Legacy Of Hope: Mercy For The Fallen Book One

By Thomas J. Childress

Nearly a decade ago, the land of Edenia was almost destroyed by an invading barbarian horde. Before they were defeated, a small group called HOPE discovered a mysteriously advanced robotic city hidden beyond the Northern Mountains. They used its technology to drive away the barbarians, but did so at a terrible cost.
The story follows an assassin named Kenji who will stop at nothing to have his revenge against the man who ruined his life while being hunted down by his fellow assassins, his only family. Along his journey he happens across four unlikely people that change him and his quest forever. In the midst of a land torn by civil war and the mysteriously advanced city, the five misfits quickly find themselves locked in a desperate struggle against the evil behind the chaos that threatens to destroy their world.
First, however, they must overcome the failures that define them, or be destroyed by it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mirador Publishing
• Release date: Nov 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781911044178

Book preview

MERCY for the FALLEN

Book One: LEGACY of HOPE

By

Thomas J. Childress

First Published by Mirador Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2015 by Thomas J. Childress

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without permission of the publishers or author. Excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

First edition: 2015

Any reference to real names and places are purely fictional and are constructs of the author. Any offence the references produce is unintentional and in no way reflect the reality of any locations involved.

A copy of this work is available though the British Library.

IBSN : 978-1-911044-17-8

DEDICATION

To my wife who inspires me,

and to all of those who have ever lost hope.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Jensen Childress was born February 6, 1987 in Fort Rucker, Alabama. After graduating Northview High School in 2005, he moved to Fresno, California. There he pursued a number of hobbies and careers until joining the Navy where he served two deployments on two ships, the USS Ingraham and the USS Nimitz.

He has a passion for reading and writing wildly imaginative stories, and is looking forward to publishing the next three volumes of this series,

Mercy For the Fallen.

Chapter 1:

Wake Of Hate

Edenia has always been a land of peace and prosperity, Talon Orion said, leaning forward in his chair. The two children sitting on the chestnut wood floor in front of him gazed up with longing eyes. They loved hearing their father’s stories and he certainly didn’t mind telling them. The two were good listeners for a six-year-old girl and a five-year- old boy.

The land where our people have lived and flourished has been rich and beautiful a long time, Talon continued. The warm crackling fire cast a soft glow to even the far corners of the room. The light flickering on Talon’s face illuminated his strong, square jaw as well as his loving expression. His shoulders were broad and his body solidly built from many years of physical stress. A short ponytail held his dark brown hair back from his face. His hazel-green eyes were gentle. His kids wanted to hear about the Barbarian War. This is a good way to teach history, he thought, or at least a basic understanding of it.

The tall mountain ranges to the north and east, and the oceans to the south create a natural protection from the rest of the world. To the west, however, extends a vast desert that for a time gave our lands protection. In 1260 E.A. (Edenian Aggregate)...

Talon stopped himself there, knowing that specific dates would just go over their heads. He was used to telling stories to men at the tavern on weekend nights. Along with being one of the best blacksmiths in the area, he had become the village storyteller since moving to Shani Village five years ago. Talon made a mental note to keep things simple for his children’s young minds.

"One day, a power-hungry tyrant from the desert people united the many warring tribes with the intention of expanding his own empire. He was the warlord Bar Nak De and he set his vast horde of desert-dwelling barbarians against our nation. The barbarians were intent on wiping out Edenia and taking our lands for themselves. The fifteen territories that make up the people of Edenia, however, united under one banner against the new threat. Even though we all fought bravely against the horde, our beautiful country slowly gave way to the merciless invaders.

