On the Evil Scale: Keeper of La Tecla (The Key) Book Two

Another night on the Isle passed and warriors slept in their tents and spare rooms at the Inn, although somewhat cramped because of the larger, unexpected numbers. It was 10:45 in the evening when Caleb, pacing the wall, watching on a monitor screen he held in hand, had bounced back the vide feed from a military drone that Derek without argument, willingly offered. Modified to travel a further distance, the gadget was also infused with a magical source that allowed it swiftly pass through the foggy barrier that surrounded the island, without its battery draining down completely. Hovering across the vast Irish Sea toward the mainland, it scouted for signs of Drakuul’s advancement but there was nothing, nothing at all and that was unsettling. Listening to music on his iPod with a rhythmic drum solo, he bobbed his head to the dramatic rhythm, watching as the footage scanned the ground below, recording a unit of 13 vehicles making their way toward Penrith. Removing his ear-buds, and hiding them away in his pocket, he tapped the screen, pulling up the map.

“Sh*t…” he mumbled, following their direction headed straight for the quiet town. Raising his gaze, he called out urgently, “Nick, Justin, Wyatt!” he searched the wall, the sped toward them, gathering close, “Mates, look at this…” he showed them the screen, “they’re not ours, and I don’t think they’re Penrith’s either. They have no logo or name, so…” he pondered.

“Where are they headed?” Nick questioned.

“Penrith, according to the map.” Caleb showed the map.

“I’ll find Yza and let her know, in the meantime, you call Nikolaas.” Wyatt affirmed, looking at the three Wraiths, “This is just the start.” he nodded then turned, disappearing in a swirling blue flame. Once he appeared outside the mortal dwelling, hearing voice laughing and cheering from inside, he quietly entered the lounge, standing by the door. Folding his arms, listening to the gasps of fear and surprise by the current horror film playing on screen, he shuffled his feet then as his eyes scanned the lounge, he pressed the matter, reaching out to her mind telepathically, “Yza? Yza, it’s Wyatt. We need to talk…”

Holding onto Anthony, closing my eyes from the scene, I then heard Wyatt’s voice speaking over my own thoughts. Raising my gaze, and turning toward the door, there stood the tall Demon by the door in the shadows of the room.

Lady D and Anthony looked at her, taking notice that something had drawn her attention away from the move. Turning around, they both followed her gaze, seeing Wyatt standing there hesitant before he stepped forward.

“Wyatt, what’s wrong?” I stood, quickly veering around the couch.

“Look, I know it’s late and I’m sorry, but…” Wyatt fretted, “Caleb’s been watching feed from the drone, you know about that, and there are…” he quickly explained the activities on the mainland at that very moment, “I don’t know if they’re Nikolaas’ or Steven’s, but the vehicles aren’t marked.” he shifted, placing his hands on his hips, “So, something’s not right. Nick, Caleb and Justin are trying to get a hold of them now.”

“Oh my god…” I gasped a little too loudly.

“Shh…” someone called out over their shoulder, “come on.”

Stretching out wings, Abraxas released a loud screech, silencing their rudeness, and it worked. The other residents sunk into the couch and their eyes bulged wide, watching as the dragon slowly crawled along the back of the curved couch.

“Mierda…” I cursed in my Spanish tongue, “thank you.” I nodded at Wyatt, then turned, walking around the couch toward the TV and turned it off, “sorry, but movie night is over down here. I’ll send the link to your rooms, this is important.” I grabbed the TV’s iPad and held it close, tapping quickly on several tabs and buttons, sending the links as promised.

“Yzavela, is everything all right?” a woman asked.

Looking at her, I sighed softly.

“No.” I groaned, “Before I tell you anything, I need the facts first.” I nodded toward her, then glanced around the lounge, “Please, go and enjoy the movie upstairs.” I turned away from her.

“Tell me this isn’t happening.” Lady D complained softly, shifting in her place on the couch, petting Freya’s soft fur as she laid in her lap.

