“That’s obvious, boy,” Satahsusar snapped. “I meant what kind. Head Mage?”

The roar echoed out across the city again.

Aban Saddi leaned out over the railing, hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature in question. “I doubt it’s anything less than a mid-level juvenile. Probably something stronger.”

“Can we deal with something like that?” someone said.

“I knew we should have contacted Humusi,” another voice added.

Aban Saddi hesitated. “No use second-guessing ourselves. We have to do something about this. Now. Come!”

The Head Mage began running, and everyone followed, though he was significantly faster. They went down a set of stairs, across a hall to another balcony. As they burst out into the open, Xerxes heard several gasps of alarm. He almost joined them, but managed to keep his mouth shut.

Looming near the city wall a quarter-league away, partially obscured by the dust clouds and smoke, was a hulking creature that made all the Abhorrent he’d seen up to this point seem like childrens’ puppets. This beast was thrice as tall as any of the surrounding buildings, and looked like an ape with an elephantine head, except with three trunks and six tusks that curved up into sharp points. It was covered with long, reddish fur, as well as a cloud of what looked like flies, although given the distance, Xerxes guessed they might be bats or birds.

“Holy Pontifarch,” Seer Fale breathed.

The gigantic Abhorrent roared a third time, then crouched briefly before launching into a jump. It sailed high, above the tops of the rooftops, giving everyone a view of its clawed appendages before it smashed into a building. The structure collapsed, sending up more dust and debris into the clouds that already hung over the city.

“That jump is probably a power,” Gandash said. “Something that big shouldn’t be able to do that.”

“How do we fight it?” Ninsunu said, her voice deep because of her transformation.

“W-we…” stammered Aban Saddi, “we….”

“Have Colonel Nur-Ayya set up the ballistae to the top of the keep,” Gandash suggested.

A shadow of a grin appeared on Xerxes’ face, despite the gravity of the situation. That’s right, Gandy, you tell them what to do.

Maybe all of his friend's hours spent reading magical textbooks and military treatises would finally come in handy. The fact that someone as young as Gandash was so collected seemed to act like a splash of cold water to the face of Aban Saddi.

“Right,” he said. “Have the Colonel array ballistae and archers on the keep. Seer Gandash, can you see to that?”

“Absolutely,” Gandash said, and he raced off.

“Nasaru mages should be with the ballistae,” Aban Saddi continued. “Send them—”

“Alwin was our only Nasaru mage,” Fale interrupted.

“Fuck!” the Head Mage cursed. “Sinitu and Asgagu won’t be of much help against something that massive. And we lost our only Balatu mage before all this started.”

“Sir,” Xerxes said, “you are probably our best weapon.”

“That’s right.” The Head Mage thought for a moment before setting his jaw. “In that case, the course of action is obvious. Ninsunu, Xerxes, Ataneedusu, you’re going to be my escorts. No soldiers, they’ll just slow us down. We’ll go through the streets and try to remain unseen. Get as close to that thing as possible. Maybe Farland Bridge. Or Deer Park. I’ll cast Abhorrent Duo. If we’re lucky, it might only be a low-level juvenile, in which case I’ll be able to summon something of similar strength. Everyone else, support Gandash and Colonel Nur-Ayya. Let’s go.”

He started running, not waiting for any word of confirmation. Xerxes followed, as did the other mages who had been mentioned.

Of course, the Head Mage was a Mystic, and had a much greater top speed than Seers or High Seers. But he set a pace that allowed all of them to stay close. They sped out of the keep, through the gates, into the city streets, and straight toward the massive Abhorrent.

Despite all of the insane things that had happened in the past few days, Xerxes almost couldn’t believe he was doing this. Running toward a building-sized monster that could probably kill him casually?

If you want everyone to believe you’re worth being a mage, you have to do this.

Another roar swept through the streets, and they were close enough this time that it hurt Xerxes’ ears. Then he saw a blur of motion as the Abhorrent again jumped into the air before crashing into another building. This time, it was only a few blocks away, and Xerxes felt the ground shake as the creature landed.

“Deer Park is that way!” Aban Saddi said. “That’s where I’ll cast my spell.”

He veered to the left, and Xerxes and the others followed. They ran down half a block, sped through an alley, then sped across more paved streets before bursting into an expanse of green grass and spindly trees.

From here they had a perfect view of the gigantic Abhorrent some several blocks down. It was breathing heavily, its fur undulating either from the wind or the movement of its own body. It was now possible to see that it was surrounded by a cloud of flying creatures that looked like a mix between spiders and bats. Just barely, Xerxes could make out a noxious stench.

The Head Mage pulled out a vial, popped the cork, and poured the contents into his palm. Xerxes wasn’t sure exactly what the component was, but like all Buhhu components, its foundation was Abhorrent blood. It stank, but the smell was different from the blisterscale reduction Gandash had used.

Before Aban Saddi could start tracing out the Buhhu Sebum rune, Xerxes noticed something off to the side. Movement. Paleness.

He looked over to see a many-legged Abhorrent spawn in the shadows of a nearby alley.

“We got company,” he said, entering the Skyward guard stance with his sword.

Aban Saddi looked over. “It’s only a single one. Cover me while I cast the spell.” He put his right finger above his left palm.

Xerxes kept his eyes on the Abhorrent spawn as he took a step toward it. Compared to the larger females he’d fought, or the gigantic furred creature ahead, this thing didn’t scare him. Cut it badly enough, and it would die.

He took another step toward it.

“There’s another over here,” his father said. “No, two.”