Chapter 25: Like a Sacrifice (2)

Chapter 25: Like a Sacrifice (2)

What did she just say? his father asked.

Snapping out of his reverie, Xerxes looked over and realized that the small Abhorrent which had been closing in on them were currently standing motionless.

He looked back at Ninsunu on the rooftop. She was now holding Aban Saddi up in front of her, with one hand around the back of his neck.

Beyond her, the massive Abhorrent was merely staring, presumably at Ninsunu.

She just spoke the language of the Abhorrent, Xerxes said.

What? Ataneedusu blurted.

The reality of the situation hit Xerxes like a wave of cold water. Shes a cultist, he said. He wasnt sure exactly how he knew, or how it even made sense. But it was the reality of the situation.

By the Monad, his father murmured.

Meanwhile, the gigantic Abhorrent responded to Ninsunu in the same language shed just spoken. However, its voice was so deep and resonant that Xerxes felt like his bones vibrated in response. Of course, he understood none of the words, although he was half-sure he heard melam.

Ninsunu spoke in response, beginning a short conversation. A moment later, the Abhorrent around them stirred.

We have to do something, Ataneedusu said. If Ninsunu is a cultist, and she has Aban Saddi.

But do what? Xerxes asked. He glanced at the nearby Abhorrent, who were still motionless. Neither of us is strong enough! And we cant make ranged attacks.

His father reached into his component pouch and pulled out a handful of crabnickel powder. It doesnt matter. We have to do something.

Xerxes shifted stances so that his sword was over his shoulder. I have better range with my weapon. I might be able to take her out before she knows Im coming.

The goal of the most basic sword strike, as Xerxes understood it, was to cleave the opponent in half through the heart. In training, sparring, and combat, an opponent would obviously attempt to block or parry any ordinary strike. But in this case, Ninsunus back was to him.

Theres no way this is going to work, he thought, and he kept himself ready to disengage and attack from a different angle, or perhaps abort the attack entirely.

The fur on the gigantic Abhorrents massive arm rippled as it extended its claws fingers toward Aban Saddi.

Xerxes closed in on Ninsunu.

The Abhorrents fingers wrapped around the Head Mage, but at the same time, its eyes shifted as it seemed to notice Xerxes.

Xerxes blade was inches from Ninsunus neck.

Its not going to work, he thought. She would duck at the last moment, then spin to punch him in the gut. Or lean forward and kick her foot back. Something. She couldnt be so arrogant as to have completely ignored the two Seers behind her. All that wasnt to mention the fact there was a massive monster looking right at Xerxes.

The Abhorrent pulled the Head Mage toward him, and if it did intend to do something about Xerxes, it apparently didnt have time. Xerxes sword hit Ninsunu. It clove through her bestial fur, burying itself into her neck and slicing into her torso.

A spray of blood landed on his face as his sword cut through flesh, muscle, and backed by the immense strength of a Seer bone. He felt the shudder as the steel severed her spine, and continued another inch or two before lodging firmly somewhere in her rib cage. He was fairly certain that, if she hadnt been in her transformed state, he would have cut her clean in half. In any case, she was dead now.

The momentum of his jump kept him going, and he tumbled forward, over Ninsunus corpse, which was already reverting to human form. He lost his grip on his sword in the process and left it behind as he rolled, before skidding to a stop in the rooftop gravel.

Looking back, he expected a queasy feeling to rise from the pit of his stomach at the sight of blood-drenched Ninsunu. Instead, all he felt was disgust. Not at himself, but at her, for speaking the language of the Abhorrents, and for offering Aban Saddi up like a sacrifice.

Aban Saddi.

There was still a chance to save him.

Xerxes turned and looked for the Head Mage.

But all he saw was the giant, clawed fingers of the massive Abhorrent speeding directly toward his own current position.