The Web of Iron

Chapter Twenty-eight: The Might of Azgora

Mother was clad in her silver armor. Her face was concealed beneath a bright helm, and on her back was a flowing white cape. Her sword was in her hand, emblazoned with gold. Her shining shield was on her other arm, emblazoned with the symbol of a lightning bolt. It was the symbol of Zeya.

Melchious drew back, spinning the Axe of Fortenex into a stance as he did so. A smile came to his face, and he looked fair once more. "The Lady Azgora. I would have expected Raynald."
Mother ignored Melchious. Instead, she looked at William, moving to him. "My son, are you all right?"

Was he all right? The enormity of what had happened dawned on William. He nearly threw up, almost cried. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't help but choke back a sob. "He killed them, Mother, everyone... everyone in the Iron Kingdom! He killed them all!"

"I don't see what you're so upset about," noted Arraxia, rising up with her tail coiled. "It isn't as if you knew any of them personally. Moreover, they were all rather boring anyway."

"Sometimes, I remember why it is I let you live as long as I did, Arraxia," laughed Melchious. And he spun his axe in a flourish.

Then he wasn't laughing. Instead, he was falling backward. The wounds where his eyes had once been bled across his face. Mother slashed twice more, and his ears came off. With one final movement, the Lady Azgora tossed her sword into the air. Then she rammed her fist so hard against Melchious' mouth that his teeth shattered.

Then yanking backward, she pulled out his forked tongue. Down came her blade to cut right through it and plant itself in the ground before her. Tossing aside the tongue, she drew up her sword. Melchious fell backward, pouring blood all over the flagstones of his palace. Yet he was as silent as the stone.

There were no screams of pain as the demon lord put his hands over his face. No moans of agony as the Axe of Fortenex clattered to the ground. A mist of red arose around him, cloaking him so that he was hidden from sight. Then a clawed hand took up the Axe of Fortenex, and Melchious emerged.

No more was he veiled in white. Nor were his features angelic. His hands had become clawed. His eyes were flaming gold and filled with hatred. His teeth were like knives, and he had a pair of horns on his head.

And yet he had not lost his composure. There was no anger in his bearing. The malice which fueled him was without fire. The agony he had felt seemed nothing to him. "I'm impressed, Azgora. You do seem to possess some talent as a warrior."

"You don't know what a warrior is," said Mother.

They surged toward each other and met in a flurry of blows that blurred the air. Back and forth, they fought. They stepped around each other and exchanged blows of terrible power, cloaks billowing around them like wings. Their weapons gleamed in mutual blows. One glanced off Azgora's helm and forced her reeling backward. In triumph, Melchious leaped back and raised a hand. What seemed like red lightning shot forward. It wrapped around Mother, who was frozen in place, gritting her teeth.

"A small spell but one I find useful," said Melchious. "It causes agony undreamed of to the one it is cast upon. No mere mortal may withstand it."

Mother brought up her sword and lunged. Melchious nearly had his throat cut as a flurry of blows were set against him. "I am no mere mortal! The blood of Zeya runs in the veins of all my people! We are her chosen servants, and you will die by my hand!"

Melchious parried the blows with careful ease. Sliding back, he turned the tables and struck back. "Am I to be impressed because the blood of the Rape Goddess flows through your veins? That is no achievement on your part.