Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Draven was asleep in the hidden shack while he was woken suddenly. He looked over at the door to see that Hunter returned. Draven sat up from the bed. “You’re back.” he said. “What did you get?” he asked. Hunter looked over at him. “Exactly what I said I’d get, a radio, food, drink, and.” he paused, reaching into the bag with the items in it. He pulled out a book and tossed it to Draven. He caught it, turning it around to look at the cover. It read The Trooper. Draven looked surprised. “I remember this story. I read it about 2 years ago.” he said. Hunter began setting the items down. “Well, you’ll need something to keep you busy.” he remarked. Draven noticed that even more flesh had formed, and skin began covering his arm. He decided not to say anything about it. “Thanks.” he said. Hunter looked over, surprised at his response. He slowly looked back at the bag, continuing to unpack. Once he got everything out of the bag, he handed Draven a can of pesk soup. Draven looked up at Hunter. He nodded his head in assurance. Draven understood, and began opening the can. “There’s a spoon over on the counter.” He said. Hunter began heading for the door. Draven looked over at him. “Where do you think you’re going.” he asked. “I’m leaving. It's you who Battery’s after, so I should be fine going out. Besides, I can find out if his army is close or not, so really, I’m benefitting our chances of getting out of this.” he explained. Draven rolled his eyes and went back to the can of pesk soup. Hunter left the shack. He did not tell Draven why he would leave. At least, not the real reason as to why. He really left because he was going to find Polaris and Aza.

Polaris decided to go to the village of Houssmead. The village was home to the friendliest people on the planet. Surely he could get some food or drink here. He entered the village to be met with only a small shop of trinkets and a single shack. He wondered why the village was like this. Maybe Battery scared them away. Maybe it was just false advertisement. He decided to go to the trinket shop. “Hey, you. What happened here? I thought this village was prosperous. Where did everyone go?” he asked. The shopkeeper looked depressed as he answered. “Everyone left ever since Battery invaded. They were scared for their lives.” he said. Polaris looked down at the ground. “I’m sorry for what happened. Can you tell me who still lives here?” he asked. “Just me and a guy named David. He said he’ll never leave this place as long as he has ‘the scripture’. The guys a loonie anyways, I’d recommend you stay away from him.” he answered. Polaris understood. “I feel bad asking this, but do you have any food or drink with you? Ever since Battery invaded, me and my wife lost our house and have lived in the woods ever since.” Polaris said. He was great at lying. It was almost a hobby to him. Of course, he didn’t care about their well being. All he wanted was to keep Aza and himself alive. The shopkeeper gasped. “Oh my god. I’m so sorry, here, I’ll show you where we keep what food we have left.” he walked towards the shack. Polaris followed behind him. He opened the door to the shack, unveiling many loaves of bread and canisters of water. “Please, take as much as you want.” he said. Polaris nodded his head in thanks. He grabbed two loaves of bread and three canisters of water. He put the water in his bag and thanked the shopkeeper. They don’t call them friendly for nothing. He thought to himself. He began to return to the clearing in the forest. It took him only an hour to get back. He was nearing the clearing when his heart almost sank into his chest. He began running towards the clearing to see if his eyes were deceiving him. He made it to the clearing, and his horrors were confirmed. Aza was gone. Not a piece of her left behind. He began wondering what could have happened. Maybe she ran away after seeing Battery’s army or something. But before he could find an explanation, Polaris would get his answer as to why she wasn’t there. A stick cracked behind him. Polaris’ ear flinched. A person wearing a cloak and garbs covering his face lept from the forest. They pulled a sword from their back. It was crudely made, borderline rusting around the edges. Polaris spun around in reaction. He reached to pull his sword from his back. But he had forgotten that it was left in the rubble of Kravero. Looks like he’d have to fight with his bare hands. The assassin’s attack was slow and easily dodged. Though it acted as nothing but a distraction. A second assassin, this time wielding two short daggers, again crudely made, stormed his back, going for a stab through his abdomen. Polaris seemed to already know this. He grabbed at the daggers. As the blade slid through his hand, they made large gashes into his palm. He began to bleed heavily, though it was better than being fatally wounded. He ripped the daggers from the assassins arm and attacked the first assassin, for they were still recovering from their leap. He slashed across their chest with one blade, and stabbed through their neck with the other. As the first assassin began gagging on his own blood, the second assassin retreated from behind Polaris. Polaris looked over at the second assassin. They pulled a horn from their pocket and began blowing into it. Not long after, Polaris threw the daggers at their chest and head. Though he knew this was not the last of them. He could hear the flutter of feet from the forest. The sun began to lower in the sky. Everything was starting to become dark. Polaris knew that if night came, he would have the disadvantage. Three more assassins came from the forest. One wielding a misshapen scythe, while the other two wielded simple short swords. The assassins with the swords attacked him first. One aimed to plunge the blade through his heart, while the other aimed to slice across his stomach. Polaris didn’t flinch as they dashed towards him. The assassin that aimed to plunge came first. Polaris knocked the blade away moments before it penetrated him. He took his hand and stuck two fingers into the assassins nostrils. He lifted them off the ground before grabbing at the side of their head. He sent his hand up farther into his nostrils, and with enough power, his claws protruded from the bridge of his nose. With the hand still on their head, he ripped the claws across their head, slashing their face open. The