Category : Stories

Sub Category : Fantasy

A quick note from the author:
Okay, so here we go with the final chapter. It is three times my usual post but I have decided that I don’t want to draw this out. This story has been an emotional journey for me. I lived the lives these characters led. I feel thier pain and thier joy.
For those of you who have silently enjoyed this journey I encourage you to comment here on how this ends and what you felt about the story as a whole. Thank you for taking the time to read along as I wrote.
Enjoy. Thomas.
The long breath he takes is his first in weeks. The warm summer air tastes wonderful; too bad there is no time for any of that. Taylor leaps to his feet, standing for the first time since this thing began. A glance over his shoulder tells him he has one thing to do before he leaves.

The Queen deserved better despite how she had treated him. In the end she had made a choice that cost her everything. A choice that had to be made but so few would have the courage to make. Now her cursed was about to lead an army of demons and scourge the world and no one knew but him.

Quickly Taylor undid the binds and lowered her to the ground. ‘At least this is more respectful’ he thinks to himself as he leaves to flee the hill. ‘When this is all over we will return for you.

The claw in the sky looked menacing from directly below. The thing looked like it was sucking light into it. Somehow the thing had a grip on the edge of the portal and was trying to make the hole larger. There's only one thing left to do, run.

Taylor begins his flight down the hill towards the now disorganized force below. Somewhere among them was Eve. There's nowhere else she would be. Taylor was definitely not giving up but there's no way he wanted to face this without seeing her one last time. 

Reaching the bottom and not missing a step he crossed the first side of the round a bout. Hopping up onto the grassy center a sudden flash of light abruptly halts his progress.

Scrambling to a halt Taylor suddenly becomes overwhelmed with excitement. In front of him, standing at almost six feet tall, is a fox woman. Her slender physique accentuated by strong muscular features. Three furry tails tipped with white fur complete the look. “Are, are you a Kitsune?” he asks barely containing his excitement.

“What kind of game is this Hunter?” she asks coldly leveling her weapon. Several other subs notice her and start running towards the small hill.

“Hunter? Oh I suppose I look like one don't I?” Taylor asked surprised by his own attire. “Look, Michael was in charge of this body until like five minutes ago; I didn't get to choose the outfit. I am not a Hunter, actually I’m a cursed.

“A cursed?” she asks as a few more Kitsune arrive. 

“Yeah, I know it sounds kinda bad but I am kinda like a betrothed or something to Eve. If you could take me to see her she-"

“So that's your plan! You expect me to take you to another muse so you can kill her too? I should kill you where you stand. Instead we are going to let the Queen determine your fate. Restrain him.”

“Look, I am not going to resist or anything but you do realize that Michael just killed the Queen right?”

“No, the elders have protrcted her since we arrived here. The Hunters didn’t get close to her.”

“Alright I am not going to argue with you, as long as you take me to someone in charge I really have to warn them.”

“Warn them about what?”

“You don’t even believe I am not a Hunter, why would you believe anything else I say?”

The tall Kitsune huffs at the comment and turns to one of the others. “Go tell the Queen we are bringing a prisoner to her, the rest of you watch this one carefully.”

One of the Male Kitsune roughly presses Taylors arm behind his back and forces him onwards. The main gathering of people ahead starts looking in thier direction. Walking in silence the only sounds heard are the whispering from the subs as the group walks past.

Various Kitsune glare with snarls on their face while the sparse winged people refuse to even look at him.  Close to their destination stands a group of very large muscular people with very angry demeanors about them.  Taylor made a very specific effort not to look in their direction.

Just beyond the large people Taylor was amazed to find a small group of people he recognized. “Hey wait a second, are those Naga’s?”

“Be quiet and keep walking!”

“Wait, I just need to know if they lost all their leaders or not.”

One of the Naga slithered up angrily and towered over Taylor. “You know exactly what happened to our leaders scum!”

“Actually I only saw one, ma’am. I was hoping that Michael was exaggerating about the others.”

The towering green scaled creature turned a shade of red and grasped Taylor by the shirt and hefted him above the gathering crowd forcing the Kitsune to release his grasp. “Where is she!?” it bellowed.

