Chapter 94 (1/2)

The troop of Cyclops crashed forward, ripping the trees up by their roots. Thick thorny vines snaked under their feet, sliding up their feet and knocking them off balance.

Decklan flashed forward, arriving at the Cyclops’ neck in a second. He slashed twice, once on the jugular, once on the eye, and then took a spike as long as his forearm from his ring and drove it into the Cyclops heart.

The thing staggered, shocked and weakened by its lifeblood pouring away. Thorn picked up its feebly struggling body and threw it at two other approaching cyclops, knocking them to the ground. Terra and another member of his squad leapt forward, making several deep cuts into the fallen duo, and then retreated. Thorn then picked up those bodies and threw them around, knocking even more to the ground.

With a roar, another wave of cyclops arrived, ripping away the ever dwindling trees that hid Decklan’s squad.

Again and again they struck, and more and more cyclopses fell, but there were still a huge number of them. Their high level meant dealing a killing blow was difficult, even with them distracted by Thorn. Blood pumped out of their wounds, but still they staggered to their feet, their single eye burning with hatred.

But Decklan just tightened his grip on the knife given to him by the Ghosthound and rushed forward. That dagger was hot, and seemed to be hungry for flesh. Decklan planned to feed it. After all, nothing was ever accomplished by complaining about a problem. You had to stand straight and face it.

Or in this case, kill it.

*****

Paolo, the individual who obtained the class Brawler, current leader of Squad I, cracked his knuckles. After removing the bone equipment made by Sam to signify his position from his ring and putting it on, Paolo turned and grinned over his shoulder at the rest of the squad.

“Let’s show ‘em why we are the best.”

Kayle, the individual who obtained the class Ranger, current leader of Squad II, snorted. Kayle turned to his squad and said. “Everyone be ready to provide relief when they crack under the pressure.”

“Belay that order Squad II,” Paolo commented. “I out rank your squad leader, and therefore you need to obey me.”

They were moving towards the hastily assemble wall past the quarry, moving at a quick speed. Squads III through VI were assigned to support them, and only a short distance away. Some mid 20s ranked squads were trooping over after that, but they had taken longer to assemble. For something like 10 minutes, Squads I through VI were required to hold the quarry, with Squads I and II at the front.

“Ignore that belay, Squad II,” Kayle said haughtily, drawing his long knives. “Squad I has gone senile with fear. It seems it falls to us to lead the charge.”

To their surprise, they were beaten to their location by the enemy. Already a dozen or so skeletal horses had streamed through the shattered gates, rushing towards them.

Paolo snapped the clasp on his bone gauntlets into place. “Squad I, how do we treat insubordinate, inferior squads?”

“Just like enemies!” Then men shouted, breaking into a jog.

“And what do we do to enemies?”

“Kill em good!”

Kayle rolled his eyes, his squad beginning to sprint, weapons drawn. “Squad II, what do we do to enemies?”

“Kill them first!”

Paolo glowered. “Squad I?”

“Kill em’ better!”

Kayle spat on the ground. “Squad II?”

“Kill them now!”

Their lines met the charge of the skeletal horses. Paolo’s fist smashed into the leading horse, shattering its skull to powder. Kayle moved like quicksilver in the night, cutting his horse at the knees, where it collapsed weakly, with another long knife buried in its skull.

****

Regina frowned down at Constance, long, violet lines spreading from his heart to cover his body. Kraig, Kal, and Vivian had them too, but they were nowhere near as bad as Constance’s.