Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 68

by Meredith Skye

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The necromancer stood in the center of the field, guarded on either side by a skeleton. With help from Aldena and the remaining Gondorian Warrior Patrol, Rian, Zane and most of the others had been freed.

Somehow, young Kyran had defied Molan and deprived him of some of his ability to cast magic on Earth. The boy had cast a circle of flame around himself and his mother, Lauretta, protecting her.

Now that Rian had the magic sword in his hand again, he felt a renewal of energy and hope. Maybe they could beat the necromancer after all.

Seeing Rian free, and perhaps despairing of casting a spell, Molan drew his own dark blade. He looked quite formidable, standing there in the dim torchlight, in his black robe and dark cape, like a dark hole destined to draw all into it.

Could Rian really defeat him? Was there any way?

Zane joined Rian, now armed. Just as Rian had gathered the courage for an attack, movement at the crypt door drew his attention.

Someone ... or something ... emerged from the door. The thing stood over seven feet high, a giant, who had to stoop to get through the door. His brawny arms were bare, his clothes in tatters, as though, like the Hulk, he'd suddenly outgrown them. His features had once been human, though now his eyes were distant and uncomprehending. Rian recognized him only after a moment.

Westin, taller and more beast-like than ever, strode out onto the field. He now wielded a heavy two-handed sword, with one hand—as if it weighed nothing.

Four white-boned skeletons with white hair accompanied him, armed with scimitars and shields. They stopped and surveyed the field.

Great! Just what they needed.

At that moment, Westin, or whatever he had become, made a horrible screeching sound that grated on Rian's nerves to the point of pain. Then Westin opened his mouth, wider than any human should be able to, resembling something from the movie Alien. Then four dark flying creatures came forth out of his mouth—more cockroach-like things similar to the ones that originally infected Westin! They were like mosquitoes, with bodies as big as a fist and spindly legs that stretched out in all directions. Their mouth held a sharp stinger full of poison venom.

"Look out!" shouted Rian, as the beast flew out over the group. "Don't let them bite you! You'll end up like Westin!"

One of the flying creatures dove at Aldena who swung her sword at it. Another dove at Jenna and Harlan. Jenna was still putting her armor back on, but it was Harlan who leapt forward with a sword and struck at the flying cockroach-thing to protect his wife.

The third dove at Rian, who then concentrated solely on keeping the thing away from him.

The fourth dove at Zane.

Molan and his skeletons did not move forward to attack. At first, it felt odd to Rian, because with the flying creatures distracting them they would have been an easily target.

No, Molan was waiting. He wanted to infect them. He hoped to turn them all into battle wights such as Westin had become!

Rian must not get bitten by these creatures!

The thing was quick and persistent, flying at Rian time and time again, hoping to get its stinger into his spine so that the transformation could begin. Rian swatted at it with his sword as it made quick dashes at his face, dodging it as best he could.

One of the other flying creatures went after Harlan who ran from it. Realizing he'd never make it, he whirled and stood his ground.

"No!" shouted Jenna, who was 20 yards away. She'd gotten her armor on and rushed towards Harlan but was intercepted by two zombies which she had to stop and fight.

Meanwhile, Harlan did his best to fight off the creature. Fortunately, he already had armor on. Though it wasn't the best, at least it gave him some protection. Harlan kept low and moved to keep the creature from getting behind him. They liked to latch onto the back before they stung.

Now a few skeletons moved forward, one for each of them fighting one of the wight flying creatures. Perhaps Molan grew impatient waiting for a victory, or maybe he just wanted to unbalance each of them enough to allow the wight-flyers a chance to overcome them.

As a skeleton approached Rian, he had to divide his attention between that and the wight-flyer. He deflected a blow from the skeleton and immediately, the flying creature dove at him, trying to latch onto him with his claws. Rian had seen this before, when that creature had taken over Westin. He managed to deflect it with his sword, but the thing was so light and so tough that it just bounced back, readying for another attack.

Meanwhile, the skeleton struck again. Rian didn't have time to reposition himself or his weapon at all. He tried to step to the side to dodge the blow, but it caught him on his shoulder.

Without armor on, Rian had no protection. The sword bit into his shoulder, slicing it. He pulled away, staggering back. He could feel the blood flowing from the wound.

How long could they last like this?

Harlan had his back to the rock wall. A smart idea. Easier to keep that wight-flyer off him. Once Jenna killed off the last zombie, she ran over to help Harlan.

"Careful Jenna!" shouted Harlan.

She swung at the creature, whose back was to her. She must have hit it, because it darted high up into the air. And when it came back, it came after her, ignoring Harlan.

"That's right," said Jenna. "I'm over here!" She led him away from Harlan, giving him a breather.

Nearby, Zane began to lose his fight. The creature stunned him with a frontal attack. Then it got behind him and grabbed his shoulders with its claws, embedding itself on his back.

"Zane!" yelled Rian, but there was nothing he could do. It took all his energy just to fight off those that attacked him.

As the creature's stinger penetrated his spine, Zane's face contracted in agony.

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