Sleep didn’t come to Warren the previous night. His mind put a laser focus on the choice he had to make. During the night he tossed and turned, making a choice and then unmaking it. Archon remained silent and allowed him to choose the witching hour, Warren came up empty.
“Archon, what should I do?” Warren asked.
A picture of a man voting and a person shaking their head, and then his picture, with a checkmark. He manifested at the foot of the bed and laid down. If Archon had been real, Warren would’ve been squashed beneath Archon’s form.
“Do you think Theria is the right choice? I mean you are older than me, so your opinion matters.”
Archon sat up straight and conveyed his message while flourishing his talons. The pictures flashed and Warren took it as a fatherly speech about mating, and how important it was for the
The first day of school, a pivotal moment in our lives. We compare the first day of a job to it, especially if we don't know anyone. The same can be said of Warren Vandal when he first met the crew of the Scald Crow, an armored personnel carrier modified by the Seelie. The Seelie came to earth from an alternate dimension of Tir Na Nog, following a botched spell that fused the realities. Theria smiled and adjusted his clothes, “Now, they aren't going to be crazy about you, Warren. You represent the race that broke our reality. Remember to take it in stride and prove you are here for the team and nothing else.” She kissed him on the cheek and he felt a little silly, “If all else fails at least you have me.” “I'm so nervous. The game we are playing isn't for lun
An amber screen stood in front of the table. The queen paced back and forth in front of the table. Nerea was present at the request of the queen. Something about the way Elphame looked at Nerea, told Warren the queen's interest in his caretaker went beyond business. A slight smile creased his thin lips, Nerea had earned the right to be happy. His companion, Theria, hadn't said a word since the Queen called the briefing. The young Seelie girl usually talked endlessly. Warren gently touched her shoulder, “Is everything okay? It's okay to be scared, I am.” Theria closed her eyes and stared at the floor before she responded, “I never went into battle. I don't want to kill anything.”
With some rather impressive diplomatic finesse on Elphames' part, The Scald Crow and its crew would be transported by military helicopter once they reached the mainland. While they were on the ferry the team was treated to their new equipment. The Queen gave each member a set of combat armor. Everyone enjoyed cool weapons including Theria. A pair of gauntlets were given to Warren. “Use them wisely,” Elphame said. “To avoid splinters in my fingers?” Warren stared at the leather and metal, “No offense your majesty, the gloves are underwhelming.” “Warren, do you think the queen would give you junk?” Nerea scolded, “Maybe if you asked what they did.” &
Fort Vermillion is a small town near the Northwest Territories. The latest numbers show the tiny town has one hundred residents even. It's easy to forget that it exists. People will remember Fort Vermillion now. The residents are besieged by cannibal dog people called Adlets. They blew into town with their flesh golems called Tupilaq and mounted ferocious wolf /bear hybrids called Waheela. The untested crew of the Scald Crow is on their way to meet them. Swarms of butterflies tickled Warrens's stomach. Fear refused to visit him. Instead, the desire to test the eidolons' limits ruled him. The eidolon stalked back and forth across Warren's mind. Every fiber of Archons being sat on the edge, ready to show the visceral majesty of griffins. Warren did his best to ignore the spiritual creature, and drew a pistol blade, and admired the quality.
