Chronicles of Elysia: Rebellion: Elysia, #1

By Yuri Jean-Baptiste

Dark gods and foul monster claim the land. But an unlikely band of rebels look to challenge their reign.

Living as a street rat in the impoverished hamlet of Kerkeliz, young Chidea has only known oppression and hardship. Between the harsh rule of corrupt rulers and terrifying creatures from the Underworld preying on defenseless citizens, Eylsia has lost all hope.

But when a curious group of ragtag warriors invades their sleepy town, Chidea unearths a daring plot to overthrow the Traitor King and bring an end to the Forsaken Ones that threaten their kingdom. Desperate to learn more and discover the truth behind the mystical Armor of Elyon, Chidea will find herself at the forefront of a war between an ancient demigod of Chaos and the mysterious hero destined to challenge him.

Will the defiant warriors regain the legendary lost Armor before it's too late, or will the dark forces of Vehdite quell the sparks of rebellion once and for all?


Chronicles of Elysia: Rebellion is the first book in the electrifying epic fantasy series from the author of Metamorphs. Fans of C.S. Lewis, R. A. Salvatore, and Andrzej Sapkowski will love this diverse new spin on the genre.

Immerse yourself in the wondrous world of Elysia and discover your new favorite fantasy series today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yuri Jean-Baptiste
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215611081

Yuri Jean-Baptiste

While Yuri Jean-Baptiste may have spent his adolescence growing up in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, FL, he mainly lived in the magical fantasy and sci-fi landscapes his imagination created. A voracious reader and movie-lover, Yuri spent much of his childhood years world-building and concocting adventures before being forced to grow up. Lucky for him, he met his true love, Jennifer, who dared him to imagine again and pursue his dreams of becoming an author. Married in 2015, Yuri now lives in Durham, NC, with his wonderful wife and two dogs, although he devotes much of his time within his now fully-developed worlds. When he is not writing his novels, Yuri can be found channeling his inner nerd, playing Dungeon’s and Dragons and Magic: the Gathering with his friends.

Book preview

Chronicles of Elysia: Rebellion

Yuri Jean-Baptiste

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WarloX: Child of Darkness

WarloX: Child of Madness

While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Copyright © 2021 by Yuri Jean-Baptiste

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Cover designed by MiblArt.

To God above all else, my wonderful wife, the life-changing men of 4M, and my beautiful baby girl, Mariella.

Contents

Foreword

Elysia World Map

HISTORY OF ELYSIA

PART ONE: THE LOST SHEEP

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

HISTORY OF THE TWELVE

PART TWO: PRODIGAL

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

HISTORY OF SOULCRAFT

PART THREE: TAMAA

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Epilogue

Afterword

Foreword

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Chronicles of Elysia: Rebellion, the first chapter in my epic fantasy series! I hope you enjoy the wonderful adventure that awaits you in this breathtaking new world, and I encourage you to dive into the other books of this expansive universe once you’ve finished! Please make sure that you also check out the other novels in the superhero universe of Alterra with my critically acclaimed series, Metamorphs.

Please don’t forget to leave a review for this novel! I can’t stress enough how important it is to leave reviews as this is the lifeblood for indie authors like myself. Social proof is massive when it comes to new readers and the main deciding factor on whether a new reader will take a chance on an author. Please take a minute to review, even if it’s just through the star rating, as it will help bring more fans to the YJBLiterary Metaverse! You can also sign up for the newsletter to get access to your FREE copy of my prequel! Thank you all again, and see you at the finish line!

-Yuri Jean-Baptiste

Newsletter link: YJBLiterary

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HISTORY OF ELYSIA

When reality and time came to be, Elyon awoke within the Chaos of existence. The God of Life saw the potential amidst the Chaos, and He crafted the heavens as He saw fit, instilling Order. Using His limitless powers, Elyon designed the celestial bodies of the universe from His mind and molded His vision into reality. Everything Elyon created was beautiful and born of light. He separated the Chaos from His creations, confining it within a separate realm called the Underworld, which was sealed away forever.

Once the heavens were complete, Elyon turned His attention to the creation of the world, one which would reflect His beauty. The God of Life manifested Elysia from His own essence, forging the land from its molten core to its wide, boundless skies. He filled it with rolling hills, seas of sand, lush green forests, grand mountains, and deep oceans of wonder.

