The Realm Hero Chronicles: Round 2

Chapter 25: The King's Grief

"Not good. I hate getting caught in the crossfire," Laval grunted as the Crococopter swerved to avoid the pulse beams.

"Just hold on," Cragger commanded. "I might have to drop you and the Chi and I'd prefer not to do it over the Grand Archway Canyon."

"What?" Laval leaned over the edge of the Speedor Launch tank. Sure enough, a few miles below him was the bottom of the famed archway canyon. The same one where Sir Fangar's ice mountain had crumbled all those months ago and where one of the Fire Wing Harnesses was hidden.

Regardless, it was a long way down. Instant death if Cragger dropped him now.

"Well, don't drop me!" Laval exclaimed.

"I won't!" Cragger promised. "Hold on!"

The Crococopter performed back-to-back barrel rolls, nearly jostling Laval and the lone Chi bag in his tank loose.

Eris's voice rang through the comm channel. "Cragger, quit spinning like that. You're going to either make Laval throw up, lose the Chi, or both."

"I don't plan on doing either, Eris. Stop being so overprotective," Cragger growled.

"I've survived my fair share of barrel rolls with you, Eris." Laval smiled, despite feeling a little nauseous. "But I do appreciate you looking out for me."

"Anytime, Laval. Anytime," Eris chirped. "Don't lose the Chi!"

"I'm not planning on it!" Laval wrapped an arm around the precious Chi and drew his Valious with the other. "I will die before they take one more orb of our Chi!"

"That might be pushing things a bit, don't you think?!" Azari threw a fire punch from one of Razar's Chi-Raiders. Laval stepped out onto one of the treads of the Speedor Launcher and roared to begin the battle. Eagle, Raven, Vulture, and Mammoth ships opened fire on the Tigion tanks and cannons below. Direct hits, each time.

"Heads up!" Laval roared as he vaulted off the treads and took out Telandon from his cannon. The two grappled and rolled, slashing and bashing each other until Telandon threw Laval in front of the cannon's line of fire. Laval flipped back and forth to dodge the blasts, before finally coming to a stop. "Okay, you caught me."

The blast shot missed and took out a nearby cannon. The airborne ships promptly took out the remaining cannons.

Cragger grinned as Laval climbed aboard the Speedor Launch tank, waiting until the Lion Warrior was settled before taking off. "Next time you jump, please let me know. You scared me."

"I'm good at that," Laval remarked. "But yes, I will let you know."

At that moment, a loose cannon blast hit the Crococopter on the underside. Black smoke billowed as the Crococopter spun out of control. The Speedor Launch tank tumbled to the ground.

"No!" Eris shouted. "Not Laval! Not the Chi!"

Fortunately, Laval had the good sense to leap out of the tank, grab the Chi, and heave it into Vardy's low-flying ship.

Fortunately, the trees cushioned his fall.

Unfortunately, he hit the ground unconscious.

Ten seconds later, the Speedor Launch tank nearly crushed him.

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"Stop it! Stop it!" Maula trumpeted frantically. "You'll kill him!"

Terrence snarled angrily, "So? Do I look like I don't know that?" He slammed the butt of his spear into Lavertus' face, causing the Lion to spit another wad of blood on the floor and wipe at a fresh cut above his eye. "You're about as weak as your brother!" Terrence growled.