"The elder council—fifteen rulers of Edenia, one ruler representing each territory—formed several search parties, each consisting of three emissaries accompanied by six of their best warriors. Their mission was to travel over the eastern mountains into what is known as the ‘Derelict Lands’ to find help or to find someplace inhabitable for us to escape into,, if such a place existed, as a last resort. One of these groups, however, traveled over the barren ice lands of the Deadlock Mountains north of Edenia. They did so based solely on an old tale of an ancient city. Many people thought that this group, known as ‘Hope’, was on a suicidal quest, but it turned out they were the only group to succeed. After a difficult journey over the northern mountains, the members of Hope discovered a valley with a strangely advanced city called Haldis. The city’s residents relied on machines to assist in everyday life. Edenia and the rest of the known world are simple in comparison, mind you. Swords, spears, chariots, and bows are the common weapons of our people. Haldis, on the other hand, was cut off from the rest of the world by the tall peaks of the northern mountains and their people discovered the technology for something terribly powerful.

Just before the barbarians could take Goren, the capital city of Edenia and one of the last strongholds against the horde, a large flying metal ship from Haldis appeared in the sky. It rained down metal that dropped a devastating fire onto the invading barbarians. The warlord was killed and the horde retreated toward the desert where the many tribes divided against each other again. The large metal flying ship followed in pursuit, but nobody ever saw it again. The barbarian horde never recovered from their defeat and eventually disbanded in the desert. The five-year Barbarian War was finally over, but the discovery of Haldis stirred up problems in Edenia.

Talon stood, letting the kids know story time was over.

I’m not tired yet, Daddy, his daughter Jade, pleaded, trying to hide a yawn behind her shoulder-length, light brown hair. What about the problems?

I’m afraid that’s all boring political stuff. You’ll understand when you’re older. Now off to bed.

Did you fight barb…brians? Kenji asked with wonder in his deep green eyes.

Talon smiled weakly. It’s bedtime, son. Both of you go along now. But I’m not sleepy, Jade tried to say before her yawn cut her off.

You heard your father, kids. Bedtime, Sara said as she walked into the room.

The kids trudged off unwillingly, their mother right behind them. When she finally got them both in bed, she returned to the living room to join Talon.

You still think politics are boring, huh? Sara asked teasingly while untwisting the long braids of her earth-brown hair.

Never was my area of expertise, Talon replied, smiling.

That didn’t stop you in Haldis. She pointed out.

Talon looked at his wife somewhat surprised. She sat next to him in the warmth of the flickering fireplace and he could tell something was on her mind. She wore a light blue gown that complemented her fair skin, blue eyes, and petite frame. Talon raised an eyebrow. You still think of that place?

I have been thinking about it lately, Sara answered. I just feel like we should do something about all this. We are partially responsible.

We did our part in Hope. We have a family now. We can’t go running off on adventures anymore.

I know, Sara said. It’s just politics now.

The northern territories and the southern territories are on the brink of war, and all for what? Because the southern territories want to plunder Haldis, but the northern territories won’t let them? You saw what happened to the city when Samuel tried to use that new device. It destroyed itself. Bringing the technology here would destroy our world as well.

Which is why there has to be resolve here. I think we should at least try.

Sara and Talon sat together in the quiet of their living room. Talon thought for a moment then shrugged off the notion. Let someone else get involved. I like the life we have now. This is where we belong.

Sara reached over and turned her husband’s face toward her own. She looked him in the eyes. There is something else that bothers you about this, isn’t there? What happened to Samuel wasn’t your fault.

Talon diverted his eyes back to the fire.

It was true.

He did want to live a quiet life now, but he was driven to that decision by guilt. When he, Sara, and the other members of Hope reached Haldis, they had been faced with a difficult decision. The Haldenians were kind and extended their hospitality, but they didn’t want to get involved with the affairs of outsiders. All attempts of diplomacy failed in getting support to save their country. Samuel Otta was one of the youngest and most gifted fighters Talon ever had the privilege to fight alongside. They made the trek across the northern mountains together and grew to be quite close friends.

Samuel, however, was not one for patience.