Fiddling with the HMDI cord, plugging it into the iPad and TV, it converted into one gadget, everything I touched or typed on the iPad, was visible for Wyatt, Anthony and my mom to see with their own eyes. Sitting on the table in front of the large, thin holographic screen, I dialed Penrith’s number, listening as it rang four time before Steven finally answered, looking as if he were sleeping with messy hair.

“Steven?” I urged.

“Yz-Yzavela?” he muttered, rubbing his eyes, “Wh-what time is it, why are you calling so late?”

“I don’t have time to explain, but…” I turned to Wyatt, beckoning him forward to relay the events, having seen it with his own eyes. As the Demon explained the details further, voices gasped behind us. I turned, seeing many men and women standing on the staircase, and as I stood, leaving Wyatt to finish, I approached them gently, “Look, if any of you have friends or loved ones in Penrith, call them now and let them know what’s coming, before something horrific happens. Go…” I urged them up the stairs, then turned, hearing Steven’s voice calling for me over the call, “yeah, Steven? I’m here…” I rushed back to the TV, appearing on screen.

“I was just telling Wyatt that we don’t have any vehicles sent out at the moment, and certainly ones that aren’t labeled.” the Wraith grew a deep frown, changing his handsome features, “Tell me that this is not happening.”

“Wish I could, but…it is.” I fretted, looking away, back toward my mom and Anthony, then toward Zanzabarr and Abraxas, before my eyes glanced into Wyatt’s blue, saddened eyes.

Hearing voices shouting loudly behind him, Steven groaned.

“One moment…” he disappeared out of view.

“Sure.” I straightened my posture. Staring at Steven’s wall, I couldn’t make out much of the decor because there were no lights turned on, but I could see some sort of a plaque where there were badges and what looked to be an antique musket and rifle set hanging nearby. As I reached forward, enhancing the audio, it allowed us to listened to Steven’s voice greeting someone at the door that swung open quickly by the sound of it.

“It’s good you’re here.” the Wraith moaned.

“What’s going?” Nikolaas’ Hungarian voice pestered.

“Qué está sucediendo?” Roberto’s Spanish voice questioned, for he wanted to know what’s going on.

“Hello?” I called out, scanning the room over the call, “Steven?” and no sooner did I summon his name, he reappeared on screen in a swift blur, “I heard Nikolaas and Roberto, are they there with you?”

“Yes, we’re here.” Nikolaas appeared behind the Englishman.

“Yzavela, what’s going on?” Roberto squeezed himself into the frame.

“Bluntly spoken?” I sighed, “Invaders from the Great City, and even though I didn’t see the footage for myself, I know it in my bones that they’re part of the General’s militia.” I revealed, “There are residents here that are calling friends or loved ones there, sending warning so they have a chance to get out and I suggest that you do that same.” I nodded urgently.

“How long do we have?” Steven frowned.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, then looked at Wyatt.

“By the looks of things, I’d say maybe an hour, two tops, but at the speed they were going from the footage, maybe less.” Wyatt finished.

“All right…” Nikolaas nodded, “all right, thank you.” he looked at her and the Demon on screen.

“You’re welcome.” I offered a comforting smile, “I’m going to alert everyone here on the island, so they can be prepared for you and your people, this is the only place where you’ll be safe and don’t you dare think about arguing with me about it.” I affirmed.

Studying her face over the screen, staring into her dark eyes, the tall Hungarian agreed, as did Steven and Roberto.

“We will do what we have to.” Roberto added, then sped away.

“He’s right.” Nikolaas nodded, then he too, disappeared from sight.

“Thank you, love.” Steven added, “Truly.” he nodded, then quickly ended the call.

Staring at the blank-black screen, with only our faint reflections that stared back at us, I combed my hands through my hair, then let out a deep sigh, turning to my mom and Anthony. Unplugging the iPad, I coiled the HDMI cord tightly, studied the curious faces watching me.

“I’m going to need a lot of help.” I moaned.

“You have it.” Lady D gently chased Freya off her lap, the stood.

“Always.” Anthony too, stood and nodded with a warm grin.

“We’ll help.” voice erupted fro the staircase.

“We’re not warriors but we’ll help.” a man advised.