When this was complete, Elyon stood back and was pleased with His work, yet He realized He was lonely and wished to create life to share in the glory of His creation. The Grand Architect began with the Faeyries, beings who would watch over the flora and fauna of the world, ensuring nature remained in balance. Elyon modeled them after His beauty and artistry. Next, He created the Haranaes, protectors and crafters of the earth. They would work the land and tame the harshest of elements, focusing on the inner workings of creation rather than their external appearance. The Haranae reflected His resilience and peacefulness. Elyon's next design was the Merfolks, beings who would look after the vast oceans of the world. Endlessly curious and naturally protective of their watery home, they were mirrors of His intelligence and wisdom. Lastly, Elyon created Mankind. These were His favorites, made in His image, and Elyon breathed His life into them. He blessed this species with His ambition and honor, and though their lifespan was short, their light burned the brightest.

Unable to interact directly with the First Four because of His divine power, Elyon summoned forth extensions of Himself to intercede for the species: Adon and Eloa. The Twins would be beloved among the First Four, granting them the attributes needed to thrive within the world. They decided that Adon would be the one to descend to Elysia to live amongst the people, while His brother remained with Elyon to offer wisdom and guard over the afterlife, a place of eternal peace and happiness known as the Fields of Euphoria.

Desiring to see His creations flourish both within Elysia and in the afterlife, Elyon manifested The Wanderer, an eidolon of peace, with the purpose of shepherding the people into the Fields. Elyon also used The Wanderer as a messenger, issuing warnings to ward off the influence of evil and Chaos. Though the Underworld was a separate realm sealed from Elysia, the power of Chaos could still penetrate and influence the world just as easily as heaven itself.

As the populations grew in number, they learned to live with one another in peace, each developing their own unique culture and traditions. An era of peace and prosperity, dubbed The Golden Age, lasted for centuries, and all appeared well with the world. However, there came to be one, a Faeyra named Vehdite, who struggled to accept Mankind's place in the world. Jealous to the point of rage, he allowed Chaos to influence and corrupt his heart. Longing to take control of the world as the Humans did, the Faeyra discovered the power contained within the Underworld and accidentally stumbled upon the dark art of soulcraft.

Realizing the potential of the sinister arcane energy, Vehdite plotted to corrupt the peaceful beings of Elysia, starting with the first of Elyon’s creations, blissful Faeyries. Promising power and beauty unimaginable, Vehdite coerced many of his people into performing abominable rituals to grant him further power. In the end, these Faeyries fell victim to his deceptions, exchanging their souls for power and transforming into the vile beings known as Emortuus.

The further his followers fell into corruption, the stronger Vehdite became, until eventually, he achieved the status of a demigod. Once he had assembled a formidable army and amassed his dark power, Vehdite declared war upon Mankind. Many brutal years of war followed, and the War of the Fallen devastated much of Elysia in its terrible wake. It lasted for over a century, culminating in an epic clash known as the Battle of the Scorched Lands. To his dismay, Vehdite found himself overthrown by the power of Adon, who sacrificed Himself to banish the evil Emortuus into the Underworld and exile his followers to the northeast, where the Emortuus now live. Furious, Vehdite vowed to get his revenge and regain his place within Elysia once more.

Sadly, the world was forever changed because of Vehdite’s treachery. Adon’s assistance came at a high cost, the twin sacrificing Himself to protect the people and depleting His abilities. With Adon forced to return to the afterlife, They sent Eloa in His stead to help lead the people. Thus, the Armor of Elyon was forged, imbued with Eloa’s essence, the pieces infused and granting the wearer great power and wisdom.

The Emortuus were now a separate people, led by the vengeful spirit of their fallen leader. The world had access to soulcraft, which led to the spread of Chaos upon the world and corruption of those who practiced the dark art. There were many within Elysia who committed to mastering soulcraft for their own gains, using the magical source to wreak havoc upon the world. All the while, the Emortuus grew in size, using their sordid rituals to strengthen their numbers and summon forth demonic beasts known as Forsaken Ones.

Vehdite also convinced Qudon, a notorious Human in his own right, to join him, promising the criminal power over his people. The despicable man helped the Emortuus kidnap unsuspecting humans, tormenting them until their bodies and spirit were no more. The Orcs were born of this terrible deed and continue to be forged based on mankind’s genetics, though few know of this vile act. Qudon eventually joined Vehdite in the Underworld, committing himself as a demigod to his twisted creations.

