Fate Breakers

Chapter 30

Constantine

Leucrocotta are some of the most irritating creatures I've ever had the displeasure of fighting. They're senseless, a soulless is more challenging. I noticed tracks when we were walking earlier. Captain Baxter didn't seem to take my warning seriously. I still set up my trap.

One rope on the outside of our tent seemingly had no purpose. Liam didn't bother to check it. No one really did, no one but Purity and Erix. Tugging on the rope made Ceno and Darcelle's tent shudder. When Ceno let out a shout, Purity and Erix exited their tents. I'm already halfway to Liam, they'll catch up soon, and that's just the start.

The Leucrocotta doesn't see me yet. It won't see me until it's too late, the poor bastard. I remove my sword and its scabbard from my hip. I've only done this once before, but I've had enough practice in my downtime to know how to use the thing.

A weaponsmith once told me, "Guns are one of the most evil things Humankind has ever created, and they are the single most evil thing sought after by everyone in the realm. No one with a gun is truly trustworthy, because you can't trust something made with so much malice and evil. However, in order to know how to work against the evil, you have to know how to use it."

I've tried a few. Can't stand the assault rifles, they're too much. Pistols jam too frequently, not practical for a soldier. I like the shotguns. Because in moments like these, it's all too easy to sneak up on someone and—

BANG!

The Leucrocotta lets out a pitiful, high pitched whine. It whips around, blood gushing from the wound in its head as it hisses at me. Shots to the head can't do anything if there's nothing there to damage. I pump my shotgun, letting the shell fall to the ground. The metal hisses and clinks, rearranging itself to shift back to a sword. One slug was all I needed.

The beat snarls and shouts as it charges for me. An arrow whizzes past, lodging in its cheek. Darcelle was faster than I expected, but I'll take it.

"The fuck is this thing," Ceno shouts, skidding to a halt when he gets a good look at the beast.

Basil sends a glowing orange chain for one of its front paws, yanking to throw it off balance. "Questions are for when we aren't on the chopping block, Ceno!" He grunts as the creature starts fighting back. "Can you use that guitar and so something?"

Ceno cracks the Leucrocotta in the head, adding to the damage I'd started. "It's a fucking bass!"

The beast keeps hissing and snarling. I take my chance while the others are distracting it. Liam is still frozen in place, wide eyed and looking like a child. Seeing him like this, so small and afraid, it'll be hard to unsee this once it's all over.

"Liam!" I know I'm shouting, but I have to get him to move. He can't stay here. I grasp his shoulders, shaking him as violently as I can. "Liam! Lee! Liam, snap the fuck out of it, please!"

"I... can't..." He sounds choked up, speaking around a lump in his throat. His eyes are glassy, tears threatening to fall. "I... I don't..."

He doesn't want to.

"Nope, that isn't an option. Get a fucking move on." I thrust all of my weight against him, and that gets him stumbling. Once he's stumbling, I keep pushing, forcing him to move and regain his balance. "Go, go, go! Now! Right foot! Left foot! Right foot! Left!"

"Gods damn it, Constantine," he shouts, smacking my hands away. "I know how to walk!"

He's running now. I keep testing him. "Yeah, walk right into fucking danger and walk away from your problems!"