The king of Haldis controlled all the machinery in the city using a special crown. The machines were supposed to make life easier for everyone. The marvelous technology was there to provide the inhabitants of Haldis with luxurious, worry-free lives. A utopian society.

Samuel killed the king while he slept, then stole the crown for himself and immediately sent a flying ship to Edenia to save the residents from the barbarians’ siege against Goren. What he didn’t know was that it took a well-trained mind to use the king’s marvelous device without corrupting it with human emotion. When the royal guard finally found him, it was too late. Samuel had become obsessed with the device’s power and killed the guards who tried to stop him. Every machine in the city became corrupted by his blood lust and they turned on their human hosts. The city, normally a paradise, became a blood bath in minutes. The other members of Hope had no choice but to stop him, and it turned out to be Talon who struck the blow. Talon tore the crown from Samuel’s head with a slash of his katana sword, leaving a clean gash across Samuel’s face. Talon left Samuel to die, bleeding and madly crying out in a city filled with terror. Crying out for forgiveness.

Killing Samuel was a decision Talon had made in anger and he regretted the deed every day since then. It was only later that he realized that although Samuel had acted in brash disregard for the Haldenian people, he still should have shown mercy to his friend. After all, Samuel was the reason Edenia had survived annihilation.

I can’t do it, Sara. I just don’t have it in me anymore. Do you remember when I told you about my past in the far east? I lost so much over that cursed thing. He gestured to the katana hidden under the floorboards.

Sara embraced Talon. I know you’ve been through a lot. I didn’t mean to bring up the past like this.

Talon hugged her back, and then released her with a heavy sigh.

You’re right, however, he said, feeling defeated. He knew she was just trying to do what she believed was the right thing. I shouldn’t stop you from doing what you think will help. Diplomatic relations and what not, it’s what you’re good at. Maybe you should get in touch with your old work colleagues.

Sara’s blue eyes sparkled as she looked at Talon. He could see her childish smirk.

I would be gone for only a week or two to find out what I could do. I could leave next week if you think you can handle the kids. Teresa, down the road, would help on the days you have to work late.

I can handle the kids just fine. Talon couldn’t help but smile at his wife’s excitement. This was what she loved to do. If he hadn’t married her, he was sure she would still be involved with politics.

So, she said as she snuggled next to him in front of the fire.

So? he said, lifting an eyebrow.

So the kids are asleep and you have your beautiful wife all to yourself. Whatever will you do?

Talon smiled and leaned over to kiss his wife in the waning light as the fire died out.

The following morning, Talon left the house to work at his forge. It was the weekend, so the kids left to play with their friends. Sara decided to prepare for her trip to the capital.

Talon found himself uncomfortably preoccupied by the conversation of the night before. The death of Samuel was just one more regret on top of many others that he had accumulated during his life. His thoughts were enough to drive any man crazy.

Halfway to the forge, Talon decided the best thing to do was distract himself through work. He was so immersed in his thoughts, however, that he didn’t notice the people running past him in the opposite direction. It wasn’t until someone actually bumped into him that he became aware of the chaotic activity. He had almost reached the forge when he saw smoke rising over the buildings to the south. The temple bell began ringing the alarm and guards rushed past Talon, who remained motionless, standing in the middle of the street. Is it a fire? he wondered, and followed the guards running past him. Once he passed the market, Talon could see the valley to the south. The sight was horrific.

Hundreds of soldiers flying the flag of Lamech, the territory just south of theirs, were raiding the edge of Shani Village. Positioned among the soldiers were large metal spheres crawling on four mechanical legs. They were spewing fire that targeted the houses. The warning bell continued to ring and the citizens of Shani ran in a wild panic.

Talon froze in disbelief. But only for a moment.

The imminent danger reawakened a part of him that he had buried since settling down. He instinctively reached for his sword and shield, but he no longer carried them. Of course, those items were at home. And even if he had them, he couldn’t fight against so many men. A new thought superseded all others—he had to get his family to safety.