After centuries of plotting, Vehdite came to realize that he could cause mankind to destroy themselves, and the Lord of the Fallen created the Seven Downfalls. These vile monsters could bring out the worst in the citizens of Elysia, enslaving them to their base desires and vices. And thus, the Freedmen have been battling ever since, consumed by the never-ending war between good and evil.

This is the history of Elysia.

-Collected through the writings of Jean, last of the Twelve, recorded in The Scrolls of Dawn

PART ONE: THE LOST SHEEP

(Year 747; Maha, 10th of Penael)

Prologue

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Dead bodies were not an unusual occurrence along the outskirts of Kerkeliz. They were often the unfortunate consequence of starvation, an ambush by devious raiders upon unsuspecting travelers, or from incurring the wrath of the local Lord. The latter was more likely. Regardless of how it got there, a corpse was a common sight for the villagers, viewed more as a nuisance than a novelty these days. However, when those carcasses bore teeth marks the size of a Haranae’s forearm, that’s when the people got to talking and fussing about the hamlet. That’s when the Kerkeliz lawmen were told to get off their lazy butts and patrol the borders, to keep an eye out for potential disturbances.

Not that the warnings and criticism meant much to Akeem. The seasoned, grizzled lawman was born and raised in the impoverished hamlet of Kerkeliz and had seen his fair share of Forsaken Ones roaming around the edge of their borders. It was not a common occurrence, by any stretch of the imagination. After all, what did the quiet hamlet contain that would be of any interest to the monsters? It said a lot about a village when not even the dirge of the Underworld wished to associate themselves with you.

But that didn't mean Akeem was foolish enough to dismiss the events. The aging lawman had seen firsthand what a raging Lucasin could do to an unfortunate soul. It wasn't pretty.

Amir, on the other hand, was a greenhorn, a boy barely old enough to shave the brown whiskers peeking out of his stubby little chin. They had only accepted the freshly appointed lawman into the office because of his father's favor in the meager court of Lord Mido Nahas, the ruler of their small backwater village.

Akeem hated doing these patrol rounds alongside someone with so little experience, but the rest of the lawmen were scared witless following their latest discovery—an abandoned caravan only two miles away from the hamlet. Initially, the patrol who discovered the scene believed it to be a band of gypsies who had set up shop within the tall, thick grass of the wilds, hoping to earn a few spare jewels while they traveled. However, after several days of inactivity, the curious lawmen investigated the area more closely. What they found disturbed them deeply and left them galloping at full speed to alert the others.

Akeem was one of the first lawmen to inspect the gruesome remains. He did not blame any of his partners for their initial reactions: the shudders of revulsion, the groans of disgust, or the paling of skin as they stood over the carnage. If he was honest with himself, Akeem mirrored their feelings, yet decades of practice had taught the man to disguise his emotions effectively.

Akeem didn't wish for any of the new recruits to see how shaken he was while analyzing the disturbing scene. It wouldn't do them any good, and besides, they needed someone to take the lead and make sense of the carnage. If they were lucky, this was an isolated incident, and whatever beast or monster responsible for the mess had meandered away from their peaceful hamlet.

Akeem had seen some vicious monster attacks during his time working as a member of the Kerkeliz policing force, but this level of savagery was something different. Something evil. From what he could decipher among the wreckage, there were anywhere between six and nine bodies strewn around the wagons. Based on the remains, two were Haranaes while the rest were Human. Limbs and entrails lay scattered about, mixed with the shattered pieces of wood from the transports, making it difficult to differentiate between remains and miscellaneous travel items. The sheer volume of blood didn't make things any easier.

The monsters had left little to identify themselves, though Akeem had noticed two distinguishing factors that helped narrow down what they were dealing with. First, was the creatures’ footprints: two oddly aligned divots shaped like a V that were imprinted around the trampled grass. They appeared insectoid in their appearance, but their massive size and clawed ends led Akeem to dismiss this theory. There were several tracks around the wagons, and though their lengths varied, they were all quite large.

The second notable finding was the teeth marks. Ten large teeth, nearly the length of Akeem's arms, were imprinted in the bodies of the poor victims, tearing their flesh to ribbons. The teeth pattern was unusual as well, set in a circular arrangement that left oblique, ridged bite marks all across the bodies. Akeem had never seen impressions like these before, but he knew one thing: they left an awful mess.

So, how long do you think we have to be out here, sir?

