Killrock 48 hours to Day One descent to Killrock Part 1.2

1.          The Briefing on the Mission

General Carl "The Wolf" Manning adjusted his military tunic that was weighed down on one side with his medal of valors. General Manning, commander of the 1st Division looked at at his senior commanders; Colonel Ludwig of the Ground Infantry Company accompanied by his four officers with the rank of Major, Colonel Jahangir of the Armored Company with his two officers also ranked Major. Then there was the last senior commander of the Intelligence or named as the Recon Company; Captain Malik of the four Horsemen squads.

General Manning then took to the speech part. He hated this part as it means he was sending out his men to perish in some unknown planets before the battle. There was another officer following in his footsteps; an Intelligence Senior, one that does nothing but snoop into every data they can get their hands or mind on.

"Men of the 1st Division, the Wolf had been called on." The nickname for the Division was the Black Wolf. "We are to recover back our rights on a distant mining planet invaded just over twelve hours ago. As we are the nearest ship, we are going in fast and get the task done. The Destroyer would remain in orbit. Advanced squad to secure the landing and then we would go in with the full force. This mission is named Killrock. May the Federation lived forever. "

The officers roared out the same reinforced statement as needed by all that served the Federation. The men are keen to battle as they had completed their refurbishment of the numbers and supplies, and was en-route to join the armada when the call came in.

"Its a hostile planet but breathable atmosphere with some sunshine. The details are on your pad, and we are to takeover back the mining factory and its nearby settlement. Our enemy are the Draconian Regime; cannibalistic miscreants for a race. They been passive for over a century but lately have raided our remote colonies like Selvan VIII. This time we are going back in force."

The General looked at the Senior Intelligence Officer and then introduced him to the Division.

"Captain Dieter would like to add his squads in for some mission of his own. We are to support them." The Division commanders all went quiet. "Baby sitting does not mean they can't die."

That roared up the spirits of the Division but the Senior Intelligence Officer stormed off.

2.          The Squad beef-up their looks.

Squad Leader Basilus Kadir locked in the greave on his right wrist and then test its reaction to his signal from the implant in his wrist. The blade appeared instantly from the greave and then rotate anticlockwise. He then signaled it to retract and pulled on his left greave. This one does not have a blade but it housed the communication unit and onboard personal sensor for information. He then slipped on the shin and thigh guards before pulling on his chest plate which was colored camouflaged to match the color of the terrain on Selvan VIII. There is a processor which they can input in the codes and it would react on the surface it encountered. The plate also covered their dark gray uniform donned beneath it. The insignia of the Scouts are on their left sleeve; and its showed a Kerrin Wolf leaping upwards with the fangs bared. The wolf was one of the feared predator for its relentless and silent attack. The wolf was known to prey on even larger creatures and hunt in a pack. Among the feared ones

The breast plate slipped on over the head would given him cover for his front and back. He strapped on the waist belt which holds the PL450; personal handgun with a mean impact power, on his right side of his belt; the half metre length serrated rectangle blade with a short hilt. His other blade was in his right boot with its six centimeter gut cutter. It has a curved end like a partial hook. He later slipped on the ammo bandelier with the extra ammo clips and various grenades onto his back.

Next he picked was the standard issue PH375 with the extended ammo clip of sixty rounds before he donned on his metal helm with the sides that curved in to cover his cheeks and upper neck. It has the comms builtin to the right side which reads from the greave unit and the mini processor on the left which feeds the greave. The processor powers the display on the visor which covered his eyes and nose. Last component to be put on was the metal gloves with the metal studs.

The Squad Leader punched in the code on the right shoulders and the all the components of the suit come alive. The visor gives out the reading on all components are in working order. He then looked at the members of his squad which are in dressing up like him but some of them would be carrying specialized weapons like the PH750 or the blasted PH500 short barrel shotgun. 

He walked up to Ranger Mira Torre and help her to slip in her chest armor. Their eyes locked for a second before he grabbed Ranger PH375 rifle which was on the floor. He handed it over to her and walked on.

"Leader, do you think I can even up my score of Draconian kills this battle?" In battle, the squad does not addressed their commanders by rank, but nicknamed Leader. Ranger Marc Ante double checked his high power rifle to make sure the grease are well spread out.

"Marc, ten to one you would lose to me." That was the second sniper; Ranger Micheal Durant, a short squat man with a bald scalp which he covers with dark camouflage paint. He said its good for his scalp those cream.

Ranger Ante replied he's on to the bet. Basilus saw the frown on his co-commander Micheal Land with the rank of Sergeant, just before the Ranger put on his helmet. Basilus walked up to him and they hugged each other for support.

"You take half the squad and cover left flank." Basilus gave him the strategy for deployment. "I would have the two newbie. They need some time to get used to us rogues."

