Book 7, Chapter 46 - The Shepherd Gods Power (1/2)

Book 7, Chapter 46 - The Shepherd God's Power

The people of Fulmulta looked at one another in shock. Such a young and powerful Master Demonhunter!

During his brief time in Skycloud Bruno had heard tales of Frost’s strength, but he didn’t think it reached such heights! From what he saw, even Bruno was unlikely to beat him in a fight without his dimensional daggers.

Charon and Bruno both were part of Stormford’s mighty old guard. They were equivalent to what Sterling and Baldur Cloude had been back in Skycloud, wielding power that was only seen once in every ten thousand demonhunters. And yet this young man had beaten the Commander-General. It was a bitter pill to swallow.

In their shock, the people realized they were even more frightened of Cloudhawk now. Frost de Winter was one of his lieutenants, not even one of the Alliance’s most prominent members. If that were so, what did that say of Cloudhawk’s capabilities?

Dawn’s fists had clenched tight unconsciously as she watched the exchange. Frost was… strong. IF he wasn’t equal to Selene then he was close. At her current strength Dawn did not think she was a threat to him. The blow to her ego cut deep.

Her progress lately had been quick, but it still seemed insufficient. If she wanted to take her rightful place as Cloudhawk’s right hand, if she wanted to earn vengeance for her family, then she had to get stronger.

Power. Power! Power! That was the answer to everything. Power at any cost! Dawn grit her teeth and swore she would achieve her aims.

Cloudhawk gently patted her on the shoulder but said nothing. Any words of comfort were useless, but he wanted to let her know that no matter what, he stood by her side.

“I’m done!” Charon’s gruff voice was bitter but accepting of his defeat. He was helped from the ring.

Frost recovered his weapons and returned to Cloudhawk’s party.

Autumn was next. Without prompting from Cloudhawk she took to the ring. Rising up light as a feather, she presented herself for the contest. In her hands was clasped a small flute. Her pose was comfortable.

Another young, wordless challenger to represent the Green Alliance.

Autumn and Frost were very different. Outwardly she seemed much younger – maybe eighteen or nineteen years old. In contrast to Frost’s cruel detachment she seemed almost nervous. It was hard to imagine that such a sweet young girl could wield the sort of power Cloudhawk promised.

He had Dawn by his side as well as a demon, albeit Abaddon was trying to keep a low profile. Both were clearly strong. So why pass them up in favor of this child? The onlookers saw no logic in his choice. Was she really stronger than the other two? It sure didn’t seem so.

“Allow this old man to give it a try.” Gorman made his way to the ring, electing to put himself forth for this challenge. “You take care, young lady.”

As he said this the High Priest pressed his hands together. Slowly pulling them apart revealed a pyramid rotating in between his palms that glowed with a strange light. A moment later he pushed forward and the shape detonated.

Autumn watched as ten prismatic shards were flung in all directions. They spun through the air, surrounding her.

“What this?” She hurriedly brandished her flute and produced an incisive light.

Clang!

As the slash struck one of the prismatic planes a loud noise erupted. The impact was enough to make the whole Temple shiver. Everyone looked at this young girl with new eyes.

Judging by that move she wasn’t any weaker than Frost.

However, High Priest Gorman was a far sight stronger than his military counterpart. Autumn’s attack failed to shake the prismatic walls encroaching around her. On the contrary, the force of her blow was reflected back toward her.

Her face stiffened. Quickly she raised her flute and used it to deflect the danger. Quite the solid prison she found herself in. Despite using considerable strength, her attempt had left no mark.

Gorman stepped onto one prismatic plane. Like an immortal from a fantasy novel he rose into the air while slowly raising his arms. The prismatic fragments began to move. From within lights sparked to life and a flood of energy emerged. Like a dozen warship attack pylons, they fired toward Autumn. So intense was the onslaught that she feared even the Shepherd’s power was not enough to save her.

Autumn’s current abilities were slightly stronger than a typical Master Demonhunter. However, she was surrounded and locked down by this strange power that cast her attacks back at her. Violent attempts failed to free her, and in fact made her position more precarious.

Autumn brandished her flute, blocking shot after shot from the prisms. But in deflecting one, it just bounced off a prismatic plane and came back toward her in an infinite barrage. Even if Autumn’s defense was watertight, eventually she would collapse from exhaustion.