“Thank you.” I felt at ease, then clapped loudly, “Let’s do this.” I cleared my throat, “I’ll send word via the broadcast system then you and the Guardians will sound the bells upon the wall and RP&V, let the island hear the warning, and by that time, the message should’ve been received.” I looked around, ordering firmly, “And just to make sure it’s taken seriously, I’ll sound the alarm.” I reached for the iPad.

“Got it.” Wyatt nodded, then stomped across the lounge quickly and urgently returning to his post on the wall.

Scanning the apps and studying the system that was put in place by my own ideas and tech-savvy knowledge, I found the alarm that I had designed for the island. Looking at my mom and Anthony, my hand shook before pressing the button. As they approached, standing next to me, I let out a deep sigh then firmly pressed the red button on the screen, and within a matter of seconds and minutes, a loud alarm had rung over the speakers in the dwellings, steampunk watches, phones and over the broadcast system.

“Now it’s done.” I looked at my mom and Anthony, then continued to give commands, “Where’s Beth?” I searched for the older woman that occupied one of the rooms downstairs, but she wasn’t present and must have still been at the hospital, “Mommy...” I turned to her, tucking the iPad under my arm, “I want you and Katrina to go to the hospital and tell both Matthews and Beth what’s going on, they are going to have a busy evening in case of injuries.” my eyes glanced in the other woman’s direction, “Can you do that, Katrina?”

“Of course.” the witch nodded eagerly, willing to put aside her dislike for young woman that was trying to keep everything together, “Lady D, come…” she beckoned the woman forward.

“Mommy, go…” I leaned in, hugging her quickly. Watching as she and Katrina scampered through the lounge outside, I quickly turned to Anthony, “And you, I want you to go to RP&V with Thomas and inform the harbor men to expect a rush of Wraiths and Demons that might be teleporting on the harbor and dock, maybe even the lower parts of the shoreline.” I placed my hands on his chest, “I love you.”

“I love you.” Anthony whispered.

“Thank you.” I leaned in, kissing him quickly, then pulled away. I watched as he backed away, before disappearing outside with a rush of residents, “You two, come with me.” I summoned both Abraxas and Zanzabarr, as I too, rushed outside with the thick crowd of the mortal residents. Glancing across the estate toward the garage, there were men and women urgently emerging as if the dwelling were on fire.

Suddenly, Caleb appeared behind Yzavela and her companions, once again, unintentionally startling her; he flinched hearing her squeak and burst of Aura that burned the grass and bushes nearby.

“Caleb!” I snapped, turning to him.

“Sorry…” he hunched with a wide smile, “sorry.” he raised his hands.

“I swear yo god…you’re lucky that you’re adorable and I love you.” I shook my head. Seeing his smile grow wider, I put him in place, “No, not like that.” I raised an affirmative finger, “Now why are you here?”

“Thought you wanted to see this.” the Wraiths’ smile faded, handing her his iPad, “Sh*t out there on the mainland, s really hittin’ the fan.” he watched as she scanned through the images and videos that were capture.

“Oh my god, this isn’t happening.” I worried, watching as lightning storms took place, seeming to look as if it walked across the land. Glancing up at the adorable Wraith who stood, biting his lip, I muttered, “What’s going on out there?”

“I don’t know love, but that’s…that’s some serious sh*t, magically speaking of course.” he shrugged.

“Magically, right.” I returned the iPad.

Venturing outside, watching as the townspeople scampered down the streets, receiving warning to abandon the town, Steven, Nikolaas and Roberto stood on the streets, then heard loud metal clanking. As they turned, they watched as five military M36 tank destroyers with their 90 millimeter guns bolted on their traversing turrets. Six, bright red pickup trucks followed behind with men standing standing in the open back, shining their high beam flashlights up and down the long streets and alleys.

As residents rushed from their homes, apartments and shops, they all observed the disturbance then continued to flee upon the urgent calls and warning from others crowding around them. Pausing in place, it was the sound of the invaders loading their rifles and tanks, while the wheels rattled against the cobblestone ground.

Glancing around, the two Wraiths and Demon shouted out the code word, waving their arms in a panicking manner,

“INVADERS!”