The northern lights came to oversee the mission from the night sky, with aid of the full moon. If one stared into the aether long enough, they could see a winged woman, hovering in the air, a fairy to be exact, although they preferred to be called Seelie. Night vision goggles covered her eyes, and a Bluetooth headset covered her ears. “How does it look from up there?” Warren asked. He and the remaining members of the Arcane Seekers trudged through the ankle-deep snow, spring may have come to Alberta, but Fort Vermillion didn't get the memo. Not that it matters with the town under siege by ravenous dog people called Adlets. Which brought the Scald Crow to a remote location. “We're clear. How are you doing?” air rushed against Therias microphone as she floated through the air. It didn
Certain quotes stick with people. A penny saved is a penny earned, give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. For Warren Vandal, the immortal words of Coach Macintosh play themselves over and over, as he prepares to go into battle for the second time in his life. “You can practice until the cows come home, but it won't mean a thing until you apply it in real life,” While he'd only released the eidolon twice up until this point. He felt confident, Archon would show him the ropes. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Grace O'hara, captain and leader of the Arcane Seekers. The fiery-haired pirate queen Looks over at Warren with her pistol, excitement in the air, “Are you ready boy? All we have to do is ho
The humans were justifiably terrified of the Scald Crow and the crew. One group of invaders often looked like the other in the eyes of those caught in the crossfire. Warren could see them on the second floor with their eyes pointed down. He allowed a small part of Archon to sharpen his vision, he didn't feel a strain. The crunch of snow under thick boots came from behind him. “Do you think they feel chatty,” She pointed up to the assembled group at the second-story window. “They don't look happy to see us.” “Where are Jack and Herne?” Warren asked as he peered at the outside wall. It was made from brick and mortar. He wondered if he could summon Archon's clutch of talons to scale the building.
The creature defied all explanation, instead of a solid body, the arms, legs, and hands were stitched to the torso. The eyes glowed with a sickly purple hue and it went with the malevolent wolf head attached to the twisted form. Warren expected the creature to be awkward in movement, but fate saw him wrong again. It started to jog at a brisk pace toward Warren and his two companions. “Maybe we should get going?” Jack played with the dice bag around his neck and the rattle of hard plastic kept silence at bay. “I have a feeling this creature is a cut above the rest.” Grace shook her head, “We are running out of time, and we made a promise to those people trapped in the school.” She pulled out a night scope and peered through it, “Oh goody, he brought frie
By nightfall, the macabre wedding, Vasilia kept kissing Warren and then would make a face, "Why isn't it working?" She growled."What's not working?" Warren demanded. The last few hours had significantly soured his mood. Without Archon, his chances of escaping were slim to none. The idea of marrying Vasilia made his skin crawl.Vasilia giggled to herself and tapped him on the cheek, "Never mind, my love. You'll find out tonight when we become one."What did Warren know about Vasilia? He could work her vanity against her, but how? Warren racked his brain over the problem."Now, we should come with possible names for our hybrid child. Can you Imagine a Seelie child with the power of an eidolon? A new race for a new world...""Your plan is all over the place. First, you want to take over. Now, you want to make a new race? What is the deal?""I have a long list of friends who a backing my play. Some of those friends have daughters, and for t
Warren Awoke to the smell of pine and earth. A gentle hand caressed his face, "Good morning, my love," Vasilia's sweet tone brought him back to the land of the living, "I hope you slept well because we have a busy day ahead of us." Her beautiful face smiled at him. "I thought you were joking about the wedding thing," Warren tried to scratch his nose, but his hands were bound, "Archon, let's light it up," He growled. Silence followed, not a single peep from the eidolon. "Archon?"Vasilia slapped him gently, "Archon?" she feigned ignorance. "Oh, you mean the eidolon? He is still there, I promise. However, I can't have the groom trying to escape on our special day."Anger bubbled over and came out in Warrens's tone, "Are you serious? You can't trust the witch to do as you say." his eyes scanned the area. He and Vasilia were the only people in the cathedral of trees, "Where is the rest of my team and Theria?""The Bokken Riders took them to get fitted fo
