Nate, Hero of Decura Chapter 29

A Defiant King

With his golem's punch having done little to no damage to the pale god, Ba'Lonnis swiftly jumped back, saving his golem from being sliced up by one of Xeenath's arm blades, which managed to leave a nick in the golem's wooden chest. “That was close” the kassi king thought. “Should've known that wouldn't have done much. This thing really is a monster.”

The scalekin guarding Kiera moved to attack the kassi who dared to strike their god, only for Xeenath to stop them by raising a hand. “Stay where you are” the god said in his deep, imposing voice. “I will teach this unruly child some manners.” Xeenath turned his gaze toward the large crowd of enemies and allies at the base of the elevated platform. “Scalekin! Dispose of the humans and their allies! If they will not accept the truth that I am their master, then they will accept their death.”

Immediately, every scalekin let out a fanatical cry before resuming the battle, even attacking the Gigan knight who had been fighting alongside them, much to the horror of their former allies.

With a strong sweep of his stone axe, Crunch sent Danford sliding away, the dwarf's shield thankfully managing to absorb most of the hit. “Chooka!” the scarlord roared as he charged at Nate.

Nate swiftly spun around and loosed an arrow at his attacker, hoping to slay the scalekin before it reached him. Unfortunately, Crunch managed to deflect the arrow with his metal hook hand. “Getting sick of you” he growled as he reached for another arrow, only to be forced to jump to the side to avoid the scalekin's axe from crushing his head.

On the opposite side of the elevated platform, Austell and Lisa finished their silent approach, using the battle as the perfect distraction to mask their movements. Readying their weapons, the Rooftop Runner and the captain gave each other a quick nod before charging up the platform and striking the four scalekin standing around Kiera from behind. Before the beasts even knew what had hit them, two of them were slain by Lisa's spear and Austell's dual swords. When the two remaining scalekin turned to face their attackers, Kiera sprang up and rammed her head into one of their stomachs, distracting both long enough for Lisa and Austell to slay them.

Hearing the commotion, Xeenath turned his head slightly and spotted the two humans standing over his four slain children. “How'd they get there?” he thought, being distracted long enough for Ba'Lonnis' golem to rush forward and ram one of it's wooden fists, now reshaped into a crude spear, into the pale god's chest.

“Only a fool gets distracted in battle” Ba'Lonnis said as he morphed his golem's other hand into another identical spear. “Now die monster!” Ba'Lonnis thrust his other spear toward Xeenath's heard, only for the god to catch it with his hand, immediately stopping the golem's arm.

Despite having one huge wooden claw skewering his chest, Xeenath seemed completely calm as he narrowed his glare. “You dare strike me twice?” he growled before seizing the wooden arm piercing his chest with his free hand. “Impudent little king...”

Ba'Lonnis tried to pull his golem's arm free, only to find the strength of Xeenath's grip far beyond what his wooden construct was capable of. With no other choice, Ba'Lonnis forced his golem's arm to snap itself from the body, allowing him to swiftly back away before Xeenath's other hand clamped down on the golem's one remaining arm.

“That thing just got skewered through the chest and doesn't even look hurt” Austell thought as he watched Xeenath tear the golem's arm from his chest and toss it aside, the large opened wound it left quickly healing completely. “How are we going to beat that thing?”

“Thanks Lisa” Kiera said as captain Lisa used a knife to free the Grand Marshall from her bonds. “Good work.”

“You're welcome Grand Marshall” Lisa said before drawing a sword from the sheath on her belt. “Here. I know it's not quite as thick as you like...”

Kiera smiled and took the sword. “But it'll do” she finished before turning her attention back to Xeenath. “Now. Do we assist the kassi king? Or do we go help the others against the scalekin?”

With a fierce scowl on his face, Xeenath charged toward Ba'Lonnis at an incredible speed, forcing the kassi king to raise his golem's arm to shield itself. His scowl changing to a sadistic grin, Xeenath unleashed a flurry of slashes with his arm blades, carving large cuts in the golem's wooden body. “That pathetic golem won't protect you for long, king” the god's voice echoed in Ba'Lonnis' head. “It would be far less painful and taxing for you if you wisely surrendered now. Just accept your fate Ba'Lonnis.”

“Never!” Ba'Lonnis roared as he swung his golem's arm at Xeenath, the pale god easily avoiding the attack by throwing his head back.

Despite his upper body bending back, Xeenath was able to wrap his head tentacles around the golem's one remaining arm. Before the kassi king even had a chance to try and free his golem's limb, Xeenath used his four tentacles to crush the wooden arm before tearing it from the golem's body. “Have it your way” Xeenath sighed, thrusting one arm blade into his opponent's chest as his upper body sprang back up, his black bone piercing all the way through the golem's body and coming out it's back.