“Grab your things and go!” Steven hissed, “Get to the safe zone, go!”

“But where will we go fro there?!” a woman cried, carrying her son.

Steven studied her and her son, both were dressed in their nightwear, not having the chance the properly dress, much less grab shoes to put on their bare feet.

“The Isle of Castillion…” he approached her, “they’re expecting us.” he turned her around, facing her down the street, “Now go, get you and your son out of here, go!” he flashed his red eyes, startling her.

“But…” she argued, bouncing her son in her arms that began crying.

“NOW!” Nikolaas grunted as he rushed toward, “Neither of us will say it again.” his red demonic eyes stared at her intensely. Watching as she turned, scampering down the streets, the Hungarian turned to Steven and Roberto, sharing brief nods before parting ways.

The invaders, driving their tanks and trucks, scanned the buildings of Penrith, seeing no lights within, only the long lines of street lamps. On the radars that scanned the town, red dots beeped in clusters that spread out in different directions from around the corner closer to the center of the town.

“We’re getting closer, General.” one of the Shayds spoke closely into his radio, “Just around the corner to the right.” he nodded toward the driver of the truck.

“All right, keep a look out.” the General’s voice answered over a brief hiss of loud static, “I honestly don’t care if you capture anyone, I just want to get this done.”

“Yes, Sir.” the Shayd replied, then grinned, “Let’s some fun, yes?” he glanced into the backseat, receiving chuckles and whistles.

As the militia turned the corner, the soldiers packed inside the large, menacingly vehicles, watched as townspeople frantically scampered from shop-to-shop, dwellings and apartments. Loading their rifles and tanks, hearing the loud click that the rounds were in place to fire, without compassion, they aimed and began shooting recklessly; the loud booms of gunfire was unlike anything the townspeople had ever heard.

“There!” one of the men shouted, pointing across the street toward a dwelling where men rushed inside. Turning the rifle on the traversing turret, aiming it toward the figures, he gripped the handles and firmly pressed the trigger of the gatling gun, releasing bullets that were the size of cigars, continuously feeding off the ammunition rounds that hung from its bullet belt-like magazine. Windows shattered and the foundations of the building had been blown apart from the impact made by the rounds. While the solider operating the rifles and gun continued to fire, other soldiers lept off of the back of the trucks or emerged from the tanks, all dressed in military uniforms and armor, gas masks and helmets, attacking the people of the quaint town. As they removed their helmets, some revealed their Nightwalker status as they sped through the streets, tearing out throats and hearts of the stragglers that weren’t fast enough in their escape; the Shayds in the process, released blasts of their magic at the buildings, shattering the windows and destroying the contents within. Shouting in cheer and pride of their work, smiles had grown on their faces as if enjoying the chaos and destruction.

Steven stood close to a handful of men and women, listening to the loud booms, reminding him of his past when he was recruited for the Spanish-American war in 1898, the day that he was turned Wraith.

“Go…” he turned to the frightened men and women behind him. As he sped through the streets, appearing alongside both Nikolaas and Roberto, as well as many other Wraiths and Demons, they blocked off the street, defending their home, “Spare none, save some.” he let out a deep hiss, side eyeing his two friends.

“Mm.” Roberto hissed, clenching his fists.

“Agreed.” Nikolaas’ hands glowed with a dark green hue, “NOW!” he shouted, lunging forward with the others behind him.

Penrith’s Demons and Wraiths were an even match for the invaders, however they suffered wounds from iron bullets and blades that left deep cuts that would heal because of the ore. Piles of Wraith ash had blown in the wind, scattered from the constant shuffling traffic. As the Wraiths and Demons leered with their supernatural red eyes, and hissed or showed their magic, they watched as the invaders released another wave of Nightwalkers and Shayds upon them, but they yet again, defended and attacked fiercely.