Squad Five was also named Rogue Squad as during battles, they tend to go rogue and come back with surprising results. Micheal nodded and looked at his other flankers.

Ranger Andrei Dukov; despite his genetics strain, he was a small man towering below two metres but build like a bull. He is the flankers brawler and nicknamed Wolverine. His younger sister; Ranger Tasha Dukov, diminutive in size but a brawler too like the brother holds the only flame burner unit in the squad. She claims that if not the Ranger, she could had been an arsonist. Her lover and co-Ranger was Kurata Mashi; an eastern descent with penchant to collect Draconian badges so he can sell when off duty. Then there was Ranger Silve Pani, another eastern descent but of a darker shade with the muscles of a runner; he does all the running for messages when comms get disrupted.

The new recruits are Ranger Luke Gareth and Rhonda Winslow. They just being brought in fresh from the training camps, and to be sent to the Rangers mean two things; they are hopeless or they are difficult to manage. But once they are in the Rangers, those who lasted turned out to be the best.

"Ranger Gareth and Winslow, you would stick close to Leader Basilus. If you failed to do so, you would be shot or be killed by the Draconian. Is that understood?" Micheal like to scared them on the first outing. Both the recruits smiled and salute.

Killrock Explained

Killrock is a tale on the 1st Ranger of the Federation. They are like the Rapid Deployment Troops of the armies nowadays. The story revolves on their battle at the this planet named Selvan VIII, and its focus on the Fifth Squad of the Scouts under the Rangers. Its all about battle with the aliens. It was inspired a number of similar tales like the Warhammer Series, The Lost Regiment and others.

That is the brief on the tale and I hoped you liked it.

COTN House of Genoe Part 7

7. Old friends

Malech dismount the Gryphon at his next destination. He can sensed the creature wanting to leave for his own destination. Malech stroke the mane of the Gryphon and whispered to the creature.

"I would be fine here. Go on and I would wait for you." The creature looked to the old sorcerer' eyes and then flew off. "Its your home too."

Malech then looked for the tower entrance to locate the hidden stairs that would take him down to the House of Canaan. As he walked down, he can feel the eerie feeling and thoughts in his mind. He can hear the cries of the innocent and young ones. He also felt the presence of the predators. They are the unwanted ones; the misshapen creatures among the elves. They chose to live in the dark caverns and given passage on meeting them in the caverns.

Malech reached into his robe and withdraw the Oracle. It shone in his hand and lighted up the nearby area around him in this dark cavern. He descended further in until he reached the ground level. He can feel the bones beneath his feet and he chose to ignore them. He can feel the Oracle calling for the lost souls so he searched for a torch. He found one and he lit it with his magic spell. He place the Oracle back into his robe to prevent it form attracting more lost souls. He continued his search for the temple and soon find it. He walked in and close the door on it.

He took out the Oracle again and let it shine again.

"Master Malech, you have come to possess the Oracle again. Its been so long, Master." It was the sound of one of the four non-corporeal form that floated around him.

"Bow before me, Guardian of the Spirits. Bow before the holder of the Oracle, and Master fo the Spells. I command thee now." Malech spoke out in a louder tone to the floating forms.

"You do not scare us anymore, Master Malech. We fear not the Oracle anymore. In fact, the Oracle works for us now. Every time someone uses it, a part of the soul gets sucked out by us." The four floating forms speaks in unison defying the holder.

"Then faced it wrath, you imbeciles" Malech raised the Oracle and spoke out the spell to control the Spirits Guardians. As he speaks the words, the four forms find themselves dissipating by the spell.

"Stop!" The forms pleaded from the Master of Spells. "We heed your command."

They floated before Malech and bowed in unison.

"Tell us your command, Master. We would do as you asked."

"Fly to the four corners of the land. Search our survivors and bring back the warriors to their original Houses before the Nameth Day. Go now as time is of essence."

The four forms floated away leaving the old sorcerer alone in the temple.

"Good show of power there, old friend." Another voice was heard. "I did not expect the Spirits Guardians to heed another when I am truly its Master."

"And creator. I bid you welcome back, Master Artoo." Malech turned to his right to face another floating form but this one is elf like in visual like the ones on his waist belt. "I see that even the Soul World would not accept your soul."

The form known as Artoo was a Grand Sorcerer who was also Malech' master. He was considered the greatest of them all until his untimely demise when he indulge too much into the dark arts. He did not joined them but tried to master them to controlled it. The sphere of balance was not to changed as Artoo was removed from either by forces unknown to all, yet fear by all including wizards and sorcerers. He is what you termed as trap in between dimensions.

"I guess where you are now, do not have any need of change of robes." Malech was commenting of the robe worn by his master. Its the robe that carries the symbol of the Great Sorcerer; one that was never worn by any till today. Not even Malech can claim to such honor.