Akeem shook his head, snapping out of the grizzly reverie, and turned to stare at the wide eyes of young Amir. The lad couldn't be a day over seventeen with that spindly frame and baby face. Heck, the kid’s voice had barely acquired some reasonable bass to it. The uniform Amir wore was much too large for him, to where it was almost comical.

Almost.

They really need to prioritize equipping us properly, Akeem ruminated. I've been at this for over thirty years now, and I'll be damned if it doesn't get worse with each passing year. If that blasted Mido Nahas wouldn't spend all that bloody tax money on his own pleasures, maybe we could afford some decent uniforms and weapons that aren’t covered in rust!

Akeem sighed as he pushed aside his frustrations. There was no use grumbling to himself. It wouldn’t change anything. The world was as it was, and there was little the man could do to affect this somber fact.

Instead, the man turned his attention to the serene evening sky, noting the positions of the moons as a cool breeze flittered around his cloak. The breeze continued onward as it bowed the tall grass to its will, the plants ebbing and flowing like waves upon a sea of green. It was a beautiful spring night, and Hielik had just cleared the horizon, the third of the five moons indicating that a quarter of the night had passed. Nights like these set Akeem’s soul at ease. Though there were no clouds present along the inky black sky, the lights of the three moons were enough to bathe the land in their pale, white glow.

Don’t be a fool. I'd at least give it until Jundiel shows its face, the older patrolman muttered, shaking his head at the teen. We've only been out here a few hours past dusk. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet already, boy.

I'm not getting cold feet, the young man protested as he frowned at his superior. I was just curious, that's all. I was hoping to face these damned monsters sooner. There’s a pretty young lass waiting for me back at the cottage that I'm itching to get back to. Besides, I don't want my muscles aching from sitting on this bloody horse all evening. I'd rather fight these bastards while I’m fresh and alert.

Akeem snorted in response and rolled his eyes. The teen was trying too hard to impress the older lawman. Akeem doubted the lad had even kissed a girl yet, let alone bedded one, and from the way his voice cracked and trembled, there was no part of him that desired to go toe-to-toe with a Forsaken One tonight. The boy had a slight quiver as he rode upon his measly mount that had nothing to do with the evening's chill temperature.

A long stretch of silence ensued before Amir interrupted it with yet another asinine question.

So, Amir began as he cleared his throat, how long have you been doing these patrols? If you don’t mind me asking.

Akeem shrugged while he eyed the young man. Nearly twice as long as you’ve been alive, son. Been chasing after bandits and beasts since I could remember.

Did you always want to be a lawman?

Not a chance, Akeem replied, stroking his coarse salt-and-pepper beard. Thought I would wind up out here in the wild. Become a ranger, just like in the legends and tall tales. Saving damsels in distress, killing monsters with my bare hands, and living with the forest folk with no rules to hold me down.

Amir scratched his thin, black hair thoughtfully at the response. So, what happened? Why didn’t you?

Because I got smart, that’s why, Akeem scoffed. Damsels swoon for knights and politicians, depending on who’s got the fatter purse. Monsters fight back, and they don’t fight fair. As for the forest, I dare you to take two steps into Agraven on your own. I promise you, you’ll find yourself on the wrong end of a well-aimed Faeyran skewer by the time you take that third.

Akeem stifled a grin while he watched Amir’s brown eyes widen at the mention of the reclusive Faeyries to the north. He was exaggerating, of course, but only slightly. The Faeyries were not fond of uninvited guests in their homeland, and none desired to pass through the backwater hamlet of Kerkeliz. Akeem had perhaps seen less than a handful wander by his entire life, and none lingered longer than a few hours. There wasn’t much reason to stay in the impoverished town, even for those unfortunate enough to live there.

My father was a lawman of Kerkeliz, as was his father before him. I would walk in their footsteps eventually, though it was never my first choice, Akeem admitted. I was perhaps a little older than you when I put on the uniform.

How old were you when you killed your first monster? Amir asked, youthful curiosity clearly visible on his dark brown face.

Akeem grimaced at the question. Elyon Almighty, kid. Are you always this talkative on a patrol?

Amir lowered his eyes and shrugged, turning his face away while their horses continued to walk beneath moonbeams. Just curious, is all, the young man pouted. The others say I won't become a true lawman until I slay my first Forsaken One. I figure once I do, they’ll start taking me more seriously. I know I'm young, but I believe if I had the chance, I could take on those damned monsters with the best of them.