When the Demons and Shayds exchanged their arcane magic, all of the bright colors of greens, blues, oranges and red, lit up the streets as if it a festival were taking place, or fireworks being ignited. And the popping and sizzling sounds were unsettling among the gunfire that shot through the air. Barriers and shields shattered like glass, leaving sigils hovering in the air before they were swept away in the fire and smoke. Level 5 Electrokinetic Demons like Nikolaas, released strikes of their powerful arcane magic, looking like a lightning storm was, in a sense, charging through the streets, leaving behind scorch marks in places the bolts struck. The lightning, being drawn from towers that were placed about the town, provided a continuous flow of power.

A General sat in one of the trucks, watching as the town’s Wraiths and Demons wiped through his own militia of Nightwalkers and Shayds. Enjoying the challenge, he was impressed by their ability to defend themselves. Climbing out of the truck whistling loudly, his feet slowly crunched against shattered glass across the cobblestone streets. Walking through the Nightwalkers and Shayds that stepped aside, they hissed and grunted deeply, wanting to continue their hard, and aggressive strikes. Scanning the men across from him, covered in both blood and ash, he grinned, listening to their deep hisses, as well as the Demos’ hands glowing in pulsating hues, recharging for the second, or third, onslaught.

Nikolaas and Steven studied the man that stood tall, dressed in his steampunk armor with large Katanas hanging off his belt.

“Who are you?!” Nikolaas groaned, clenching his fists that sparked in a dull blue shade.

“General Matrx.” his shifted his weight, “You’ve put up a good fight here…” he looked around, gesturing at the town, “but why bother, this town is lost to you now, I claim it.”

“Not while we still draw breath!” Nikolaas raged, clenching his fists.

“I can arrange that, but I want to work this out.” Matrx mocked, as he turned, leaning against the nose of one of the trucks behind him, “I’m looking for someone who…stole something from my brother, and I think that you…” he removed a small throwing dagger from its place somewhere on his belt, pointing it toward the Hungarian, “you and your comrades here, know where he is so let’s make a deal.” he licked his bottom lip, “Tell me where Marxus Castillion is, and I will spare the women and children. If you don’t?” he shrugged, “They’ll be captured, and tortured for information, raped and have the kids fed to the Nightwalkers.” he side eyed the supernatural creatures that hissed aggressively, “They like the taste of children and babies.” he grinned, “And of course, the young boys would used as labor for my brother, sport for my men or they just might become Nightwalkers themselves, so here are your options, pureblood…” he pushed away from the truck, bouncing the blade against the palm of his free hand, “either you tell me what I want to know, or you die. There is really no third option there you get out of this alive. The offer expires in…” he glanced at his watch beneath his gauntlet, “twenty seconds.”

“You think you can come here, and threaten us with your band of…” Steven raged, stepping forward powerfully, “bloodsuckers or Shayds?”

“Threaten, no. Intimidate, yes.” Matrx mocked.

“There is a difference between your Nightwalkers and us.”

“How so, soldier?” Matrx argued, then noticed the look of surprise in the man’s piecing blue eyes, “Yes, I called you a soldier. You have the bearing one, but tell me the difference. I would love to hear it.”

“Why? Haven’t you seen for yourself?” Roberto hissed, gesturing at the ashes that blew across their feet, “We have control, they don’t.”

“Interesting, but look, as tempting as this little, chitchat is back and forth, I don’t have all night for this.” Matrx frowned, stepping away, “Kill them all, but leave those three alive and let the women and their children go!” he ordered loudly, then climbed back into the truck. As he closed the door, watching through the blackened windows, from the glove compartment, he removed a camcorder, beginning to record the scene, while taking several still snapshot of the two Wraiths and Demon, “Interesting indeed.” he muttered.

The two Wraiths and Demon backed away with the others that had gathered around, continuing to deflect the advances of their enemy; the Demons froze bullet mid-air, turning them around having them fire back at the trucks and tanks, causing them explode, killing all of the soldiers that operated, and rode in them; the metal debris flung high into the air, creating powerful explosions that blew out most of the steady foundation of the nearest shops and buildings, collapsing within themselves and onto the streets.

The invaders continued their attacks, releasing the other soldiers that were part of the militia, they were taller, bulkier men and because of their musky-wet dog scent, their Lycynian surprise didn’t hold much sway over the Penrith folk. Flashing their yellow eyes, fangs and long claws, they were beginning their full shifts, ripping off their uniforms.