"I hope it does not smell too badly like my physical body." The form of Artoo sniffed at his robe. "Ever the person with the humor. Malech what made you come here. I know you seek the warriors but please entertain me with the reasons. Unfortunately, in this temple since the massacre of the Canaan, I am without any news."

"Yet you did nothing to stop it." Malech lashed out his master.

"With what, Malech? I am limited in my current form and I have no Oracle then. More to it...... Their wizard is strong. I believe you know him; Netsu by the name. Yes, he had a part in the killing of your love." Artoo smiled in his face to see the anger rising within Malech.

"Say no more, Artoo or I....." Malech have reached for the Oracle but he stopped midway before putting it down. "I am sorry."

"Don't be. I would had loved to be imprisoned in there. Or does it destroy the soul in there. We would never know as none have ever come out again. I was wrong too. I apologies for speaking on your love." Artoo floated around in front of Malech. "I would had offered you a drink but this place is without one since no one came anymore but we can talk. Unless you need one for yourself."

Malech pulled a container out of his robe.

"Good, now we can talk." Artoo sat down on mid air in what may be a seat to him. Malech took his place at a nearby bench. He sat with his legs closed together and his palms on the lap like when he was the apprentice eighty years ago. His voice speaks on the current events but his mind fleet back to the temple in Genoe then.

"Malech, if you want to be great; be it or don't waste my time. I have a lot of other apprentice who is able to appreciate what I am teaching." Malech looked at the broken apparatus on the floor. He is not overly concerned on it but next to the broken apparatus is a small hole which you can see down below. The depth of the sight is getting longer as the liquid seeped through more floorings. "I would appreciate you be more careful with the spells. I cannot resurrect the dead to live again although I could re-animate the living dead."

Malech apologies for the mistake but his master was not able to accept it when the Councilor came in to retort the sorcerer. Artoo did not take it too kindly on the outburst that he threatened the Councilor with dire intents. That ended matter but Artoo decided to take his apprentice on a field trip. They ended up at a waterfall; a beautiful scenic spot with the fauna and flora that patronize the place.

"Malech, I want you to go behind the waterfall and retrieve the idol in there. Since you are my apprentice, I would caution you as there are Guardians there. Nasty ones. Be quick, as I don't want to be late for supper."

Malech checked the waterfall and noticed there is no entrance to go behind it. He then looked at the pond and wondered. He looked up to see Artoo bending over some flowers bed. He did not hesitate as he stripped off his robe and dived in to the pond. At the bottom of the pond, he find the entrance to the back of the waterfall. He crawled on the bottom bed to pushed through the tunnel. He saw the exit and he pushed for it. He surfaced at the back to find himself in a cavern.

"Not another cavern. Why not a hidden land?" Malech sighed and pulled himself out form the water. It was then he saw the cavern was lighted by fire or the sunlight but by some creatures that cling to the walls. They have a luminous body that emits some light. He saw more than that when he see the serpents all around the flooring.

He walked forth and recalled the spell taught by Artoo. He held out his hands and the spell he called on created mist than fire. He chant another spell and this time he got a strong gust of wind instead. It did sweep away some serpents, but that also agitate the serpents.

"Darned!" Malech tried the third time. It worked but he actually emit a high sonic wave which put the serpents off. He ran on into the cavern until he saw the idol on the stone slab. The idol is protected by a large serpent and its impervious to his sonic attack.

Malech concentrate hard and he raised his hand; this time the flames came out and burnt the serpent to its bones. The flesh just melted away and so was the idol as it was made of wood.

He met Artoo on stepping out of the pond.

"I burnt the idol. This is what remain." Malech showed his master the remains of the Idol; a piece of wood with burnt edges.

"You retrieved it. That what matters. More to it, you passed my test. You can perform under pressure." Artoo points to the glass ball on his hand. "I been watching. You would be a great sorcerer one day. "

"Malech, I got your update. You don't have to remind thrice on the serpents. I hate them too. They are the ones who actually can bite me and incidentally also caused my death." Artoo was irritated as all through the years of training, Artoo have expressed that he dislikes serpents. "I killed Set years ago. Or maybe the one I know as Set. Set has always their ego in naming their leader. So the new one could be your brother, Malent."

"However, if he assumed Seti' role, then he must be all powerful like the previous Seti. We must be prepared and above all, be lucky. That in our circle; luck unfortunately does not exist. We just need to create our own." Artoo sighed and looked around him. He is looking for something but he is not telling.

"Artoo, what did you use to defeat Seti then? I need to know. That's why I came." Malech looked at his old master. He knew that there was an enemy named Seti or Set then which was defeated by Artoo. Artoo told him that one day during training; the only foe he almost lost to.

"Artoo, what did you use? A spell? Or a Potion? A weapon?" If Artoo is alive, Malech would had grabbed him by the forearms but he is a floating soul now.