“Michael had her killed after she killed two Hunters trying to escape. I am sorry to have to be the one to tell you.”

“That is tragic news, but let's not kill the messenger just yet.” comes a new female voice to the scene.

Taylor looks to the source of the sound and smiles at the sight. “Mel!”

“That depends on if it’s Michael or Taylor asking.”

“Michael got sucked up into that hole in the sky thing.”

“Well, Eve will determine if that is true.”

“Oh thank god she is here. I desperately need someone who will listen to me. These guys were taking me to see the Queen, but I don’t see how when Michael killed her to open the hole in the sky thing.”

“You seem to enjoy delivering bad news. At least now we know for sure my mother is dead.” Mel says looking suddenly distraught.

“Oh, uhh, I guess I didn’t think that through.  I wish I had more time but this whole thing is really urgent and I have to speak to someone in charge right away.”

Mel quickly composes herself again. “That would be me.”

“You're the Queen? Oh that makes perfect sense! Of course your the Queen!”

Mel clears her throat. “Ahem, urgent matter.”

“Oh right. Michael figured out that most regular people are to some degree a dreamer like me.  Which makes them subs, which means that killing them will help open the portal for bigger beings to get through. That big lightning storm thing was just a way to get everyone's attention.  With the storm gone people will swarm the area to find out what happened. He is going to attack them then. It's going to be a massacre because by the time he attacks you're all going to be under arrest.”

“What do you mean they are mostly dreamers?”

“That's your most important question? Fine, after Michael, the First Hunter, massacred the dreamers and killed them all in their village the Queen orded his execution. What the Queen never told anyone though, was that soon after his execution a large group of wandering dreamers came to find the village of their kind.  To protect them from the likely persecution by the rest of the subs and Michael she instructed them to join the normal population and lead normal lives. When she told Michael about this she estimated that most ‘normal’ people will have at least a little dreamer blood.”

“Well, that actually makes a lot of sense, we just need a plan.”

“I have the perfect plan your majesty.” comes a new male voice.

“Cye!” Mel exclaims.

“We have to move quickly.  All Valkyries to the roof of those buildings over there.  Stay in cover until they attack. Nagas, the sewers is the only place I can hide you unfortunately. Everyone else use your ability to conceal yourselves as people and spread out around the outside of the commons.  Stick to your battle groups and cooperate with the authorities as best you can until the attack. When they come, protect them as best you can and do what you do best.”

“That's perfect! Spread the word, make it happen.” Mel proclaims. “Cye, I want you close to me.”

“Thank you for believing in me.” Taylor says as the crowds disperse.

“There is no way the First Hunter could fake being as awkward as you are. Eve should be here any second.”

“Taylor?”

Taylor snaps his head to look in the direction of the new voice. “Oh god it's finally you!” he shouts rushing towards Eve.

She hesitates a moment looking at her sister.  Receiving a simple nod she lets herself embrace the moment and leaps into his arms. “You had me convinced you were going to kill me you idiot.”

“You and you're mother were the only one who believed it.  I did it to protect you from what he could do, but now only you can reverse it. You will figure it out, but we don’t have time to talk about it the sirens are almost here. You're majesty, Cye, I need you to come with us so I can explain the next part of this.”

“Wait, I thought we defeated all the Hunters?” Eve asks.

“That's what they want us to think.  As soon as this place gets more people they are going to attack and it's going to be a mess, that's why I need you.”

“I get me, I am a soldier. The girls are not really combatants.” Cye interjects.

“You’re here because you are a soldier, but more importantly, you're her cursed.  That connection is critical.”

“You have a cursed now Mel? When did that happen?”

“It kinda just happened.”

“Eve, dear, not right now okay? Did you guys ever wonder why the muse were Queens and no one ever objected? Your power has a passive effect on all subs around you.”

“How in the hell do you know something about our powers we don’t?” Mel asks, doubt and anger in her voice.

“I know what Michael knew about them, therefore I know most of what your mother did. What I am about to find out however is the limit. You need to focus your ability to inspire on everyone around you until you feel a connection to them.”

“Everyone? Are you nuts?”

