Tales of the Vangen: The Siege of Middengard (Book 2)

Chapter 66: Futility

It was over. They had lost. All of their planning. All of their hopes and dreams. Gone. Libro could only sit there helplessly as Raylein's monstrosity came to life. It stood at full height now, towering over the Stelecaster by a head, its baleful eyes unlike anything he'd seen before.

It turned to regard him and a chill ran through his aching body. Fire burned at the end of his ruined stump, coursing up an arm that was no longer there. It made his mind itch, made his body scream, made him beg for the sweet release of death. Better than where he was now. A broken soldier. A failed Captain. A stupid, impetuous child of a man.

"Captain," Raylein's voice purred in Libro's waning clarity. "You better not be dying on me. You know I'm a man who likes to keep his promises." The Stelecaster turned to regard him, slow, even steps followed by the loud clank of boots as the suit of armor walked beside. "The rest, however, were not part of the deal."

"Stop," Libro burbled, his aching tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. "I surrender. We surrender."

"Captain!" Civis crawled desperately towards him, armor scraping as he forced his will against Raylein's magick. "Don't do it!"

"Surrender?" Raylein's cruel smile grew ever wider. "But I've already won. I see no need to accept such a request." With a flick of his gaze he regarded the winged, metal monster. "Go. Kill everyone outside of the mountain. Leave nothing alive."

"No!" Libro cried, but it was too late. With a flap of its massive wings, the beast took off, soaring up towards the open roof. He could only lay there helplessly as it disappeared from view, his last gambit gone with it. "Fecking shit."

"You know, Captain." Raylein leaned over to study the walking suit of armor. "I have to admit even I'm amazed at my own handiwork. Truth is, something like this has never been field tested before. How about we learn together, hmm?"

Libro grit his teeth, too tired and too in pain to play Raylein's games anymore. He merely glared at him, hoping in some capacity that one could kill a man with a stare. The Stelecaster merely shrugged, happy to continue hearing his own voice.

"How about we start with mobility and dexterity. Who do you think I should kill first?"

"What?" Libro's breath came out in a choking snort.

Raylein chuckled. "So you can speak. Wonderful! I'll ask again, who should I kill first? Your Imperial lapdog? Your Austerland snake. Your," and he regarded Elba's unconscious form with a beckoning hand. "Native delights."

"Kill yourself, bastard!" Libro lurched forward, tried to stand up, but his crippled leg wouldn't cooperate. He'd lost too much blood already. His feet were like sacks nerveless goo, slipping and sliding until he fell face first onto the platform.

"Stubborn to the very last. You Rahsons are a strange breed. Took an Empire just to pacify you." Raylein shrugged. "But I suppose that's why they chose to keep you as their royal guard. Regardless, I think I've made my choice." With a snap of his fingers the suit of armor took up its sword. "Kill the girl."

"No!" Cent roared, muscles straining in his armor as he tried to stand up.

"Don't you touch her!" Moss screamed alongside, bloody teeth flashing from his green beard.

Their cries fell on deaf ears as the sword was poised over Elba, tip hovering at her throat. Libro blinked back his tears, tried to stand up, only for an invisible force to push him back down. Raylein stood over, hand out, shaking ever so slightly. "Look at me, Captain. Look into my eyes. I want to savor these last few moments together."

The collar around Libro's neck tightened and he was forced to crane his neck, staring deeply into the Stelecasters' forge colored eyes. Iron gray boiled behind a glow of molten red. As if Gahenna itself burned within him.