second assassin was nearing. Polaris simply threw the body at him. The assassin fell to the floor. Polaris grabbed the first assassin’s blade from the floor and walked over to the assassin on the ground. They were still recovering from the impact the body made. Polaris pressed his foot down on their chest. The claws from his feet pierced their skin. They gasped for air, and started to grab at his foot. Polaris took the blade and slashed at their neck, tearing their artery completely open. Only one assassin remained. Polaris looked up at them, surprised to see they remained standing the entire fight. The assassin laid his scythe to the side of his body and shook his head. “Sloppy.” they said. They were mocking him. Polaris grinded his teeth together. “We’ll see what you say when I’m done with you.” he responded. Before Polaris could get near them, they had already snuck behind him. Polaris looked over his shoulder. Impossible. No one can move that fast. Before Polaris could react. They plunged their scythe through his chest. Polaris looked down at the blade piercing his chest. He was astonished. How could he lose so easily after beating four assassins in a row with ease. They removed the scythe from his chest. Polaris fell to the ground. “You’re coming with me now.” They said. The assassin grabbed at his foot and began dragging him out of the forest. Polaris looked up. The bread meant for him and Aza lay on the snow covered ground completely soaked in blood. Polaris looked up at the assassin dragging him away. Polaris reached into his satchel and pulled the pocket watch from inside. “Hey you, look down here.” he said. The assassin looked down at Polaris. “Keep your mouth shut, you’ve already lost. Have some honor.” they said. “I didn’t lose, all I need is to try again.” he said. He pressed down on the button of the watch. Time began reversing back to before he fought the scythe assassin. “Sloppy.” they said. They were mocking him. Polaris began to grind his teeth. “We’ll see what you say when I’m done with you.” the assassin had seemingly teleported behind Polaris. Of course, he already knew this was going to happen. Before the assassin could strike him with his scythe, Polaris kicked up the sword from the ground, grabbing it. He spun around, knocking the assassin in the head. They staggered, and before they could recover Polaris had already sunk the sword into their heart. They fell to the floor with ease. Polaris wiped the blood from his clothes. The battle is over. He thought to himself. Polaris then realised why he was fighting them. He still needed to find Aza. He started to run before being stopped. “Not so fast, wolfslayer.” A person spoke from behind him. Polaris’ body was frozen in place. Polaris tried to move, but found himself paralyzed. Polaris began wondering who this could be. Polaris than realised who it was. He started breathing heavily, grabbing at his heart. He was having a heart attack. “Don’t be so worried wolfslayer, all I have is a question for you.” They said. Polaris’ body was lifted into the air and spun around. Polaris finally saw who it was that froze him in place. They wore a large chestplate and leggings. Black spikes protruded from the shoulders and calves. A large cape danced with the wind behind them. Their red skin seemed to glow in the night. The black hair atop their head was long and spiky. Horns came from their head. Polaris began to go into shock. He couldn’t breath. Who could keep calm in a situation like this. Frozen in place, completely at the mercy of the man he feared for years. This person was none other than Battery. Polaris’s eyes were swimming in tears. He began to silently sob to himself. Battery scoffed. “Pathetic to see a wolfslayer cry just at the sight of me.” he said. He walked closer to Polaris. Each step seemed to make the earth shake. Polaris closed his eyes and turned his head away from him. Battery stopped only inches away from Polaris. “If you give me the answer I want, I’ll return the girl.” he said. Polaris slowly returned his head to face Battery. He stuttered with his words. “Wh-what’s the qu-question?” he asked. Battery smiled, revealing sharp fang like teeth. “Where is Draven hiding?” he asked. Polaris froze. “I don’t know.” he answered. Battery chuckled to himself. He continued laughing. Polaris didn’t know what to do. He began laughing with him. Now they were both laughing for what seemed like no reason. Suddenly, Battery stopped laughing. He reached behind him, pulling a dagger from his back. The metal was completely black. It shined with what little light remained in the sky. The hilt looked like small bird wings, and the blade had a slight curve to it. He held it to Polaris’ neck. “ANSWER ME!” he shouted. Polaris recoiled, sniffling. “Where. Is. DRAVEN!” he asked. “I don’t know! Please! Believe me!” Polaris responded. Battery sighed. “Such a shame that I have to do this.” he said. He flicked his wrist slightly. Polaris felt his arm move on its own. His arm twisted behind his back, breaking the bone. Polaris screamed in pain. Battery looked away in a sympathizing way. “I’ll ask one more time.” he said softly. “Where is Draven?” Polaris began crying aloud. Battery shook his head is disappointment. “PATHETIC!” he said. He released his hold on Polaris. He fell to the floor. Battery walked over to the corpse of one of the assassins. A dagger lie on the ground. He picked it up and examined it. “This blade is almost as useless as you.” he said. He threw the dagger at Polaris’ chest. Polaris reached for the dagger. It pierced deep enough to the point where he couldn’t pull it from himself. He became weaker and weaker with each second passing. Battery walked past him. “You’ll rot here, and when the skeleton comes looking for you, he’ll know he made a grave mistake leaving Draven alone.” he said. Polaris was shocked. How could he know? Even he didn’t know where he was. Battery laughed. “Oh wolfslayer, the reason I know is quite simple, I’m more aware than a simple ape or mangy mutt.” he said mockingly. Battery grabbed a small circle object from his pocket, throwing it onto the ground. A portal opened to Battery’s kingdom. “I’ll see you around, wolfslayer.” he said before walking into the portal. Polaris felt the blood dripping from his chest. He lie on the ground facing the sky. His vision slowly faded away as he lost consciousness. It would be a long time before someone found him.