“They’re shifting!” one of the Demons barked loudly, creating one of many barriers around himself and others.

Other Demons that practiced Biokinesis and Thermokinesis, began using their magic to cease the mens’ shifts long enough to have the Wraiths strike them down with their hands that ripped off their heads, leaving behind their bulky bodies to fall to the ground, while others sunk their venomous fangs deeply into their flesh, injecting them with their vampiric venom that was an instant poison, attacking their immune systems and organs, shutting them down within just a matter of seconds or minutes, depending on the paranormal being.

“Impressive.” Matrx continued watching, not caring that his numbers were dwindling down rather quickly.

As Roberto and Steven worked together to bring down one Lycynian that successfully completely his shift, ripping out his spine from one side, and his throat and lower jaw from the other, the beasts’ body fell forward, oozing his blood onto the cobblestone, mixing with the ash of fallen Wraiths and Nightwalkers. Hissing aggressively, the two Wraiths stood with their hands dripping in blood and their mouths smeared with it from previous bites. Panting in distress, he shared an expression of hopelessness, knowing they lost this war, and the town. As they turned, hearing Nikolaas’ deep grunts as he struggled to push back three level 5 Shayds that persistently bombarded him with their fierce magical blast, the two Wraiths sped forward, quickly snapping the mens’ necks. Once they fell, they glanced at the Hungarian, and shared a respectful nod, before glancing around.

“We can’t stay here, we’re not prepared for this.” Steven urged, but Nikolaas hesitated, hoping they could still defend the town somehow.

“He’s right!” Roberto hissed, “Nikolaas?!”

“I heard you, both of you!” the Hungarian leered at the men with his red demonic eyes, “Tell the others to get out, and to make sure they reach the safe zone, go…” he urged.

“What about you?!” Steven wondered.

“I’ll be right behind you.” Nikolaas nodded, then sharing a brief and unsure handshake, the Hungarian pulled his hand away, turning his attention on the remaining numbers of Nightwalkers, Lycynians and Shayds, or mortals that still seemed to emerge from the tanks as if they were being duplicated from the vehicles themselves.

Steven and Roberto shuffled backwards then reluctantly retreated in swift blurs that disappeared down the street behind the Hungarian that was left behind.

Backing away, watching as the Lycynians stood in their shifted forms, moments before their animalistic urges took over, Nightwalkers all hissing, and the Shayds or mortal soldiers gathered their weapons, the Hungarian level 5 Demon glanced around, taking in the sight of the power lines and towers that hadn’t been damaged from all of the Electrokinetic energy drained from the others around the town. As he closed his red eyes, feeling the electricity buzzing through the long, thick wires, and hearing the generators roaring from use, he began to tap into his level 5 skills, raising his arms with clenched fists that had begun glowing in bright blue energy where violent sparks aggressively struck to-and-from his fingers tips, absorbing all of the electricity. His tall, slender form was outlined brightly, and as he released a loud, shrieking scream the streets lamps exploded and all of the lights had diminished like a blackout, moments before the Hungarian threw out his hands, releasing an endless flow of the gathered energy that began destroying the vehicles, and soldiers, not even the Shayds were strong enough to withstand the level 5 arcane Electrokinetic magic. As the bright spark struck the figures and vehicles, they burnt to crisps as if lightning from the sky came down from the Heavens during a violent storm, and it was, in a sense. Leering toward one of the vehicles that concealed the General and many other Shayds that protected him, he squinted his red eyes, then pushed the bolts toward the truck that, in a matter of seconds, exploded from an overheated engine. Feeling the energy that he produced beginning to drain him quickly, he glanced at his level 5 mark on his right arm, taking notice that it glowed in a way that it had never done before. Stretching out his arms quickly, he then pulled them inward against his chest, creating a massive barrier that glowed and sparked. Looking around, watching as injured men sought safety from his magic, he turned quickly behind him, opening a portal where figures could be seen on the other side.