With a quick turn on his heels, Talon ran full sprint back home. The villagers rushed this way and that, quickly spreading the news. Some villagers, like Talon, retreated to their homes to defend their families. Others were packing what they needed in order to flee. Talon ran past four guards arguing about what to do. Shani Village had never prepared its residents for such a catastrophe, and now many found themselves overwhelmed in panic.

Before Talon could cut through the central market, men on horses stopped him. The men were the invading soldiers, killing everyone within reach of their swords. Talon ducked and rolled, just narrowly avoiding the edge of a blade. He jumped onto a horseman who had just killed a guard. Talon pulled the man off his horse. His fist landed on the felled horseman’s head, which gave him the chance of prying the soldier’s sword and shield away from the downed man. The weapons were of poor quality, but Talon figured it was better than having nothing. With a downward thrust, he ended the soldier’s life, and then swept the blade to the side, taking out the leg of a charging horse.

If there are soldiers attacking this part of the village, then the enemy force is trying to surround the village! Talon knew he had to reach his family quickly if he hoped to get them out alive. Without a moment to spare, Talon continued his mad dash home.

One of the large metal creatures he had seen in the distance rounded a building in front of him. Four long, double-jointed legs hoisted the spherical body five feet off the ground. The unit looked like a giant metal four-legged insect. Its body was large enough to easily fit two people inside. A metal pipe jutted out the front just under a wide but thin slit. He could see the eyes of the person operating the machine peering out from the small slit. The only place he had ever seen such a machine was in Haldis, but that technology was far more advanced than what stood before him now.

The machine pointed its long metal pipe toward a nearby building— the tavern where he liked to tell stories, and he could hear people inside. The pipe turned red just before fire came spewing out of it and into the tavern. The people inside screamed as they tried to climb out of the windows to escape the deadly flames. The machine saw this and turned to target the fleeing people.

Before the machine ignited a second time, a sword jammed into the slit above the pipe. The machine reared back, tossing Talon off. His sword remained lodged in the slit but that didn’t seem to affect the machine. It quickly recovered and targeted its aggressor.

Talon held up his shield in time to place a barrier in between him and the incoming flames. Luckily for him, the round shield was big enough to tuck his body behind before the searing heat hit. Most of the fire was diverted, but some singed the edges of his body where the shield didn’t reach. Talon felt as if he were fighting the great beasts in the far east again. His adrenaline and confidence resurrected the fighting spirit he had sought to bury years ago.

When the fire subsided, Talon was in full sprint towing the still flaming shield behind him. He smashed his shield against one of the machine’s legs at the joint. The shield split apart from the impact and the metallic joint bent the wrong direction until it snapped. The machine toppled forward, breaking off its red-glowing pipe. Talon heard someone inside the metal creature curse and thrash as the machine fell. Immediately, fire burst out the front, threatening to consume the entire machine. The screams of the machine’s dying operator were cut short when the flames spread rapidly around and through it. Soon, all that was left was a huge burning fireball that spread flames to nearby buildings.

Talon didn’t linger. He continued his race home to save his family.

When he reached his house, he saw Sara in the front yard, calling out for Jade and Kenji. She appeared terrified. The news must have reached her already. Sara ran to him and hugged him tightly.

I think the kids are at the creek. Or Teresa’s place! We have to find them! she said hysterically.

Talon tried to calm her, but the sound of horses galloping toward them drew his attention.

Get my sword and shield, hurry! Talon commanded, pushing her away.

Sara saw the horsemen coming down the road and hurried back into the house.

Talon faced the three charging horsemen. They were followed by several men on foot, all wearing the Lamech uniform. He rolled to the side to avoid being trampled by the horses, then was quickly back on his feet, but the situation seemed hopeless. Twenty more swordsmen were approaching from the south as the horsemen turned around to attack him from the opposite direction.

