Book 2: Chapter 30: The Blade

Book 2: Chapter 30: The Blade

With the sun setting at my back and a cool breeze tickling my skin, I smiled at the pelican and lobbed the fish into the air.

The bird’s neck craned forward and its beak opened, easily catching the fish within its pouch. It tossed its head twice before swallowing the fish whole.

“What in Acanthis’s feathered form is that?” Theo demanded.

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“You’ve never seen one?”

“I believe it is a pelican,” Ellis answered. “I’ve not seen one either, but I recognize it from a compendium back in the capital.”

“Bingo, mate. It’s a pelican.” I grinned. “And I intend to make it a pal.”

The large water bird peered at us, uninterested in our conversation yet hanging around to see if we had more fish. On seeing there were no more snacks, or perhaps because we were staring at it a little too much, it took flight. Two huge wings beat at the air, and within the span of a few breaths, it was high above, gliding across unseen currents.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Corporal Claws dashed up beside me, resting her forepaws on my leg as she stared up at the pelican’s flight. She let out a dreamy coo..

“It’d be wondrous to fly, wouldn’t it?” I asked, understanding her thoughts.

She gave an affirmative chirp, still watching the bird as it sailed away.

“You flew no longer than an hour ago when you used me as a launch platform, you little shi—” Keith cut off when Claws shot him a warning glance, and he held up both hands defensively. “Er—shining light! I was going to say shining light!”

She walked forward and held out a paw. She pointed at it emphatically, extending it further toward him and raising her chin, somehow looking down at him from the ground. Keith sighed and gave her back the opalescent stone she’d gifted him. I shook my head.

“Claws is a fickle mistress.”

She nodded, grinning as she pocketed the rock and leaped into the water, disappearing without a splash.

***

As the last vestiges of light faded from the sky, Theo hooked a fish.

“O-oh! Fish on!”

I was down at the water, cleaning two mature shore fish that Peter and Keith had already caught. Theo shifted his weight backward as the rod bent almost in half with the fish’s weight. His eyes were alight with expectation, and I couldn’t help but smile. A wide grin split his features, and I kept my eyes pinned to him as I continued removing scales.

“Looks like a big one, mate.”

“Feels like a big one!” he replied, leaning forward so the line didn’t touch the rocks.

The fish took a massive run, each kick of its tail and shake of its head causing the rod’s tip to jerk down. Just before the light left the sky, I saw the flash of silver on the ocean's surface, right by where I was cleaning the fish. While it was the same shape as a shore fish, I raised an eyebrow at the size.

“It-it’s a monster!” Danny roared, his voice tinged with awe.

I leaned forward, hoping for another look. It swam right up before me, but beneath the amethyst sky and dwindling light, I still couldn’t make out what it was. The fish, noticing the rocks—or me, leaning down and having a good peep—tore off with heavy swishes of its tail. As determined as the fish was, Theo was more resolute—and he had the tools to back up his claims. He first let line out, then with calm ease, he wound the fish back to shore, letting it expend energy.

Seeing how exhausted the fish was getting, I grabbed the line with one hand, lifted it, then grasped the fish around the gills with the other. If not for my enhanced body, I’d never have been able to raise it one handed—it was gigantic.

Ancient Shore Fish

Rare

Found along the ocean shores of the Kallis Realm, this fish is a staple source of both food and bait.

“Holy hell, Theo...” I said, my eyes clearing.

I hefted the ancient fish up for everyone to see, and their excited clamoring silenced as their vision went distant.

“Ancient?” Theo asked.

Ellis, ever the reliable sort, started scribbling in his notepad.

“And rare! Age may appear to increase the classification of...” his voice trailed off as it lowered to a mutter.

“What do you reckon, Theo?”

Augustus nodded and gestured for the dignitary to leave them. Aisa bowed at the waist and remained so, waiting for permission to approach.

“Come.”

“Yes, my king.”

She marched forward, stopping right before the throne and standing at attention.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Aisa.”

“Of course, king. I am your blade to wield.”

Her words were curt and clipped, as he knew her general demeanor to be—which was exactly why he called on her to complete this task. Augustus gave her an appreciative smile.

“We find ourselves in dire straits, Aisa—the very kingdom may be at risk. If there was any time for a blade to be brandished, it is now.”

His words had the desired effect; her gaze turned flinty and she set her jaw. Despite her passion, she waited patiently for him to continue.

“If I were to tell you that I believe a number of spirit beasts have awakened close enough to our capital to be a threat... what would you say?”

She chewed her lip for a long moment, considering the statement and question in their entirety.

“If anyone else were to make such a claim, king, I would dismiss them as a fool. From you...” Her eyes grew sharp once more. “I ask their whereabouts, and what your orders are.”

He let his gratitude show, grinning at the answer.

“In that case, I’ll get right into it. Five spirit beasts have awakened, all of which I believe to be nearby.”

He watched her closely, and though the shock was clear in her eyes, determination swiftly returned, banishing any doubt.

“I have a particular target in mind for you,” he continued. “I’ve chosen this target for you to dispatch because of your proven efficacy in dealing with powerful renegade cultivators. Based on the information we have access to, this spirit beast will be the most magically gifted of the threats.”

“Where shall I go in search of this spirit beast, king?”

“I don’t have an exact location, but I believe its most-likely location to be the desert beyond the southern range.”

She nodded.

“How big of a team shall I take?”

“As many as you desire. Due to the threat your target poses, you will have first pick of the collared.”

“Forgive my insolence, king, but may I ask a question?”

He waved her concern away.

“Of course—please do.”

“Thank you, king. Will my sisters also be going on similar missions to eliminate the other threats?”

“They will be, yes.”

“Then I will leave their favored cultivators. Though some are more powerful than my regular team, we will be more effective overall if we take collared whose abilities we know well.”

Augustus leaned back in his chair and sighed, letting his facade of calm assurance drop.

“Thank you, Aisa. As always, I appreciate your insight.” He sat up straight, resuming his regal posture. “Do you have any more questions before you depart?”

“Just one, king: what is the name of my target?”

Augustus straightened further, stretching his spine to its vertical limits. He gazed up at the stained-glass windows for a long moment.

“Remember this name well, Aisa. If not for your intervention, it could go down in the records as the beast that ended the kingdom of Gormona. The name of your target is...”

He locked eyes with her, clenching and unclenching his jaw. Finally, he ground out the name of his dreaded foe.

“Lizard Wizard.”