Chapter 24: Taking the Fight To Them (2)

Chapter 24: Taking the Fight To Them (2)

Thats obvious, boy, Satahsusar snapped. I meant what kind. Head Mage?nove(l)bi(n.)com

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 its 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 hed 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 shouldnt 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.

If you want everyone to believe youre 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. Thats where Ill 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 wasnt 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. Its 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 hed fought, or the gigantic furred creature ahead, this thing didnt scare him. Cut it badly enough, and it would die.

He took another step toward it.

Theres another over here, his father said. No, two.