“No, listen. If you inspire them without taking, when they die you can harness their energy instead of letting it go through that hole. When you do that you use your connection to us to send that energy so we can use it to defeat the First Hunter.”

“Taylor, I have only ever beaten the First Hunter when his age got the better of him.  You have to training, nor are you physically better than a human.”

“I will be when Eve takes a soul from a sub.”

“Taylor, we can't take energy from subs"

“Actually, we only just found out we can. It’s complicated, but its possible.” Mel answers

“Simply put dear, if you take energy from a sub you take it all.  When you do their power goes with it. You can then give that to us.”

“Yeah, I used it on an ogre before giving it to Cye.”

“Your mother used it on an elf and gave it to Michael. Girls, you must focus on the task and forget the boundaries you think you know.  Things are going to get very bad and the subs will be relying on you to help them.”

“I don’t-"

“You CAN Eve, I am right here protecting you. Start with those people over there.”

More sirens begin to arrive and people start to enter the streets curious about the strange darkness in the sky. “Wait, you were right I can sense more than one. How far can I-? By the gods Mel, how many subs did you bring?”

“Not even close to this many, and there is more arriving in the vehicles? Taylor what is going on?”

“It’s just like I told you Mel. Their all dreamers, at least in part.  This is why Michael chose here.  He knew you would come, and so would they once the lightning stopped.  Now he has thousands to prey on and likely a new way to hunt. If all these souls get through that hole in the sky there will be no stopping them.”

“There are too many to watch.” Mel says

“Share the work between you, split the area and focus on the best you can do not perfection.” Cye offers.

A large object drops from the hole in the sky and crashes into the ground.  The nearby people look on cautiously. “They're here girls.”

Dozens more of the objects crash down around the area and more onlookers investigate. The third wave arrives directly behind it with a pulse emanating across the sky. A huge number of objects spread across the area.  Onlookers begin to scatter and uniformed officers scramble to keep the public safe.

A fourth wave appears and crashes down.  This time a significantly larger object drops down atop Citadel hill and Taylor and Cye look to each other in understanding.

The two cursed move to be between the large object and the girls and Cye begins to speak. “We won't be able to get past his guard unless we force him to make mistakes.  He has a great deal of experience in close combat so we must rely on our wit. If we can make him angry enough to make mistakes we might be able to win this.”

“You want the big bad boss angry? That I have that in spades. I have mastered irritating him.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” the girls say in unison causing them to giggle.

In the distance the crowd near the first object back away suddenly. A plume of dust rises from the spot then the sound of rapid gun fire and screams.

Quickly the entire area is full of screams and gunfire. 

“Their panicking!” Eve shouts

“Inspire them!” Taylor offers back. Watching as the first eruption of powers spreads across the battlefield.

A sudden surge of energy through his body and a flash of light behind him surprises Taylor.

“Did you get that Taylor?”

“Yes, good job.” Taylor acknowledged without thinking. His attention was committed to the large object on the hill waiting for it to reveal the only target that was going to matter.

“One, no two of those things just went down.  I can’t capture their essence.” Mel says.

“That’s fine, I don't want it anyways.” Cye says grumbling just before a light flashes behind him.

“I think I found Kei, she is protecting a large group of subs from some creatures.”

“She is the least of my worries.”

The large object finally begins to stir and reform.  Parts peel out and form legs of some kind with a central part slowly rising. From a distance it is difficult to determine more than basic shape but it is much larger than an average human.

The creature stands to two legs before moving down the hill.

Behind Taylor a flash of light and a new surge of energy causes a new sensation in his body. Electricity arcs gently over his body and a quick glance behind shows a semi transparent tail behind him.

The flashes of light also draw the attention of the large creature and it immediately begins to run towards them knocking one of its own out of the way in its charge.

“Looks like he-” a surge of energy interrupts Cye “found us. Remember, don't try to get past his guard.”

“Make him screw up, got it.” A new surge of energy has him feeling suddenly lighter than usual. The beast charges at them closing the distance quickly.

The ground shakes as the creature makes his final approach. It’s size now appearing to be twice the size of a human. The creature leaps into the air and crashes heavily onto the ground close to the foursome. It's heavy landing sprays rocks in all directions, forcing them to scramble.