“Nikolaas!” Steven’s voice called out, before he sped through it with Roberto. Appearing behind the Demon, the two Wraiths stood next to him, watching as his hands continued releasing sparks, “You can’t do this much longer, we have to go!” Steven finished, “Come on…”

“Go, I’m right behind you!” Nikolaas groaned. Watching as the two men sped through the portal in the opposite direction, he took many shuffling steps backwards and just as he threw out his hands, sending another fierce blast of lightning strikes outward, he fell through the portal that closed behind him quickly. Panting heavily, hearing both a loud ringing and his friends’ voices in his ear, he blinked, lying still.

“We have to get him out of here!” Roberto worried.

Steven nodded, then glanced behind him toward many other Demons that rushed forward, helping the Hungarian to his feet. As the two Wraiths led the townsfolk away from the safe zone, they ordered to have portals opened, emerging as one, taking them to Heysham Port.

Matrx, who had managed to leap out of the truck before the level 5 Demons had struck it with his Electrokinetic magic, stood hunched in one of the nearby alleys, he listened as the bolts struck in a series of loud pops. Glancing to his right toward the streets, he watched as smoke and ash blanketed the town in an unpleasant scene. Emerging with whatever Shayds, Nightwalkers and other soldiers that managed to survive, he felt they were too close, hovering closely against him. Turning around, pushing them back, he complained roughly in a tone that held much disappointment and agitation,

“Get the f*ck away from me, you worthless piece of sh*t!”

“Sorry, Sir…” the soldiers grunted, panting.

“F*ck me…” Matrx shouted, kicking nearby debris from the truck.

“Where did he go?!” one of the mortals rasped, as he held a hand to his ribs, suffering a deep gash from one of the Wraiths that swiped a blade.

“It doesn’t matter, they’re gone!” Matrx groaned in complaint, “They couldn’t have gone far, search the town and further out. Use all of the drones if you have to, I want them found NOW and I swear if I hear…” he turned, threatening deeply, “one peep out of any of you, I will not hesitate to add you to the dead that lay here today! Is that…” he scanned the men, “understood?!”

The men gulped, nodding quickly, knowing that without question he would see that threat through without a second thought. Searching for the drones, they left their General to skim through the video that he had recorded.

The streets lay quiet, only smoke crawled across the cobblestone that was cluttered by the bodies of the dead, large bullet casings and glass that crunched beneath Matrx’s feet as he strolled down the road. He then paused, feeling a sudden sting on his right arm. Glancing down, he frowned, studying a large glass shard embedded through the thick fabric of his sleeve. It must have happened before, or after the power storm, he didn’t know, but yanking the shard with a swift pull, the General paid no attention to the pain, throwing it aside somewhere on the ground. Raising his gaze, studying the pub that luckily hadn’t been damaged too much, its windows were shattered inwards and its front doors were crashed in with large planks and splinters still on its hinges. Needing a much needed drink, hoping there was something left, he entered the establishment, stomping his feet on glass from the windows. Veering around the bar’s counter, searching through most of the bottles, he reached for Scotch, quickly screwing off the lid. As he held the bottle to his nose, taking in the strong scent, he gulped it down like there was no tomorrow, and after tonight, there might not have been a tomorrow if that level 5 Demon hadn’t retreated through his portal. Lowering the bottle, he poured some of its sleek liquid on the deep wound on his arm, preventing infection. Slamming the half empty bottle on the counter, the General took notice of the narrow stairs leading upstairs. Removing one of his Katanas, wiping sweat from his brow, curiosity got the best of him as he ascended the steps. Feeling cramped because of his bulk and armor, he shuffled along the top landing, studying the narrow hall where there four bedrooms and an office with their doors left open ajar. Inspecting them quickly, he frowned, finding nothing useful in the bedrooms but found the study held more interest with scattered paperwork and inventory shipments.

“Ah, what’s this?” he raised a curious brow, shifting through them, “I gotcha…” he skimmed through the pages, taking notice that an Isle of Castillion had been mentioned quite frequently, “there you are.” he rolled the papers, tucking them inside the breastplate of his armor, then swept out of the room, stomping down the stairs.