"The..... Celestial Dagger...That was the weapon I used. I stabbed it into its left eye; the all seeing one." Artoo remembered now. "I guess we are alike. We work well under pressure. The Celestial Dagger was destroyed in that war. There may not be another one."

New looks and new posting

Hi all

I just re-designed the page to give it more 'jiffy' look.

I also launched in the new tale; Killrock.

Have a go at the adverts, please.......

Cheers

Killrock 48 hours to Day One descent to Killrock Part 1

48 hours to Day One descent to Killrock

1.          The complement of Federation Rangers 2^nd Division.

The four two hundred thirty thousand of ceramic and metal combined material made up of ninety eight percent of the deep space cruiser series 'Valiant' but the important components are made from than those more than the above; its incorporate other non-metallic materials which are organic designed to heal by itself. The "Pantheon" was the last to be commissioned by the Federation Space Council as it was deemed to too expensive to built and they much prefer the bigger cruiser series 'Abrams' which fit in with the concept of larger deep space crafts that made up of the twenty five armadas. So the Valiant series were transferred to the Federation Rangers; the deep space front line troopers or the ones you sent when the casualty count is too high to be considered acceptable. 

Each Valiant deep space craft was home to a division of the Rangers numbered three thousand strong with armored support and tanks, plus the dreaded Juggernaut Tank which can bring down a city with its ten fold fire power with its sixteen personnels. Each Division have four Juggernaut but the slow heavier tanker lose out to the twin turret tank named the Chieftain or CT in speed for short. These CT's are limited with only twelve units divided into two company. Each CT carries seven Rangers.

The Rangers traveled in armored transporter with the twin barrel rotary guns in the dome cupola while the second set of gun was on the fore hull neat the driver compartment; they named Armored Troops Transporter or ATT in short. Each division would be assigned twenty ATT but three are kept for salvaging of parts. Each ATT can carry an Ranger load of twelve personnels including the driver and gunner.

There are the Light Terrain Transporter or LTT which carry four or five in a squeeze was the bare vehicle structure on a small but powerful engine to carry the Rangers. They are assorted of these and are mostly preferred to the Rangers as in the event they run out of ammo, they can always crash the LTT in a head-on collision.

The last vehicle was the super bike which carry one Ranger for fast attack or recon named Track Speed Bike or Bikes as these scouts travels in packs of four and they come in waves to attack their enemies using the mounted double automatic light rotary guns above their front wheel. There are only four squads of four riders each named as the Four Horsemen.

There are the Infantry which made of the four company of six hundred Rangers each, with three hundred Ranger Scouts and the remaining are the four squad of tank crewmen, medical, logistics and communication crews. The Ranger Scouts are made up of fifteen or ten men squad commanded by Squad Leader with one other senior as co-commander.

Squad Five was one such group with Squad Leader Lieutenant Basilus Kadir as the commander. He had a full squad of eleven Rangers during the descent. 

I shot Lucifer

I felt the presence in the room when I opened my eyes. There he was sitting at the dark corner by my dresser, and holding his head in his hands. He was all dressed in white but he could not fool me with the horns on his forehead. I may be younger but I had Grandpa read me the Bible every night last summer. I knew a demon when I see one.

"When did you get in?" I asked him; well I guess he was a boy. I couldn't really make out his you know what, but he looks like any boy. Okay, I seen it beore although there are not many boys where I am staying. My Science Class did covered that section once.

More to it he looked like Eddie,my brother; all brawny; Mum said that means he's got brain and strong. Poor Eddie died last year due to some sickness. He was five then when I was four. I am five now and that's makes me a bigger girl. I been sleeping alone here in the room since Eddie died. I got to used to it after a few nights with the side light on, but now I sleep in the dark. We lived on a farm with the nearest neighbor more than a walking distance. The neighbors; kids are my only friends here; Paula, Mike and John but they only come over on weekends. I don't really like them; they take all my toys to play and leave them on the floor when they leave. I told Ma but she said its okay. But its never okay when I leave them on the floor by myself. I guess adults are crazy sometimes.

But since last week, he has been a frequent visitor to my room; always after dark and sitting in the corner. He hardly moved from there and only speak when spoken to. That day was was an exceptional.

"I just got in a short while ago. The thunders scared me." The little demon spoke up which broke me from my sleepy thoughts. "Can I come near you?"

He has never approached me before but sit here. I could not make out his expression but he sounded scared. I used to be scared of thunder, but since I became a bigger girl; nothing scares me anymore. Not even when John said he wants to punch me in the face last week.I caught him first for peeking under my dress. I stood up to him and he backed off. Pa told me never to back off from a fight but he does not argue with Ma. I guessed he's scared of Ma too.

"Yes, you can but you sit next to my bed here." I pointed to the flooring next to my slippers. "Ma said I cannot let boys come onto my bed."

