Chapter 25: Like a Sacrifice (1)

Chapter 25: Like a Sacrifice (1)

Keep them away from me, Aban Saddi said.

Xerxes leapt forward, using a master cut called the Squinting Slash to alter his angle of attack at the last moment and skewer the Abhorrent. It squealed and lunged back, allowing him to bring his sword up again. Then he swung it down in a somewhat inelegant move that clove the creature in two.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

Wrenching his blade out of the gore, he turned to see his fathers right fist glowing brightly as he threw an experimental blow at an Abhorrent.

Aban Saddi was still working on his spell, and Ninsunu stood there with her bestial hands clenched into fists.

His fathers first blow missed, but the second landed, punching a hole into the creatures head area. Meanwhile, the second Abhorrent near his father was circling around to get an angle of attack.

Xerxes dashed toward his father, arrived a moment later and immediately targeting the second spider-like beast. Leading with a kick, he followed with a downward sword strike. The blow wasnt clean, and got stuck in the Abhorrent. When the thing jerked away, Xerxes nearly lost his grip on his weapon.

Slamming his foot into the beast next to where the blade was stuck, he wrenched the sword free and then made a stabbing attack. The creature dropped.

Next to him, his father had dispatched the other Abhorrent.

Dad, look, Xerxes said, gesturing with his chin. Four more of the things had climbed out of nearby alleys. Three were small, like the ones theyd just killed, but one was larger, with the disturbing face-like head.

Were not out of the woods yet, his father said.

Ill take the big one.

Xerxes wondered what the hell Ninsunu was doing just standing around, but there wasnt time to spend too much thought on it. Apparently, Aban Saddi was completely focused on his own spellcasting. Buhhu spells clearly took time to cast.

Xerxes ran to intercept the larger of the incoming Abhorrent, while his father faced off with one of the smaller versions.

Im fine! his father responded.

He saw Ninsunu getting to her feet. Further back, he saw that the cloud of creatures around the Abhorrent was significantly thinner.

We need to move! Xerxes said. In the back of his mind, he realized that Aban Saddis spellcasting had been interrupted. The Head Mystic surely had more spellcasting components on hand, but what about his supply of melam? Buhhu mages needed to expend massive amounts of it to cast spells, and if Aban Saddi had gotten to the final stages of spellcasting before being interrupted, he could theoretically have wasted too much melam to be able to cast another spell.

However, as Ninsunu stood up, Xerxes heart dropped.

The Head Mage, the only Mystic on Mannemid and the strongest mage they had, hung limp in Ninsunus arms. At first glance, Xerxes thought that perhaps the Head Mage had hit his head in the fall, and had been knocked unconscious. But the man had spoken twice after being knocked down.

No, Ninsunu was holding Aban Saddi the way a wrestler would hold an incapacitated opponent. Xerxes had training in martial arts, and though he didnt consider himself particularly proficient in grappling, he knew a thing or two. And Ninsunu was definitely using a chokehold.

Given that she was a High Seer, she didnt have the same level of physical strength and toughness as Aban Saddi. However, the shapeshifting abilities of Sinitu mages could provide an edge in that regard. Besides, a chokehold was a chokehold, and if administered properly, could easily be used by a weaker combatant to quickly neutralize a stronger one.

From what Xerxes could see thats what was happening here.

Nina he said, unsure of what was playing out.

Ignoring him, she bounded forward three steps, then planted her foot and leaped into the air, sailing up to stand on the rooftop at the end of the park.

Ninsunu raised her voice and shouted, Ya sath Syhahlwnafhoth!

The words meant nothing to Xerxes, but the mere sound of them caused a chill to run down his spine.

Theres no way, he thought.