Catch! Sara called out as she threw his sword to him followed by his shield. Fortunately, his sword and shield were light enough to land close by. He dove again to reach his weapons and was surprised that the sword she had thrown him was the ancient katana. Because of its history, she knew it wasn’t a weapon he liked to use. It was, on the other hand, the strongest and most reliable one he had. The dark red hilt was wrapped in the shape of a golden dragon that opened its mouth to form the hand guard. The slender pale white blade projected from the gold dragon’s open maw. It was encased in a solid black sheath that had been polished to perfection. ‘Dragon Fang’ was a magnificent weapon he rarely used because he’d spent most of his life protecting its darker secrets. In the situation he was in now though, he cared only that it might save his life. He quickly unsheathed the sword and picked up his broad shield.

When the first soldier reached him, Talon was ready. With a quick bash of his shield, the soldier’s sword was parried, making it easy to swing his katana down on the man. The katana cut perfectly, through armor and bone as if they were paper. Turning around quickly, he used his shield to stop an incoming thrust from a horseman’s spear and shoved the horse over onto its rider.

From every direction, the Lamech soldiers attacked Talon, only to be battered mercilessly by his shield or cut down by his sword. Talon defended his home with all the strength he had honed from many years of adventures and violence. After seeing many of their fellow soldiers die to this lone swordsman, the remaining few soldiers fell back, hesitating to attack.

Talon yelled as loud as he could, threatening to charge the wavering men. It was all the incentive they needed to turn tail. At Talon’s feet lay the bloody bodies of their fallen comrades. Talon took a moment to catch his breath and watched blood slowly drip from his sword and shield. His stamina was definitely not what it used to be, but apparently, there was still enough left in him to deal with impotent infantry.

All the remaining Lamech soldiers ran for their lives, with the exception of one man who calmly walked toward Talon. He was a burly, square-jawed man with a scar across his face that started at the bottom of his right cheek and traveled diagonally up between his eyes, ending at the top left corner of his forehead. His straight, oily black hair that hung a few inches past his shoulders was in stark contrast to his ashen skin. On his shoulder, he carried a wide and massive sword that had been used by barbarian giants during the earlier wars. The blade was eight inches wide and pale white, like Talon’s. But the length of the giant cleaver was only thirty-six inches long because the top half was broken off, leaving an angled, jagged edge at its end.

Talon knew only one man with a scar and sword like that.

You fight like you used to. A familiar voice emanated from the burly, yellow-eyed man, its tone implying an underlying hatred. I expected no less, of course. He grinned as if mad. Do you remember who I am, Talon Orion?

Talon couldn’t believe his eyes. He nearly dropped his sword. It was his old friend, back from the grave. Samuel… Samuel Otta. But how? Talon asked, unsure if he should be glad or worried. Seeing his current predicament, he assumed the latter.

Do you know why I’ve come, old friend? Why I’ve gone through such lengths to meet you like this?

How did you survive Haldis? How did you make it back alive? I left you at death’s door! Talon blurted, unable to wrap his mind around the situation.

Revenge. Revenge brought me back from the clutches of death. It gave me the strength to survive and grow stronger. Even stronger than you.

Smoke filled the sky as most of the village was burning by then. The sound of villagers fighting the invaders could be heard in the distance, along with the dying screams of the slain. Talon gripped his sword tighter. He finally realized what was happening.

These aren’t soldiers from Lamech are they? Talon said, disgusted. You’re catching on quick. I guess some people never change.

It would seem some people do.

Samuel grinned wickedly at Talon. I came back to Edenia out of fear of that city and out of hate for you. I was weak then, but as time went by, I pushed myself to new heights plotting my revenge. I discovered these bandits… he gestured to the burning village, and killed their leader. After that, I commanded these men. Then all I had to do was steal uniforms, weapons, and some of those inferior machines to stage an act of war from a southern territory.

You’ve gone insane! Talon said, outraged. If you wanted revenge on me, why involve so many that had nothing to do with Haldis. If the northern territories believe this was Lamech, there will be a civil war! What could you possibly gain from that?