Fortunately for Ba'Lonnis, he was able to shift his own body inside his golem to the left just enough to avoid being eviscerated. However, with no arms left on his golem, all Ba'Lonnis could do was try to back away from the pale god, only to find his golem unresponsive.

With his head tentacles now wrapped around the golem's legs, Xeenath prepared to ram his other arm blade into the golem's torso. “I won't miss this time” he said with a smirk on his face. That smirk quickly disappeared when Xeenath sensed something behind him. Turning his body as he swung his arm back, Xeenath nearly succeeded in decapitating Austell, but the Rooftop Runner was able to evade the fatal blow by swiftly ducking.

With the god's torso exposed, Austell sprang up and delivered two slashes to the creature's chest, leaving a cross shaped cut that quickly began to bleed.

Far more irritated than hurt, Xeenath released Ba'Lonnis' golem from his tentacle's grasp before sending them after the Rooftop Runner. “Foolish” he growled as his cross wound quickly closed up, Ba'Lonnis' golem collapsing onto it's back behind him.

Thanks to his agility, Austell was able to avoid being caught by Xeenath's tentacles by jumping back several times, even being forced to perform quite an impressive black flip when one of the longer tentacles swept at his legs. However, the second Austell finished his fancy maneuver, he spotted one tentacle springing toward his head so quickly he knew he wouldn't be able to avoid it. Fortunately, Austell didn't have to dodge it as Kiera swiftly sliced the tentacle in two with her sword before it reached him. “Thanks” he said after letting out a relieved sigh.

“Don't mention it” Kiera said as she and Lisa assumed defensive stances on either side of Austell. “Just be sure to return the favor later. I'm sure I'll need it.”

Despite having three new opponents waiting for him, Xeenath glanced back at Ba'Lonnis' crumbling golem. “Don't go anywhere” he snickered before giving the three humans facing him a fierce glare. “I was wondering which of you pathetic humans I should eat first. Looks like you'd rather just offer yourselves to me instead. I can accept that.”

“All you're getting from me is my steel” Kiera growled as she met Xeenath's glare with her own.

Xeenath let out a sigh as his severed tentacle quickly regrew. “You actually want to fight me?” he asked. “How futile... Surely you can see it's pointless to resist.” A smirk appeared on Xeenath's face. “Seems foolishness runs in the Gigan family. If you all desire to end up like Adam Gigan, I won't stop you.” Xeenath spread out his arms, exposing his chest. “Come. Attack me, and die.”

Off of the elevated platform, a single combatant was defeating foe after foe with her punches and kicks, making sure to shout the name of every attack she threw. Spotting her friend Ethan struggling to avoid a scalekin's club, Emina rushed to his aid and leaped into the air. “Emi Flying Kick!” she roared as both her feet collided with the scalekin's chest, sending the hulking beast toppling onto it's back.

Ethan let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks Emina” he said, causing Emina to give him a quick thumbs up.

Suddenly, another scalekin came barreling out of the surrounding melee, knocking one of Lisa's mercenary allies and a Gigan knight into the air as it charged at Ethan and Emina, club ready.

Emina prepared to meet the scalekin head on, only to be surprised when Ethan charged forward first.

The scalekin tried to crush the young lad under it's club, only for Ethan to swiftly step to the side to avoid it. With both hands on his sword, Ethan delivered a single slash across the side of the scalekin's stomach. When the enraged scalekin spun around and tried to knock Ethan's head off with his club, Ethan quickly ducked down, avoiding the lethal blow. Seeing that the scalekin had swung too wide, Ethan sprang up and rammed his sword into the front of his foe's stomach. The scalekin let out a final defiant cry before going limp a second later. With a confident smile on his face, Ethan gave Emina the same thumbs up she'd given him a moment earlier. Unfortunately, the now dead scalekin slumped forward, falling on top of a surprised Ethan and pinning him to the ground. “Should've seen that coming...” he grunted.

Emina tried to run to Ethan's aid, but another scalekin quickly moved to intercept her. Desperate to help Ethan, Emina leaped into the air and sent an 'Emi Kick' toward the side scalekin's head, only for the beast to effortlessly catch her leg. With a grin on it's face, the scalekin tossed Emina away before swiftly chasing after her.

Nearby, Nate used both of his short swords to stop Crunch's hook hand from striking his head.

“Chooka...” Crunch growled through his fangs as he pushed his hook against Nate's weapons.

“I don't know what that means...” Nate growled back. “But I'm going to assume it's not a compliment.” When Crunch raised his axe, Nate parried the scalekin's hook to the side before diving past his foe, slicing two small cuts across Crunch's side as he passed by.

Crunch swiftly spun around to attack Nate again, only to find the reyn already pointing an arrow at his head.

With a smirk on his face, Nate loosed the arrow, only to immediately lose his confident expression when Crunch caught the arrow with his teeth, breaking it in his jaws a second later. “Would you just hurry up and die already” he grumbled as he tried to draw another arrow, only to be quickly forced to dive to the side to avoid having his upper body caved in by the roaring Crunch's axe.

