The Hunter's Song II: Lost Blood

Ch 13: Craving (Bold Step)

The little broken shuttle took off and wobbled away toward the mountains. It couldn't escape the atmosphere or go very fast, but I was confident those vile weapons were still intact. It was an obnoxious task keeping that shuttle away from those brainless Graven constructs while simultaneously coordinating a temporary wormhole to expedite the signals transmission.

Five years of planning and waiting...

"I will not be denied..."

A herd of misshapen hyenas trotted up beside me.

THWHIP

I plucked their ugly shaggy heads off and laughed.

The beasts sensed my intent to track down those gullible helpers.

"Morons," I flicked the hyenas' acidic-scented innards off my tentacles.

Minions made excellent cannon fodder and infantry, but their most infuriating specialty was getting in the way.

"I'll need to keep their numbers in check around my little skittering cockroaches for just a tad bit longer," I chuckled to myself while tossing the slippery remains of the hyenas into the noxious bogs nearby.

Initially, I intended to preserve only the female, as she was the overseer of the compound, but that razkur was proving useful in keeping her motivated.

"Though, should he prove too observant I'll have to remove him," the prospect of plucking his ribcage from his spine made the suction cup mouths of my largest tentacles salivate. "I only need one pulse to facilitate false hope and lure in my prey."

But only if that pair gives me no other choice...

I've kept them disoriented and prevented them from lingering in one place too long. The bargain was for everyone in the monastery to die, but I never agreed to a specific timeline.

"Besides, their flesh will taste all the sweeter when I grind them up before Mourning Crow's eyes."

I sprinted through the shadows and crossed the long-since parched meditation gardens girdling the monastery. Half-eaten corpses littered the dirt, while a smattering of minions scavenged for succulent morsels.

Without an intellect to guide them, their only instinct was to multiply and to devour.

Several of the creatures perked up and my presence, but I was quick to impale their skulls before they could submit and seek my quarry.

"They did well to protect my prize before my arrival," I glanced down at the slender black ring in my hand. The glossy endless curve sparked white with promise.

I would require the services of the minions later, but until Mourning Crow's arrival I could not tolerate their interference.

The contract will be fulfilled and I will be rewarded...

Over the centuries, I'd experienced a multitude of textures and sensations since Thorngate, yet all of them were lacking. None of them came close to the one that eluded me and slipped away.

I'd almost forgotten the subtle vibration of her skin and then the Graven tasked me with fetching her and returning her to the garden. At the time, I believed the errand to be a slight on my prowess but I've come to understand that the encounter was destined!

Long ago I dreamt of our union, only to wake up with my lap soaked in a pathetic puddle. I let weakness hold me back from taking all that I wanted.

No more!

I have evolved into so much more and soon I will experience true satisfaction.

The delicate ribbed membranes of Mourning Crow's throat rippled through my thoughts and body. Nothing compared to the sight of her squirming within my tentacles, with her eyes pleading for mercy as I strangled off her breath and informed her of what was coming.

Helpless, futile, MINE!

And then we were so rudely interrupted.

How shitty were her prospects that she chose lizards and bred with them?

"An error easily rectified," I mused to myself while flexing a serrated tentacle.

"A pity I could only convert one of her comrades before retreating," I continued on my trajectory for the little broken shuttle. It was lodged on a mountain ledge a fair distance from the incessant minions.

"Those cannons are cause enough to exterminate the entire Nexus."

The strongest Graven were of conflicting minds when it came to the threat of the warrior empire.

Many recognized the menace and were eager to dispatch vengeance, while others were content to feast as though nothing was happening.

Gluttonous fools... let them rot.

I'd felt the sting of their white fire, watched it vaporize my fellow Slayers, and understood all too well that it was only a matter of time until they discovered a method for desecrating a Graven.

They will be judged and smited!

The latter of which I'd already set into motion.

By the blood of the Graven, I struck a covenant. The flesh of the blasphemers for the one who abandoned her duty.

I pointed the path to the precipice and then unleashed the minions to run amok when the cosmos finally arrived in conjunction. Now was the stage for preserving a signal and a source.

Why drag the vessel kicking and screaming when, with the correct motivation, she'll come running of her own volition?

Resistance was irrelevant. I only needed her pity for a fraction of a second. That would be my eternal opening.

Then I'll make good on my promise to deliver Sahei.

"The Nexus will feel the full wrath of the Graven," I ripped through any minions in my path, savoring the fleeting moments of their hearts going silent once and for all.

"No amount of shielding or technology will prevent me from personally dismembering her mongrel younglings and slowly rendering her sweet triad to nothing."  

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