath it, and drove his greatsword into its belly. But even that did not seem enough as it lay there, gasping for air, and staring up at him. “Who are you?”

Blood spilling out of its mouth, Gregor replied, “your death.”

And the demon laughed, sputtering and choking on its own life force. “We shall meet again, warrior, I am Farghoul, remember my name. For it shall be your doom.”

But instead of replying, Gregor stomped his foot down, finally ending its life. The stunned looks of the snake warriors around him, became fear as he met their eyes. “Do not get in my way.” And with those simple words, they broke apart before him, their tail swishing from side to side as they fled. Gregor, thrusting his way past the barricades, walked towards the golden stairs.

With the temple high above him, he smiled grimly, and began the long march upwards.