Samuel’s smile turned into a sneer but his gaze was unshaken. He had obviously thought of this already. After a moment of silence he answered in a low growl, Everything! His voice was bitter with resentment and suppressed rage. I have everything to gain. My revenge against you is just the beginning. When I returned to the land I single- handedly rescued from annihilation, I was greeted with a cold shoulder. I sacrificed everything, but for what? A people that care for nothing but their selfish lives? They beg for a savior but when that savior comes, they turn their back on him.

If this is about what I did…

This is about what everyone did and continues to do! I was wrong to save them and trust people like you. I’m going to rectify that mistake.

Talon was taken aback by Samuel’s words. This wasn’t the man he used to know. He wanted to reply, but Samuel was approaching with a threatening glare. Starting with you!

Samuel sped toward Talon with light feet and swung his colossal sword down on him. Talon raised his shield and stopped the weapon. The force was greater than he imagined though, forcing him to a knee. He felt his shield arm shrill with pain from the impact.

He didn’t remember Samuel being this strong. Talon knew his own strength wasn’t what it used to be, but Samuel’s strength seemed unnatural. The Haldis Crown must still be affecting him! thought Talon.

Talon lunged upward, forcing Samuel’s sword to follow through with a slash of his sword. Samuel had anticipated this and kicked Talon in the chest before he could swing.

Talon fell to his back, stunned.

You’re a weak fool. Now die like the coward you are, Samuel said, raising his sword to kill him.

But Talon was far from defeated. The power of the dragons coursed through Talon’s blood, urging him on, empowering him.

Samuel’s sword fell hard, only to meet the ground. Talon rolled to the side, bounded to his feet and was back to his target. Samuel jerked the massive blade from the earth, spraying dirt and rocks at Talon. Their blades clashed with thunderous applause. Talon quickly spun to his left, bashing Samuel with enough force to stop a charging bull.

Samuel hardly budged.

The massive blade swung in again like a flash of lightning, but this time Talon thought better than to try to block it. He ducked and weaved at the incoming strikes, using his shield to parry and his sword to attack. The result was a stalemate with neither opponent gaining advantage over the other.

Talon was tiring.

In addition to the fatigue, time was not on his side. He could hear the bulk of the invading force getting closer to his home. One of the fire- spewing machines, guarded by a small band of swordsmen, was approaching. The sight sent his heart racing even faster. Sara!

A crossbow bolt sang out from a window of his house and landed in the neck of one of the incoming attackers, dropping him immediately. He knew Sara hated fighting but she did know how to use a crossbow.

The band of disguised aggressors charged his home with the intention of killing his wife. He had to save her!

But there was still the issue of Samuel. He would need to do something out of character to get the advantage. His first thought went to his shield. How many times have I gone on about never losing one’s shield? The thought provoked an idea.

He forced himself away from Samuel to give the large man room to charge. Samuel took the bait and rushed in, raising his weapon to strike.

Talon threw his shield.

Samuel had been able to anticipate every one of Talon’s moves except for this one. The rim of the shield drilled into his chest, knocking him off balance.

Talon lunged toward Samuel, cutting across with his katana. Samuel stumbled backward to avoid the sword but it still cut him across the chest. Samuel fell on his back with a heavy thud and yell. Talon wasn’t sure if the wound was deep enough to matter, but he had no time to linger with his wife in trouble.

Another crossbow bolt lodged into a man attempting to climb in a window. The bolt punched through the man’s armor, sending him flailing. Sara knew there were too many aggressors for her because she had to reload the crossbow with each shot. Her hands trembled as she fumbled another bolt into the crossbow while another man began climbing through her window. Her face went white as the bolt slipped from her hand to the ground. Frozen with fear, she knew she was done for.

The man in the window grinned and stepped inside with his sword drawn. But before he could take another step, someone grabbed him from behind and pulled him back out.