The little demon crawled over and sat by the bedding, still holding his chin up with the palm of his hands. He was shivering, so I loaned him my extra blanket and also Teddy. I used to sleep with Teddy, but since I am a bigger girl; Teddy the Bear sleeps alone next to my pillow.

"Here. Hold Teddy. He would tell you that the thunder and lightning are just stupid noises. They don't scare you once you know it." I told the little demon.

"NO!" The little demon shouted out and then he looked all around. He startled me with his shout but now seeing him more nervous made me worried. And scared too.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to shout but you needed to warned." The little demon spoke up. "Lightning and thunders are made by God. He used it scared people like me. If he catches us out there, he would strike us down with the lightning. I seen him do it to some of my friends."

It was then a lightning struck the old oak tree near the house, and followed by the roar of the thunder.It always get struck by lightning.  Little demon cringed up with his feet drawn up to his chest. He had Teddy held tight.

"Let Teddy go. You are suffocating him." I pulled Teddy off the little demon and placed Teddy back into his place next to me. "Here. Hold the baseball bat. That way you can bash up God if he does that again to you. Its not fair for God to bully you in that manner."

"Thank you", The little demon held on the baseball bat I passed to him. "Call me Lucifer. What's yours?"

"Lilith. Everyone calls me Lil. You can call me Lil." I told him before when we met. I am not scared of the little demon; I have Eddie's space gun under my pillow. He would be zap off the planet if I shoot the demon. That's what Eddie used to do when he shoots at those aliens. he told me so then.

We spoke for sometime on everything that was curious to us then; who he's and why he's here. Lucifer told me he was one with the fallen angels and they left Heaven to come here eons ago. They can't go back as they have sinned and are banished here. Since then, they have wandered the place and made their home here. They do get hunted by the believers and punished for deeds not done by them. Some of those crimes attributed to them were done by others in their name, but they get the blame. In the end of his tale, Lucifer cried.

"I went to see God to tell him I have wished to come home, but he refused me. He branded me like them, and mark me for what I am not anymore. I tried many times, but each time, he sends the lightning to hit me. He does not strike me dead but to injured me. I am hurt most in my heart as I do love him." Lucifer looked at me. "We are all his children but he does not reclaimed me back. How would you feel if your Pa and Ma does that to you?"

I could not hold back my tears, but I remembered something Grandpa told me; demons are liars. I wiped off my tears and took up my space gun. I point at him and fired the gun. It blasted a hole in his chest where the heart was.

"Lucifer, you never learned after all these time. You are still a liar." I took another blast into his head; splattering his head contents. "Yesterday you told me your name was Satan. The day before was something else. When are you going to tell me the truth. You also promised me that you would lived with me here. You were to be the father of my children but now you want to leave me here. I shall not tolerate lies from you."

That night I shot Lucifer thrice; the last one was between his legs. Men are always liars; they only want to get into you and leave you all alone. Just like Pa who left Ma, when she was with little Eddie. Even little Eddie left us when the food was scarce on the table. I hate man. Teddy was an exception; he's a teddy bear.

I would clean up the mess in the morning. Or the sun would do it for me; suck it all up and burned the bits in Hell.

COTN House of Genoe Part 6

6. Pursuit

Malech placed the six containers he held at his waist belt on the floor. He can hear the serpents outside the Dome as they assault the magical barrier. He opened each of the container covers and then raised the Oracle over the containers. He chant some spells he knew and soon the containers starts to vibrate. Each of the container then had some mist appearing and its began formed into living shape. Malech finds himself looking at his previous peers that also include his son, Berhan.

"Hello, Sorcerer' and hello to you, Berhan." Malech held out his hands in a friendly gesture. The spectre forms immediately reacted as when they were alive then. They went to their tables and frantically tried to do their potions or spells to counter the coming attack but they find that their incorporeal form does not allowed them to touched anything. Then the realization hits in to their mind, and they all turned to look at the lone sorcerer standing there.

"Yes, you are all dead. But I am not. Not yet anyway. I need your help to get out of this place but first I need to destroy this city. The magical barrier around is weakening. Can we work together?"

All of them except his son lunged at the sorcerer but they seeped through his body.

"Fellow sorcerer' and wizards, please console yourself, that I would avenge your death. First we need to get this city destroyed."

"Malech, our magic is weak. We were just fools to think we can control Seti. Above all, we were fools to believe you."The one who spoke is the only dwarf here. His name is Gelia, one of the great wizards then of the Dwarfs. He is a half the height of Man yet his body frame is as wide but his limbs are shorter than them. What he may lack in height he made up in strength.

"Gelia, he may be working with Seti who is his brother in blood. I doubt his intention is genuine to kill. Maybe he could be working to keep the brother alive." The one who speak is an elf from House of Karen. "Am I not right?"