Akeem felt a pang of guilt at his earlier response, remembering what it was like to carry dreams of grandeur, and the senior lawman took the time to stretch a bit in his saddle. It was not yet midnight, but it felt like ages since the man had done a patrol for such a length of time. He preferred to assign those tasks to younger, more vigorous folks than he, but these circumstances required an experienced pair of eyes and skill set.

After a few minutes passed in awkward silence, Akeem turned back to the aspiring lawman. I killed my first monster five years into the job. It was a stray Lucasin that had wandered from its pack and was scavenging for any weakened prey it could find in the nearby woods. We dug up a few unsuspecting travelers on the receiving end of its hunts, so I and a handful of other local lawmen put an end to it.

"You took on a full-grown Lucasin? And survived?" Amir murmured, leaning on the edge of his seat as he sat engrossed by the tale.

Obviously, you dolt, Akeem stated with a roll of his eyes. Now, don't go off thinking I'm some sort of paladin, kid. Them folks are for fairy tales, ain’t nothing special about me. And if I’m being honest, the ugly bastard was famished to the point of death by the time we found it. Those things need plenty of sustenance to maintain a body of that size. You could practically see its skeleton, it had gotten so thin.

Akeem shuttered slightly, reminiscing on the night's events, and the man rubbed a gloved hand over his face. Even half-starved, that blasted beast didn’t go down without a fight. I've never seen anything move so fast in my life. There was so much intensity in its movements. So much rage…

Akeem's eyes glazed over as his mind wandered back to the battle. It wasn't until the young teen cleared his throat that the lawman could snap from his reverie and resume his story.

Anyway, Akeem continued, shaking his head, we discovered where it was bedding in the forest and encircled it. Two archers and three swordsmen against a lone, starving, half-dead Lucasin. And we only just made it out alive. I lost three officers that night, and the only other survivor was so badly maimed she was bed ridden for the rest of her life.

Poor woman, Amir murmured. She could never put on the uniform again?

Losing both legs and an arm will do that to you, Akeem muttered. The seasoned veteran suddenly wished he had a jug of spirits upon him, something to help wash down those painful memories. It's not all about glory and recognition, kid. Putting on this uniform comes at a price. And it damn sure isn't what it used to be.

What do you mean by that? Amir inquired, arching an eyebrow.

Akeem snorted at the teen’s naïveté. Look around you, Amir. You may be too young to notice it now, but surely even you must sense there's something wrong with our world. Within our own hamlet, even. Rumors of the spreading darkness, the increasing number of Forsaken Ones wandering our lands. Corruption is rampant to where it’s even reached a hole in the wall like Kerkeliz.

Akeem spat on the ground in disgust as he felt the embers of passion stir within him. And it's only gotten worse ever since they installed Lord Nahas to oversee our village. The extortionate rules he's implemented, the crooked lawmen he's brought in to replace some of the honest men and women who used to patrol our hamlet. I swear, it's only a matter of time before we join the rest of the world, burning in the ash and fires of the Underworld.

You shouldn't say things like that, Amir scolded in a hushed tone, turning his head away from Akeem. The alarmed teen scanned their surroundings as if he expected clandestine agents to pop out from the open field at the mere mention of their ruler’s name. Open dissent is punishable by public flogging. We serve the Lord Nahas and must enforce the rules he has implemented upon Kerkeliz, regardless of how we may feel about them. Our most holy ruler, King Jaheem, has appointed him—

Akeem grabbed the teen by his collar and pulled him close, nearly throwing Amir off his mount. We serve the people, boy. And don't you ever forget it. My feelings and beliefs are my own, and I’ll be damned if anyone thinks they can come in and take them from me, appointed or not. And if you have a mind to breathe a word of this to anybody, I promise you it won't be the Forsaken Ones you'll be lying awake at night worried about.

Amir quivered as he stared into the stern eyes of the veteran officer, and Akeem could have sworn he smelt the faint stench of urine seeping from the side of the boy’s trembling leg. Akeem was opening his mouth to say more on the matter when he heard the snapping of a branch echo from the edge of the woods to his left. The man froze at attention and resettled Amir back into his seat. Akeem turned his head in the direction where he had identified the noise and inspected the area.