Talon pulled the man out of his house and ran his sword through him. He tossed the body at a charging swordsman, and cut down another charging from a different direction. He stood between the disguised warriors and his home, killing everyone who came near.

The bandits backed off when the fire-spitting machine was within range of the house. Fire erupted from its nozzle, blasting toward Talon and his home at the same moment Talon realized the threat.

Instinctively, Talon leapt to the side to avoid the flames, but when he looked back, he was struck with terror. His house was on fire. Flames were shooting out from the windows.

Sara!

Talon made a mad dash toward the machine. Another warrior stepped in his way, but wasn’t ready for the swift lunge by the slender katana. Talon thrust his blade through the man and used his momentum to force him to the ground. Looking up, he saw the machine was readying another shot at him.

He ran hard, straight for the machine. The nozzle turned red, sparked, and spewed its vicious flames. Talon slid fast just under the fire and beneath the metallic beast’s belly. He brought his sword up and into the machine with all his might so that the whole length of the blade sank in. A muffled cry could be heard from within the machine and then the machine stood as still as a statue.

Talon turned back toward his home and saw that it was quickly being consumed by the fire. The fake soldiers had retreated for the moment, giving him a clear path to his house. He ran to the rear and opened a door that wasn’t yet on fire. Inside was black with smoke. Glowing red flames were quickly consuming everything.

Sara! he shouted frantically.

He ran in hunching low and covering his mouth with his sleeve so he could breathe. His eyes stung then welled with water making it impossible to see. The heat was excruciating, but nothing could deter his search for his wife.

Halfway down the main hallway he saw what looked like a body pinned by a fallen beam. It was Sara. He grabbed the beam and lifted with all the strength he could muster. His hands sizzled from the heat of the wood, sending terrible waves of pain throughout his body. He coughed and gagged from the smoke and quickly became drenched with sweat and ash.

With a lurch and a heave, the wood budged just enough for him to grab his wife and pull her free. She wasn’t conscious, so he feared the worst. He ran out of his burning home as fast as he could, laying Sara down delicately on the grass.

She was breathing! A wave of relief flooded him until he saw her wounds. She had severe burns all over her body.

Sounds behind him reminded him that evil men were still on their way to kill them both. His mind was spinning, How could this have happened? Just this morning his life was as normal as normal could be and in an instant, it had all changed.

He felt Sara’s hand touch his cheek, drawing his attention back to her.

She was conscious now, but her eyes were filled with pain.

Talon. She spoke softly while looking in his eyes. Find the kids… leave me.

No! Talon said quickly, without meaning to sound so harsh. Tears swelled in his eyes again. I’m not leaving you. We’ll find the kids together.

Tears ran down Sara’s cheeks. Talon’s tears flowed as well.

I told you I would never let you go, Talon managed to mutter.

I know, Sara responded with a slight smile.

Her breathing became shallower.

The swordsmen had surrounded them so Talon stood slowly to face the men. Without a word, one of the men charged Talon from behind and he quickly met his end. Some of the others hesitated, some didn’t. Some came at him in waves of twos and threes, but nothing they did could stop Talon in his growing rage.

For many years he had fought countless battles and made many sacrifices. He had grown so tired of it all. All he wanted was rest. Peace.

Is there no end to this? he thought.

Suddenly Talon’s body jerked forward when he felt something hit his back. The pain was terrible, bringing him to a knee. He felt his back and found the shaft of an arrow lodged in him. He glanced back to see Samuel standing several yards away with a large bow.

And a hideous grin.

Another man came rushing toward him. He had no time to think. He roared with passion to give himself the strength to stand and meet his foe. He swung once, splitting the incoming blade in two. Then he swung a second time taking off the man’s head.

Another blast of pain surged through his back, nearly knocking him over. He roared again out of pain but it didn’t sound human. It was more like the dying roar of a dragon. Glowing red runes shone bright on both sides of his blood-soaked blade.

