GENESIS - THE BEGINNING. Book 1

CHAPTER 17 ... Hell Ground

"The decision must be yours alone. The four of you must decide from here on in. The Polrobs will be keeping an eye out for any fault or indiscretion from my side," said Wyatt. "Though I will stand to one side and try to warn you where I can." He undid the leather straps that held his sheathed sword in place and reluctantly placed it on the ground. "Already I feel naked," he whispered.

"Megan?" Katya asked with an uplifted eyebrow.

"I am afraid and believe I should not have entered this stupid race," she said. "But I am here and as Adelia always says, what's done is done." She looked at Wyatt with apprehension and foreboding. "I agree. Let's get this over with. We live or we die."

"That's it then," nodded Katya taking a deep breath. She had seen enough of death. She would have liked to carry on walking and push this day somewhere into the future.

The four woman silently clasped hands. "So what's the plan?" asked Adelia, breaking the somber moment and gleefully rubbing a thumb across the edge of her sword's blade.

"Idiot," said Katya with a slight smile.

"It will not be a good idea to walk into that storm," said Tobor as they stared at the chaos of screams, curses and fighting.

"There are more Contenders coming in from the East," said Katya. Indicating a group of nine men and two females staring at the slaughter before them. They seemed to converse amongst themselves for a while, then as a tight knit group, drew their swords and entered the fray.

'They had it right in the beginning," said Tobor shaking her head in disgust. "They had it right but then threw it all away."

"Why?" Adelia frowned.

'Because should they have been fifty or a hundred they could have rushed the enemy but they were only ten. With ten they should not have moved forward but waited for the enemy to advance. In that way the dead and dying would not hamper the smaller group. Side to side, ten against whomever attacked them. They may have lasted longer and killed more of the enemy." She turned to the rest, "There are a few items you must remember," she said, gazing at each in turn. "When your opponent falls, make certain he is dead. He or she may be wounded but a wounded enemy has teeth and if you don't want a blade to stab your legs or slice open your stomach from below, you had better dispatch them before moving on. Always keep an eye on the ground. When moving between buildings, remember the enemy may come from above. Always look up. Always keep your shield handy."

"How are we going to do this?" asked Megan, gnawing her bottom lip. Her eyes were huge with fright and she turned often to stare at Wyatt behind them.

"We get close so that you and Adelia can start with the bows until your arrows are done. Katya and I will attack directly. Perfect aiming here for you will not be an issue. 25 arrows apiece give us a hundred," she said. "Of that, one can hope for a quarter doing some damage and another quarter disabling or killing somebody. The enemy is closely packed and one can only hope. Shoot off as many as you can. Time will be of an essence for when the enemy discover what is happening they will attack us to save themselves. That is what I would do." She looked at Katya, "That's when you and I start. After our arrows are gone, we go in as a group and stay tight. We stick together and protect our partners.

"Adelia and I will be together while Megan and Katya protect one another. Should one fall, the other will move over to the other two and lend protection to them. Katya, you are the strongest so you proceed ahead with Megan behind to protect your flanks and back. Adelia will do the same for me. You and I Katya, will be the front rank and protect one another as the need arises.

"Rely on Adelia and Megan but do not trust them with your life. There is a difference. Always make sure that our shields are interlocked. That will stop the enemy from cutting us off. Stab from the sides and, over the top of your shield as well as from the bottom where the enemy expect it the least. Keep your eyes open, and now I am speaking to everyone. Keep your eyes open. See everything. Watch your opponent's eyes and body while seeing those close to him.

"The more packed they are the better for then they have limited space to move. You will at some stage feel anger or joy or a multitude of feelings rushing through your body. Grasp those feelings to your breast and they will lend you strength and power. When you feel you need to take a break, shout it out to all of us then step into the middle, we will form a tri-angle. Conserve your strength, do not rush in. This is going to be a long day. Make your attack and defense as economical as possible and if the need to urinate comes, do it. Are there any questions?"

"Shit. You expect us to remember all that?" Adelia asked.

"You are hopeless." There was a slight smile around Tobor's lips. "Fine. Then do what I do. Don't rush in. Stick together and kill all that come at you. Is that better?"

"Better. Much better. Especially that last part."

"Then you and Megan take your places. We advance as a square."

Excitement coursed through her body. This was why she had volunteered to enter The Month of Reckoning. Their enemies had always been nature or wild beasts. Hades had no criminal elements. Well, almost none. This was a once in a lifetime event to test one's training, one's will and strength against more than one opponent. Animals became predictable after a while, but humans? Humans were the best predators anywhere.

"Megan." Wyatt gripped the young girl's shoulder. "Trust in your training. Trust in what we taught you and you will survive. This I promise." They looked each other in the eye and suddenly they stepped into each other's arms.

"I don't want to do this, she said in a muffled voice. |Her eyes thick with tears of fright.

"You must. A Sigil's future wife must be proven in battle to protect her husband."

"What?" she looked up in surprise as he kissed her. Sudden hope and joy flooded her breast.

"You heard me wench. Now go out there and show them what you can do." Looking above her head, his eyes met with Tobor's. She nodded acceptance to his unvoiced appeal.

"Katya." Wyatt called her over. "Your swords will not be effective out there." He handed her his own as she reluctantly traded hers. "It is a special sword Katya," he whispered. "It will serve you well."

Standing back, he watch forlornly as the four women strode forward to meet their destinies. Around him lay their packs containing their meagre belongings. How he longed to join them. How he wished he could protect the woman he had come to love. Was it not for those Polrobs flying about. Adelia tapped Tobor on the shoulder as the four of them walked towards the hell ground seven hundred meters in front. "Is it true?" she asked in a loud whisper.

"Is what true?"

"Wyatt. What he said to Megan. Is it true?"

"Yes. He will marry her."

"No. The last part."

"I see. No, that part was a fabrication on his side. It's untrue."

"Then why lie to her," Adelia asked, surprised

"Why? Look at her. She is in another world and she will fight better than she ever has before. He gave her strength and a dream for the future."

Adelia glanced at Megan and saw that the young girl walked with a dreamy look in her eyes. Where moments before she was cringing like a scared dog, she now walked with head held high and a spring in her step. Adelia grunted. "Love?" she asked.

"Love," Tobor affirmed. Katya glanced at Adelia and Megan and with a grim shrug, turned and looked away.

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