Magic Spawn Origins

Magic Spawn: Chapter 74

by Meredith Skye

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For a moment, white pain seared through Rian's head and he lost all awareness. The battle wight, that was once Westin, had rammed into Rian, knocking him down so fast that he had no chance to dodge or retaliate.

Now Rian scrambled blindly, trying to get on his feet before the creature could launch another attack.
 Nearby him, on the meadow in front of the crypt, his friends continued the battle against Molan and his forces. Aldena had struck at the necromancer, just in time to distract him from attempting to retake control of his magic-spawn. Rian wasn't sure how Kyran had broken free—he just prayed that his little brother could hold out long enough for them to take on Molan, who relied so heavily on Kyran for his advantage.

Rian heard, more than saw, the battle wight coming at him again. His sight was still fuzzy from the blow to his head. He couldn't tell where the creature was coming from, so he picked a direction and dodged to the left.

Somehow, he managed to avoid a blow. But the battle wight was too swift for Rian to gain a blow against it. It retreated, repositioning. Rian blinked away the cobwebs from his mind.

Must be alert. Must be ready.

Come on, focus!

Playing for time, Rian retreated a few steps, keeping his feet moving. Hopefully, that would delay an attack. Now, his vision cleared. The battle wight came at him, sword in hand, in a jab to his abdomen which Rian dodged. Then he threw all his weight against the battle wight's arm, crushing it against a tree trunk. Then he punched the creature twice, fast, with his left hand.

The creature grabbed Rian by the hair and shoved him back, causing the boy to fight to keep his footing as he reeled backwards.

But he had managed to disarm the battle wight, which followed after him with a roar.

Perhaps now Rian, who still had his sword, could get the upper hand! He rushed the towering foe, trying an attack combo that included a feint. And he hit—striking the battle wight across the chest. Fresh green blood sprouted from the wound, but the creature looked more angry than hurt.

Swiftly, it came at Rian, punching him first in the stomach and then the neck. Rian fought to regain his control to attack but the battle wight grabbed his wrist and wrested the sword from him. The blade fell to the ground out of reach.

Now defenseless, Rian retreated until his back was against the rock wall.

Now what?

As the hulking battle wight approached, Rian thought quickly. The thing seemed to possess at least some of his former friend, Westin's, knowledge of fighting. Westin had a lot of training but he wasn't as good as Rian. So Rian could still be the better fighter, but this creature was much stronger and quicker than his friend had been.

Neither of them were armed.

Rian threw himself at his opponent, hoping to get in a blow. He connected with the other's abdomen, but the other scarcely noticed and swatted Rian to the side like a rag doll. Rian used the momentum to roll, getting a few feet away from the creature.

His sword lay just 15 feet away on the ground, but the battle wight stepped in between him and the desired weapon. Rian tried to dodge around him but the other was too fast and caught him in a tight grip.

If he could just get to the sword!

Rian bit the thing's wrist—and he bit hard! The battle wight growled and threw Rian backwards, closer to his goal! Now Rian rolled and regained his feet quickly, using the momentum to rush towards the sword. But the thing was right on his tail!

Desperately, Rian grabbed the sword, having only a few seconds to position himself from where he knelt on the ground before the creature caught up with him.

He braced the sword upright against the ground as the battle wight jumped at him. It impaled itself on the sword, giving a last anguished cry as its green life's blood spilled out all over the earth. It writhed with its last breath, turning over onto its back.

"Westin!" Rian choked back a sob as he knelt next to his friend.

Soon the battle wight lay still, looking up at the sky with lifeless eyes. Westin's eyes. Already, the exaggerated features of the battle wight began to fade, ever so slowly. Back to normal.

His friend was dead, then. A tear slipped down Rian's check, unbidden. But he didn't have long to think on his loss.

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