The edge of the woods was perhaps 200 yards away, and though it was a clear night, it was still difficult to see from this distance. Akeem’s aging eyes were not what they used to be, and while the meager clumps of pine trees around Kerkeliz were thin and widely spaced out, a resourceful creature could still conceal itself among the foliage. There was nothing but the wilds between the two lawmen and the woods, which meant the grass in these parts was nearly up to his thigh, even on horseback. If he had indeed heard a noise, Akeem would need to be vigilant to spot its origin.

What is it? Did you hear something?

The older man gestured for Amir to be quiet while he continued to stare toward the woods. For a moment, all appeared calm, and Akeem wondered whether he was simply hearing things.

But then he saw it.

The gentle swaying of the grass, the tall blades bending slightly along the wood’s edge, as if something was crossing over into the field.

What in the world? Akeem murmured as he held his gaze, observing the discreet movement. It wasn't until he saw three thin red bands peek over the top of the grass that Akeem realized the gravity of their predicament. Straining to see further, Akeem noticed the bands ended in pointed tips, like curved daggers, and they slithered in the air like…

Tentacles, Akeem realized. By the horns of Vehdite…

Several clicking sounds reverberated around him, reminiscent of bats crying out in a cave. Akeem could almost feel the echoes bouncing off his still frame, and the man trembled in terror.

Elyon above, tell me I'm imagining things. Tell me those aren't…

The grass parted like waves as the field exploded into sudden life.

Run! Akeem cried out to Amir, yanking his horse toward Kerkeliz and digging into the side of his brown mare.

What’s happening? Amir called from behind him, trying desperately to keep pace with the panicked old man. What did you see?

It’s a Voraxx! Akeem replied, glancing behind them to see how fast their foes were approaching. The lawman’s eyes widened as the tall grass parted at a breakneck speed, the distance between hunter and prey quickly closing. To his credit, Amir did his best to maintain his stride with Akeem’s horse, the confused teen lowering himself against his stallion’s neck as he pressed onward.

Voraxx?! Are you mad? Amir disputed. Those things are myths! Besides, don’t they dwell in the desert? None has ever ventured this far into our lands.

Those monsters might be a myth, but if you don’t hurry along, you’ll soon discover that a painful death is a very real thing!

Taking Akeem’s warning to heart, both lawmen pressed their feet into the sides of their mounts, pushing them to intensify the pace. Akeem identified the clicks and pings bouncing all around him as the monsters continued to track their targets from the shelter of the high grass. From what Akeem remembered through the various tall tales and drunken claims of travelers, Voraxxes were blind and required the use of echolocation to decipher their surroundings. The lawman prayed the tall grass would make things difficult for their pursuers. Judging by the speed of the monsters, he prayed in vain.

The two lawmen were perhaps a mile away from Kerkeliz and he could see the familiar outline of the tiny hamlet from the distance. Their poor excuses for horses were struggling to keep up with their riders’ demands, and their stride shortened with each ragged and strained breath. Akeem looked to the side to see Amir’s brown skin covered in sweat, a combination of fear and exertion. The seasoned officer flinched at the terrifying screeches of the closing Voraxxes and knew it was only a matter of seconds before they caught up.

It would not be possible for the pair to make it to the safety of the village in time.

Akeem gritted his teeth, coming to the only solution he could muster in the brief time he still had left. Keep moving, Amir! he ordered the young man, swinging around his horse. Ride as fast as your stallion can take you. Don’t look back, and whatever you do, don’t stop!

But—

Do as you’re commanded, boy!

The last memory Akeem had of the teen was the distraught look of understanding as Amir nodded in resignation. The young boy aged several years in that brief moment, blinking away tears before he prodded his mount forward. Akeem returned his attention to their enemies, gulping down the fear which threatened to release the bile inching up his gullet. The man shook the sweat from his dark skin and tried to gather his labored breath while he waited. Rather than the pitiful whimper he desired to squeak out, the man roared in defiance instead.

Come on, you bastards! If it’s human flesh you crave, seek no further! I’ll make sure you get your fill, along with a taste of steel, Akeem declared, pulling out his rusted sword from its scabbard. The lawman’s blade was a paltry excuse for a weapon, worn down and chipped from the years of overuse and poor material. Yet Akeem hoped that beneath the moonlight, combined with his false bravado, he struck an imposing figure to the monsters ahead.

Akeem quickly came to understand that he did not.

Like a school of sharks sensing blood in the waters, the Voraxx closed in on their