Back on top of the Elevated platform, Ba'Lonnis tried to get his severely damaged golem to get up, only to quickly realize his wooden construct would fall apart if he moved it too much. “I've got not choice” he thought before beginning to alter his golem's shape.

Barely a few yards from the kassi king's broken golem, Xeenath caught Lisa's spear in his hand, stopping it's tip a few inches from his face. Spotting Kiera and Austell charging toward him, Xeenath swiftly tossed Lisa at his other foes, forcing Austell to catch the captain, halting his advance.

Kiera on the other hand continued to charge forward with her sword ready. Xeenath attempted to grab her with his head tentacles, but the grand marshal either dodged or swatted the tentacles away with her sword. Reaching the pale god, Kiera swung her sword up at Xeenath's chest, only for it to be quickly intercepted by one of Xeenath's arm blades.

“Your valor is impressive” Xeenath said before sending Kiera sliding back by simply waving his arm. “But ultimately, will gain you nothing.”

“We'll see” Kiera growled as she struggled to maintain her balance while sliding back, Lisa and Austell quickly stopping her before she slid off the side of the elevated platform. “Don't underestimate us. I've faced worse than you.”

A grin appeared on Xeenath's face. “I severely doubt that little human” he said before lunging toward his three foes, forcing them to scatter as he brought his fists down on the floor. “None of you have ever faced anything like me.”

Barely a second later, Kiera, Austell and Lisa rushed back toward Xeenath and thrust their weapons at him. Much to their surprise, Xeenath simply remained still, a smile on his face as his attacker's blades pierced his flesh.

“Now do you see?” Xeenath asked his opponents as the tore their weapons from his body, his wounds quickly closing a second later. “You can swat at me with those toys all day. It's not going to help you.”

Suddenly, Ba'Lonnis' golem sprang up, reformed into the shape of a sharp wooden wolf. Before Xeenath realized the golem was back on it's now four feet, the golem leaped onto the god's back and dug it's sharp claws into Xeenath's back. “Then lets try something with a little more bite!” the kassi king roared as his golem bit down on Xeenath's neck.

Unfortunately like before, Xeenath seemed mostly unfazed by the wooden hound tearing into his neck. With one hand, Xeenath yanked Ba'Lonnis' golem from his back and slammed it into the stone floor, causing it to shatter into pieces, leaving the kassi king laying in a pile of wood chips and splinters. “That's enough out of you, little king” the pale god growled as he reached down to pick up Ba'Lonnis.

Kiera, Lisa and Austell tried to stop Xeenath, but the pale god's head tentacles suddenly sprouted black barbs from their tips before thrashing out wildly, forcing them to keep their distance.

After plucking up the kassi king in one hand, Xeenath stood, his wounds quickly healing as he did. “Well Ba'Lonnis... Are you ready to accept the truth?” he asked while holding the kassi tightly in his grip. “That I am your god?”

“Let him go!” Kiera roared as she tried to rush to Ba'Lonnis' aid, only to be forced back by Xeenath's thrashing tentacles.

Ba'Lonnis glared up at Xeenath while trying to free himself, but to no avail. “You're no god” he growled. “At least, not one worthy of my or my people's worship. The kassi will never forgive you for what you did to us! Go back to whatever pit you crawled out of!”

Hearing their king's voice, the kassi that were still fighting below turned their gazes up at the elevated platform, spotting Ba'Lonnis in Xeenath's grasp. “Sire!” one of them cried out as he tried to rush to his king's aid, only to be tackled down by a scalekin.

“King Ba'Lonnis!” another kassi yelled, her voice filled with desperation as she tried to get past the two scalekin blocking her path. “No!”

Xeenath's eyes narrowed to meet Ba'Lonnis' glare with his own. “If you will not become a part of my worshipers, you will become a part of my body” he growled as he tightened his grip enough to force a pain-filled cry out of the kassi king. “Farewell my child. I only hope the rest of your kind aren't as foolish as you.”

Ba'Lonnis' body started to slowly sink into Xeenath's hand. Defiantly, the kassi king held in his agony and glared up at Xeenath, gritting his teeth. “The kassi... Will never... Yield to... You!” he grunted loudly before completely disappearing into Xeenath's hand.

“No” Austell growled before readying his blades, Kiera quickly doing the same.

“You'll pay for that” Lisa growled as she twirled her spear into an aggressive stance. “I won't let you take anyone else.”

Xeenath opened his hand, revealing nothing but Ba'Lonnis' shorts, which slowly dropped to the ground. “Your end will not be like his” he said, giving his three remaining foes a smirk. “Yours will be far more painful. I'll tear you all to pieces as I feast on your flesh.” Xeenath cracked his neck before charging straight at Austell, Kiera and Lisa. “Die mongrels!”

TO BE CONTINUED....