The towering creature is humanoid in form though hunched over slightly with what could only be described as obsidian flesh. Two yellow eyes peer down at him closely.

“Dad! Here I was thinking I was never going to see you again.  How were things in the giant sphincter in the sky?”

“I am not your father you miserable shit! I am the end of your world!” the creature bellows slamming its pointed arm into the ground, Taylor easily dodging the attempt.

“Again with the really long impractical titles. Why do bad guys do that? Can't you come up with something short and precise like Obsidian? How about ‘The Darkness’? You're really bad at picking names.”

Another arm sweeps wide at him and Taylor adeptly backflips out of the way. The move allows him to see Cye dodging tentacle like appendages while looking for an opportunity.

“Hey dad! Are you taking it easy on me because you love me?” Taylor says as a few new surges of energy come and a new tail appear.

The tentacles whip over its head as the creature roars with rage and crashes its hands into the ground missing Taylor again.

Summoning the power of his new tail and the existing one Taylor spews forth a spout of fire and lightning into the enraged face of the creature.

Unaffected, the giant swings again with its massive arms then roars in agony. Surging upwards the creature knocks Cye from his back and turns around. 

It seems to have a moment of clarity and surges its tentacles towards a new target.

Taylor races to protect Mel from the onslaught hoping to put himself between them. A sudden blur and it was no longer Mel, but Cye where she stood and the tentacles sweep him up easily.

Instinctively Taylor summons a ball of fire and electricity and hurls it towards the creature hoping to distract it. Instead the tentacles tense up and pull Cye apart horrifyingly.

Mel screams in agony at her loss and breaks her concentration. Tears flow like rivers as she backs away desperately trying to make her legs work.

Another more distant screech rings out.  This one more shrill than Mel's, accompanied by what seems like hundreds.

A swarm of winged creatures take flight towards the massive creature as it carelessly tosses to corpse to the ground. Turning to face Taylor again it grins in satisfaction. “Your time is up now. We will erase the disgusting blight of subs on humanity with your death, and there is not a thing you can do-"

The rant is cut short as a pair of talons painfully grasping its shoulder. Another pair immediately grasps the other shoulder. Talon after talon grasps tightly onto hardened creature flesh.  The flyers flap their wings chaotically pulling the giant in different directions. Tentacles try to rip the creatures away but soon the flyers have them in thier sharp talons.

“Eve you have to give me something more I can't hit him hard enough.”

“I can’t there are none dying.”

Suddenly from behind Mel a large fox with eight tails leaps into the mix and releases a terrifying blast of electricity from its mouth. Beside it another fox lands and unleashes a torrent of water. A blast of white fire sears the flesh of the creature from behind as screeching winged creatures scramble out of the way. More and more streams of energy Taylor cannot identify blast him and still it does not stop, barely slowing down.

“Individually each of us is not enough, give us to him, it's the best chance we have.” a purple fox who has not used her power yet tells Eve.

“No! Your still alive; You can still fight.”

“We have lived our lives, save the youth. Do it!”

“What could possibly happen? It’s not like I am going to get sucked up into that sphincter in the sky or anything.”

“That's exactly what- oh wait! No Taylor, you're not doing this to me again!”

“We don’t have a choice, they will not stop and those winged people cannot hold him for long!”

“I- I love you Taylor, please come back to me.”

“I love you too.” Taylor says as the streams suddenly stop and a massive surge of energy enters his body.

“Wait! You didn't promise you will come back.” Eve shouts after him as he jumps towards the swirling melee around the creature.

“I don’t think he believes he can keep that promise.” Mel says gently to her sobbing sister.

Taylor ignores his heart and summons all the strength he can muster. With a final breath in he channels it at the wound Cye had given the creature.

The white hot energy pierces through the beast and launches it into the air towards the hole it came from. The blast knocks down the winged creatures before they can get clear.

Leaping after it he grasps hold of the creature and unleashes another blast, this one reflecting outwards towards the various battles below finding the other creatures still fighting.

The final effort launches the dying creature back into the hole it came from.  The release took every ounce of energy and as Taylor's eyes closed he watched the wretched creatures being drawn back up where they came from.