"Master Corin. I was wondering when you would speak up.I have no time to argue or explain. All six of you cannot control Seti on your own, but together all of you could. Your names were not picked up in random order but based on a selective understanding." Malech explained himself to them. "My son took my place. That was why I come here often. I was teaching my son the finer arts. I was imprisoned by Lord Netsu which created an imbalance."

Malech looked at six of them. They in turn looked away and then Gelia nodded.

"Good. We have a short time. This is what you must do." Malech showed them the list of things he needs. "Show me how to do it. I would do the last. With my son, Berhan."

It took them a day and night to complete the needed potions and spell. He placed the containers on the floor.

"It not for me to asked of your sacrifice after what you did but the war has just started. Your services may be needed for more ahead. Its your choice. If you do not joined, I would lay you with full honor as a peer of mine."

Gelia was the first to slipped back into the container, while the rest followed suit leaving Berhan and Corin.

"I am doing it as I hate to be left out in seeing Seti die without my help." Corin slipped in and there was Berhan.

"Father, its true what Kiring told you but there is no more love in me for her. I want her dead for trying to harm you. I am with you." Berhan slipped in back to the container. There was no time for Malech to speak to his son but his expression if seen by anyone would raised a query like the one in his head.

Malech walked away shaking his head. He picked up the large canvas bag and proceeded to the doorway. He took a deep breath and then picked a potion from the bag. He splashed it on his robe and then opened the door. The serpents ignored him as he walked past them. Thanks to the potion by Corin, the potion make him intangible to the serpent who took on his scent. He walked fast and without stopping. He soon reached the sunken wall and he looked at it. He called up the stairs and walked it up. He reached the top and looked down at the city of Aleria.

He reached into the bag and took out the potion in the large container. He then pulled out the long metal rod from the bag given to him by Gelia. He placed the rod into the ground. He laid his hand on it and then he called up a spell which made the rod burrowed itself into the ground. Malech carried up the large container to pour the content down. It seeped down into the ground through the narrow hole burrowed by the rod. He emptied the contents and then he took out the second container which he placed on the ground. He kicked it over to spill the contents which is powder. He then reached out for the spell that he can create a wind to sweep the powder contents over the city. Those are the five things he got from them. Now he would do his part. He reached up with his hands above his head. He chant and then he called out loud. The clouds moved over the city and it rained. The torrent of rain came down hard and it soon flood the city.

The fireworks starts then.

The potion in the ground has flowed all over the city beneath ground and spread wide across it. When it comes to contact with water, it become acidic and burns anything that is with scales. That forced the serpents to move out of their hiding spots in the ground. When they reached the ground, they find the scent intoxicating and they would soon cease moving.

"I did it." Malech smiled.

"Not so, Master Malech. I move the children out. The army is with Seti. You killed the old ones and many young ones but they are not children. They are still children of the Serpents." Malech turned to see the Queen standing there. She is not alone but accompanied by two dark Scorpions of one is missing a pincer. "My guards survived the attack as they are also immune to the serpent poison."

"I was wrong, Kiring. You are a worthy Queen." Malech can feel the container holding Berhan vibrating. "would you like to stay for the funeral?"

"Only yours." Kiring replied and her guards came forth. Malech reached into the bag and took out the last container.

"This is from Berhan." Malech hurled it at Kiring but the dark scorpion with the missing pincer jumped in to stopped the container. It broke on contact and the potion splashed out. The creature jumped back as the potion burned into its shell and pincer. Some of the potion got onto Kiring face and body. She screamed out loud and ran off to the back. The remaining creature came forth to attack Malech.

Malech reached into the ground and he used the spell to pulled out the iron rod. Its his only chance and when he got back the rod, he threw it at the dark scorpion. The rod on contact with the shell began to burrowed itself into the creature. The creature shrieked out in pain till the rod came out near the tail end of the creature. By then Malech had run the opposite direction to escape any more traps. More to it, he has to warned the others.

He ran towards the forest and then he realized the mistake.

He stopped in mid stride and then crouched down to rest. It did not take long for the serpents to find him. There were five of them; poisonous and deadly and they are fast. Malech reached out for the nearest tree roots. He chant a spell that invoke the trees to work for him. The roots lashed out to strike at the serpents on the ground while the branches shake off the ones on the tree.

He ran hard then for through the forest stopping at different trees to invoke the same spell. He soon reached the river and across it was the hill. He ran to it and stopped at the river bank. He can see the serpents in the water and they are waiting for him. The trees are too far from the river bank, and he had to go over.

"Master Malech, you can run but you can't hide from me. I know how to remove those spells." Malech turned around to looked at his previous apprentice.

"Kiring, you looked like a wreck." Kiring has half her face bandaged and her left arm covered too. "You sure looked like a ugly sister in law to me. I wondered how Malent can picked you."

Kiring screamed out for her guards to kill Malech. Serpents of all types and sizes are coming out, and this made Malech ran across the river without thinking. He was not thinking as he ran but he soon find himself swept off the feet into the air.

