POV: Callum WellsThe first charges of Skarrgar and Ulkarn rattled the very basis of my sanctum like a tremor warning of an approaching earthquake. As my two relentless juggernauts tore into the scattered defenders with all the remorseless ferocity of a collapsing tsunami, I stared with a mix of paternal pride and greatly pleased bloodlust.Underfoot, bones crushed like dry twigs as Ulkarn's first swipe swept two of Hardin's fighters aside in a boneless heap. As he pushed forward, each step a little seismic event, his rumbling roar of pure, distilled violence dislodged dust from the vaulted ceiling. Skarrgar was proving equally terrible nearby. Whirling in a tornado of blurred motion, he swiped his huge bludgeoner in scything arcs Hardin and Darrel could barely avoid, let alone try to counteract."Is this the great threat you presumed to harass my kingdom with?" As I watched the one-sided struggle playing out, I couldn't resist calling out tauntingly. "These two alone are destroying
POV: Jeremy WilliamsAgony!!!That one word seemed to capture my whole life in those boundless, anguished moments. Every nerve ending felt as though molten blades were shredding me as Callum's terrible force tightened me evermore.I battled desperately, lips open in a never-ending rictus of quiet suffering. As the pressure doubled, black dots began to kaleidoscope over my view. Was this the way it concluded then? Before I could change things, that insane beast was crushed into oblivion.Some deep, primordial part of my brain must have been obsessed with that single denial to not let my life's story finish here, snuffed out ignobly on the whims of a murderous madman. Because even as I felt my bones straying into their shatter point, a last flutter of opposition burst.I called every last shred of energy and concentrated it with pure savagery, a bestial growl tearing from the depths of my very being. From my heaving body, an exploding shockwave of pure fury rippled forth.Callum's telek
POV: Ivory WellsThe room shook violently, deafeningly roars and crashing sounds could be heard throughout. The air was thick with dust and trash, and it caused my eyes to hurt. As I looked through the haze, I was able to see those two monstrous juggernauts that Callum had conjured up wreaking havoc on everything in their immediate vicinity.In an attempt to avoid being crushed by the gigantic shapes of the lumbering animals, Hardin's fighters were dispersed and fighting desperately to avoid being crushed. However, it was a waste of time. As if they were ragdolls, each one of them was demolished one by one.Darrel stood in the middle of the mayhem, his teeth exposed as he engaged in a battle of blows with the more powerful juggernaut. However, it appeared that his blows had no impact on the armor-plated skin that covered the creature's jagged body."Darrel!" The panic and wrath in my voice caused my voice to crack as I screamed his name.His head snapped around and his eyes met mine,
POV: HardinAs I struck the ground hard, the breath shot out of my lungs in a terrible surge, scattering rubble. With a grunt, Darrel landed next to me and gripped his side. The blood seeped through his fingertips.I wheezed, trying to pull myself up, "you stubborn fool." "I had it handled."Through the smoke and dust, Darrel gave me a sideways glare. "You did it like hell. Your skull would have been crushed by that object."A massive clap shook the chamber as another supporting column was destroyed by one of Callum's monstrosities. Shards of metal and stone, both alive, rained down upon us.I snarled, "This can't go on," and ducked the deadly debris with my sword. "We're losing ground fast.""No kidding," with a grumble from Darrel. He favored his damaged side as he battled to get his feet beneath him. "I don't know how much longer we can keep this up."My gaze swept over the conflict, seeking any opening for our gain. Although the juggernauts were unyielding, they could still be wou
POV: JennaA tremendous roar shook the chamber, vibrating in my bones. I looked in awe and dread as the multicolored light merged into a massive, ethereal shape.What sort of ancient power was this? The ghostly shapes of snarling teeth and raking claws swirled in a whirlwind around a central lupine nucleus. As the dazzling light faded, I swear I saw muzzles and gleaming eyes peering out from within that frantic tornado of phantom fur. The towering juggernaut that had been bearing down on the defenseless Ivory appeared to falter, taken aback by this unusual new menace. That solitary second of doubt was its undoing.With an earth-shaking rush of force, the ember beast struck, engulfing the war golem in swirling, scintillating savagery. Its frightening chorus of howls and roars drowned out all other sounds as it charged at its mechanical prey. I could only gape in stunned wonder as adamantine skins crumbled and separated like rice paper under the continuous assault. The juggernaut's
POV: Callum WellsI felt agony piercing me with each rasping breath. My whole body felt like one enormous wound, ripped apart and left to swelter in the harsh weather. However, I couldn't wouldn't let such vulnerability be apparent.Not right now. Not when I was on the verge of total disaster or ultimate success.I could see the strewn remains of my juggernauts through a haze of blood and whirling dust, those destructive avatars of destruction I had fashioned by mastering the forbidden crafts of the ancients. Unmade to the core, torn apart like tissue by whatever crazy force that ethereal beast had taken on.A mocking laugh of incredulity leaked from my injured throat. Such amazing structures...so effortlessly buried? No, that's not possible! Not when I was this near to transcending at last!I snarled through the intense spurts of pain, searching for some indication of support or relief. But amidst the juggernaut, all that was left were straggling hangers-on, the pitiful remnants of m
POV: Darrel WilliamsTensing my muscles, I tried to resist the fury rising inside me as Callum stood over my daughter Darcy. Not while I still was breathing, that twisted monster would not lay a finger on her."Callum, stop this madness right now," I murmured, trying to maintain composure and a level voice. "Darcy is a young innocent child. She has nothing at all related to our strife.Callum laughed, a raspy wheeze that made my spine chillingly cold. "But old friend, she has everything to do with it. She stands for the future, the optimism still clinging to your miserable relics."His eyes pierced into mine with utter hate. And it makes her my ultimate leverage over you.I gave a slow head shake. "I'm not sure what delusions you are running under, but even for you threatening a child crosses a line."Changing strategy, I appealed to the ragged remains of the friend I once knew. "Callum, for decades all but blood has been our brotherhood. Certainly, some of you can see the craziness i
POV: HardinAs Darrel absorbed the full force of Callum's ferocious energy blast, my heart stopped in my chest. He was bathed in a putrid purple glow, with waves of malicious power that tore away skin and bone. His anguished cries echoed across the room."Darrel, no!" With a raw edge of panic in her voice, Jenna let out a cry.His flaming figure slumped boneless to the ground, and I watched in terror. Curling up from his wrecked body was acrid smoke. I was unable to discern if he was still alive for an interminable, excruciating moment.A glimmer of hope flickered through me as I noticed the faint rise and fall of his chest. He was harmed, possibly very badly, but for the time being he managed to hold on to life.My moment of relief was fleeting, as Callum turned to face the others, his features contorted into a victorious, wicked grin. He scowled, "Did you see that, you sniveling relics?" "Behold the price of defiance against my greatness!"Jenna stayed motionless, her arms still enc