Talon struck down another foe and another while taking another arrow in his side and stomach. He turned mindless, swinging wildly at the people around him. It became harder to breathe and everything seemed to be distant and blurred. His strength quickly left him, forcing him to fall on his knees next to Sara.

He looked up and saw the blurred image of what he thought was Samuel Otta.

Samuel… Talon managed to mutter before blood filled his mouth.

That’s not who I am anymore, Samuel replied with a cold glare.

He notched an arrow, pulled back the string, and launched the projectile into Talon’s heart.

Talon didn’t remember falling, just hitting the ground. He was facing Sara and she faced him. With trembling hands, they reached for the other’s fingers and held as tight as they could. One last tear rolled down Sara’s cheek before her eyes dulled to a blank stare. That was the last thing Talon saw before drifting into darkness.

~~~~~

Kenji and Jade had gone to play at Teresa’s barn house on the northern outskirts of the village. Her property was up a hill, giving it a vantage point overlooking Shani Village. The hill rose higher toward the north, where it leveled out at Hardwood Forest.

Teresa was an elderly widow who loved kids. Her joy for children and her gentle reputation had made her the unofficial nanny of the village and she’d volunteered her property as a place parents could send their kids to play. It was there that Kenji, Jade, and twenty-eight other children from the village had gathered when Teresa first noticed the smoke and screams rising from the village below. She watched in horror as the village was invaded by a small army. By the time the warning bells began to ring, all the children had gathered behind her, filled with fear and confusion. Before Teresa could get over her initial shock, two soldiers on horseback rode up toward the hill with their swords drawn. As far as she could tell, the riders hadn’t seen her or the kids yet, but she feared the worst. The old widow did the only thing she could think of to save the children.

Run for the forest! she shouted frantically. Run and don’t turn back!

The children hesitated at first but the urgency in her voice made it clear that they were in real danger. Suddenly, a stampede of terrified children ran from the barn house to the tree line higher up on the hill. Kenji looked back, assuming that Teresa would be close behind, but instead the old woman ran down the hill to lead the horsemen away. He knew it would be the last time he would ever see her. Panic and fear swelled in his chest, exposing his fantasy of courage for the fantasy it was. Jade grabbed his hand and pulled him into a run. He could barely keep up.

The children all ran into Hardwood Forest, the opposite direction from the village. From there, Kenji and Jade saw what was happening below. An army, carrying the Lamech flag, was burning their homes and killing everyone they found. There were also terrible mechanical creatures the size of a cottage shooting flames at houses.

Reality hit them hard, driving them to cower deep in the concealment of the forest. Even though all the kids had been forbidden by their parents to cross into the woods, most of them had done it from time to time and knew the best place for so many to remain hidden—a dried up creek bed with steep banks. It was there they decided to hide.

After what seemed like an eternity of madness, the awful sounds of the raid grew silent. Smoke and ash hovered over their hiding place and the air grew colder as the sun neared the horizon. Jade was the first to stand. She turned to her little brother and tried to hide her tears. Stay here while I take a look, she whispered.

She gazed in the direction of the village, hesitated, and then took off running toward the edge of the woods.

A few seconds passed before Kenji and the others heard her scream.

Kenji immediately took off after Jade, fearing the worst. When he cleared the tree line, he saw her on her knees looking out at the village. He walked up beside her and saw the reason she had screamed.

There was no village.

A charred ruin where their homes used to be, lay before them. Not one thing was left standing and the bodies of the people they all knew were everywhere. The rest of the children walked up behind them to see what had happened. Many of them began to cry again. Others stood silent, too horrified to make a sound.

Kenji couldn’t believe what he saw. He hoped it was all just a bad dream. He wanted to wake up and see his mother’s smiling face. That’s when it hit him and everyone else as well. Their parents!

All at once, the kids ran down