"Cedi?" Malech looked up from the Gryphon talons holding him tightly. The flying creature looked back at his burden and shriek out a low tone sound. The Gryphon soared high above the tree tops while Malech closed his eyes as he disliked heights.

The Serpents did not give up as they tailed the Gryphon as it flew overhead. It landed him on a stony hill top so that Malech can clear his air sickness. Malech looked at the Gryphon and smiled.

"You may go now. I would find my own way to safety." Malech indicate to the creature to go, but it just looked at him and refused to fly.

"Ok then. I would go with you but you must take me to a new place. I need to see some old friends." Malech mount the creature on its back and direct it new destination.

At the bottom of the hill, a solitary lady stood there and watched the creature fly off with her prey. She did not hear the arrival of another of her kind on the top of a dark scorpion. The newly arrived creature let its rider off next to Kiring.

"Malech escaped?" Seti asked of his his lover. Kiring nodded and bowed before her King. "You fool! Now he would warn Lord Netsu and our plan is known."

Seti kicked out at his lover causing her to fall back against a tree. Kiring got up on her knees and bowed again to her King. She did not utter any words for her failure to stop the old sorcerer.

"You would do best to do one other task for me. Failed that and you need not returned. I would seek you then."

"Yes, my King. What am I to do?" Kiring asked from her King.

"Remove your friend, Pipa. She is a threat now since she had acquired new acquaintances from the House of Micha. I know from my followers that she is with a warrior there. Find them both and removed them. Fail me not, or die before I seek you." The King climbed back on the scorpion and rode off.

"Yes, my King. Its shall be done."

COTN House of Genoe Part 5

5. Mother and Queen

The High Tower Temple is a triangle shaped structure that reaches to a height of over fifty Man's height with a central beam that holds it up. There are intervening beams across the tower levels to hold the walls up but it actually one tall inverted triangle. It was built as an art piece to showcase the ascension of Man to the heavens but soon it became a temple of worship by the Serpents followers as serpents starts to nest there. It deter off the others but the followers took it as their own domain. 

This time, Malech did not take the misty tunnel but he walked on the broken path way to the High Tower. The serpents were all around but it kept their distance from the sorcerer. The walk was long as the temple is placed at the city center. Malech had a chance to preview the serpents presence in the city and he is amazed at how many they have grown into. There are more than just serpents here but also the other reptiles like the dark scorpions, the centipedes and also the scions of Man'; the followers. He saw also the inbreed products like the double head Man and serpents here.

The gates of the temple was guarded a pair of menacing dark scorpions that is about the size of a horse. A centipede that length to that of man's height cling to the upper wall above the gates. The door opened seeing the arrival of the guest. Malech walked in and he was surprised to see the inner temple was cleared of any serpents except one which is their Queen. She curled like a lazy beast on a afternoon tan on the bench placed there.

"Master Malech, I bid you welcome. I would had greeted you at the doorway, but it would unbecoming of me as a Queen." Kiring is dressed scantily in silk covering her vanity but the skin that was once pale white in complexion is now partially covered with dark green scales and her once long streak of hair is now tousled up like a hood of the serpent neck. "Please sit anywhere. I have moved all the serpents out on your coming so we can talk in private."

"Kiring, what did you do?" Malech stared at the apprentice of his who was once a beauty among the elves.

"Oh, this look. Its the 'Jonserp Spell'. You should know it well. You tried to stop it from being perfected. Well, its now. I am the subject that perfected it. With this, we can interbreed between species. I am their Mother Serpent too." She waved a hand and from the burrows around the temple base came out half Man and Serpent species. They are Man's height with the torso complete with arms of Man' hands but their lower limbs are that of a serpent. The other difference is that they have elongated neck and their mouth are filled with fangs. "There are a dozen of them, and they protect me. They are my product with Seti. No guards are more loyal than your own children. Go away, children. Mother is busy now."

The children slither away on her instruction.

"Welcome to my new home, Master Malech." She waved her hand and the Malech felt his legs tied down by the flooring which move over his feet, covering them like some hard cover. "I learned more than you ever taught me."

"A feeble attempt at it." Malech waved his hand over it and the ground cracked open to release his feet. "You had magic here and yet you did not see it. Sad but ironic for you and Malent." Malech is snickering beneath his words.

"Yes, how did you hide all of that from us? We knew the old scrolls were there, but every attempt we did was a failure."

"It was easy. The chamber is locked by magic but not by me. It was your first master, Houden from Karen. His lock spells are extraordinary and beyond most of our capability. He was the keeper of the magics then. Every one who was into it signed a pledge to donate their magics there should they died without an apprentice. That was how we intended to preserved the magic. Houden told me of it when I was made Master of the masters. He confided in me that he fear for his life may end soon. He made me promise him to released the magic only upon great distress. He died soon enough but his lock remain." Malech smiled at the ex-apprentice.

"He selected Aleria for its was the city he loved then until your kind came and smear its beauty. He also knew that if there was a distress, it would be in Aleria as he was also a sorcerer who can predict on the future. He knew that I would come here. He told me so before he died."

"Houden was my father. He would had told me. You are lying, Master Malech...." Kiring screamed out at the old sorcerer. It stirred up the serpents as more appeared to come out of the burrows and doorways. "Stay away!"

The serpents heed her command.

"You father send you to me as he fears you would need a better master. I accepted you with Pipa as she was also brought in soon after. Her master was Lord Netsu who is acclaim in both as wizard and diplomat. The later was because Lord Netsu feared you learning from me and becoming an ally to fight him. I accepted his apprentice to appease him but I taught you more of the essential spells. Needless to say, the one I feared most did not do the first thrust of the dagger into my back but the one I liked did it." Malech looked away from the Queen towards the flooring. "You also seduced me when I was lonely. I admit my loss of my love made me foolish, but now I think I need not be as a whore knows nothing about feelings. She is just a bitch who wants to be garland with golds. Is that why you become the Queen?"

"Malech!" Kiring screamed out his name, but then she held back her words. The serpents are swarming out and again they stopped at her signal. They then retreated back again.

"I seduced you because of my obedience to Seti. He commands so then. I would do anything he asked of me. I am his lover too. Seti needed me to get close to you so that Pipa and me can trap you. Seti planned it all as he knows if he showed himself, you would expose his situation to the rest. Seti did not want a war until he is ready. He also needed you out of the way. It was never only me and Pipa. It was us altogether." Kiring moved her body to stand up.

"I called out Berhan to see me here outside the Dome. He still loves me. Alone, he was no match for me and Seti. He  believed me to trouble and he took me in to the Dome. He also teach me how to break the barrier and later Seti attacked the rest. There were casualties but we won. Seti wanted to destroyed the Dome but I stopped him. If the Dome is destroyed. It may alert the others too prematurely. We were preparing our armies then." Kiring stared at the old sorcerer. "Our army is now ready. Seti is seeing to their final preparations."

"Kiring, why do you do all of this? Berhan loved you. I did too and I regretted my lust then. Your father held hopes for you. What did really happened?" Malech looked at her for any signs of compassion or anything that could explained her motives. "Was it revenge? Or gold? Or power?"

Kiring just stared back at him. She looked up to the tower and then back at the old sorcerer.

"I was carrying Berhan' child when you caused us to split. He knew then but he could not tell you. I wanted to tell you but you chased me out of the chamber then. Do you recall how you lashed at me with your magic. You slammed me against the wall. You were so obsessed with the war. " She point at him. Then she continued in her words at him.

"You only wanted to win over your brother. You never knew about your grandchild in me. The child died that day due to your rage. I lost Berhan that day too; he blamed me for confronting you. That's when I plotted your downfall. I met up with your brother and served him as my master. Soon we became more than that. I helped him to spawn the children. They are ours; just like what I would had done with Berhan. You are the reason I am fighting with them."

"You are mad, Kiring. I should had seen this before. I am sorry. Can I make amends for you?" Malech held out his hands to the lady standing before the bench.

"Not then, and not now." Kiring shouted out. On both side of her to the rear; two large dark scorpions appeared out from the flooring. They plough their body out by pushing up the ground away. "I called them the Dark Guards. They are resilience to many magic spells and deadly if stung. The body would go into paralysis and then slow death as they consumed your innards."

"You gloat too much, Kiring." Malech ran to the nearest burrow. He held out his hands and chant some spells.

"No!" Kiring shout out in defiance.

A number of serpents crawled out from the burrows; large and small to proceed towards the oncoming dark scorpions. The serpents attacked the scorpions with ferocity of their nature. Malech rushed to the doorway and ran out to the open city area.

"Cedi!" Malech cried out. The serpents around him are starting to move up against him. He reached into his robe to pulled out the Oracle.He waved it around him and the serpents backed off but still stayed within a short distance of him.

"Cedi of Canaan!" Malech called out once more.

A shadow appeared over the skies and then a streak of flame was seen on the ground scattering and burning up the serpents which was in the way. The Gryphon flew a couple of time around the area where Malech is standing and leaving a trail of burnt serpents. It then landed and the rider on it reached with the hand.

"Malech." It was Cedi and he is giving the old sorcerer a ride to safety.

"Back to the Dome. Medi is still there. Take her away but I would stay on. I still have work to do here. Kiring must be stopped."

Soon Malech looked up to see Cedi holding Medi in his arms as they flew off. He rushed back inside the Dome to prepare his next battle. He held up the wand and looked at it.

"Its time you lived to your reputation."