The smartphone buzzed inside Warren's pocket as the street bike picked up speed. He pressed a button on the side of the helmet, "Vandal here."The gunfire came from the other end of the call. Grace shouted into the receiver, "How is it going?""Better than you," Warren shifted gears, the engine whined, and then roared, "We managed to find the female gigas. She's one of the chosen. Cyrus is on his way to your location.""Where are you with the Torvars?" An explosion rocked Warren's ear, "Damnit, Jack, I told you to keep the fire concentrated on the left.""I am on my way. Cyrus gave me an angle to work," He paused and turned the corner, "How is Theria doing?""We have her in the support role. She's keeping us on our feet. Theria won't say it, but she's worried about you."The bike turned down the road to Mole Hill, "I'm not the one under fire...what the hell is that," Warren cried out."Vandal, what's going on," Grace demandedT
Shattered glass littered the ground as Cyrus and Warren stepped over the threshold. Cyrus watched Warren with a strange look on his face. Warren tried to ignore it, but after the third time, he sighed in exasperation, "What is your problem?""I can't believe you came from my brother. He's still alive, you know," Cyrus stopped and put his hand on Warren's shoulder, "You are the best of us all, kid. You were right to save Eve and Duchess. I get why your team looks up to you."Warren laughed, "I think you have it all turned around. I look up to them...""Stop with the modesty, Warren. You were born for this. You are doing things I couldn't touch at your age," Cyrus rarely complimented. He spoke in facts and truth."I didn't have a choice in anything. I wanted to play hockey and chase girls, maybe play in the NHL after college. A scout from the junior team met with me the day magic came back," Warren cursed himself for clinging to a life that would never come
The Scald Crow roared down the highway with as much speed as the engine would allow. Herne and Cyrus had formed a friendship of sorts and conversed in the front.Thankfully Duchess remained asleep for the trip back to the city. Eve curled up next to her and sighed, "Poor child. Her struggle burdens my heart," Her large brown eyes rested on Warren, "You don't like it, do you?"Theria dozed against Warren's shoulder. A look of peace adorned her face. He took a moment to admire her before he answered Sasquatch's question, "No, I don't. She deserves a shot at a good life. Her brother is the head of a racist biker gang, and she still has kindness for others.""Do you ever wonder how people get chosen?" Eve stroked the long streaked hair. "Who knows, I'm just the delivery boy," Warren scoffed, "I know if the witch gets free, things will get worse around here. My job is to prevent it from happening.""Isn't that following blindly?" Eve sounded a litt
Duchess turned out to be more affectionate than anyone expected. She clung to Warren and refused to let him have a moment alone with Theria. Warren longed to tell her to give him some space, but two things complicated the matter. Duchess was like a three-year-old in an adult's body. She needed lots of love and affection. Second, her soul had been washed clean by the raven woman, and its purity was an asset to their plans."Why did I die?" Duchess stared into Warren's eyes.Theria flew up to her, "Well, I think...""It's not important," Warren told her, "What matters is you are alive," he scowled at Theria. "We have something to discuss, and there isn't time to sugarcoat it."Duchess cocked her head to the side, "Is it bad?""It will be the reason why we brought you back," Warren's stomach developed a giant pit, and nausea followed, "You have the power to help protect the world, but it requires you to make a sacrifice."Duchess stopped and gl
Tsonoqua, commonly known as the basket ogress, cleared off her table and placed the body of Duchess on it. She opened Duchess's eyes and examined the body thoroughly, "I can bring her back, but it will be hard to say how much of her original personality she will retain. Also, there is the possibility something demonic will follow her from the nether world. Are you sure you want to take that kind of risk?"Warren and his companions looked at each other, except for Cyrus. The mercenary held his silence since his rescue at the hands of his nephew. He leaned against the door and waited for the team to finish their business.Eve tugged on his arm, "Come on, I don't want to know how this works. You look like you need someone to talk to,""Sure, why not," Cyrus followed her out.Herne stared at the motionless young woman, "I'd say no, but Duchess was a chosen when she lived. We have to bet against the odds on this one. If we are wrong, then we are wrong."
Herne and Theria caught up to Eve and Warren in record time. Eve shouldered the body bag with Duchess's body. "We have to hurry. The basket ogress won't sit on Cyrus forever," Eve warned."Psssh," Theria Scoffed, "Why are we worried about the stupid mercenary?"Warren stared at the girl he loved in stunned silence before the anger beneath the skin bubbled to the surface, "How about he is a person. I know he acts like a total asshole, but he is family. If we get married, he will be your family too.""His eidolon is in a phylactery. Do we want that in the hands of the basket ogress?"Archon stated.
When Nozomi came to Bright Star, she expected to deal with the usual high school drama. People heralded Bright Star Academy as one of the safest schools in Ivorhaven City. More to the point, people rated Ivorhaven as one of the safest cities in the world. The last thirty seconds drastically changed how Nozomi viewed the statistics. A fire burned in the eye sockets of the bony demon.Several people in vehicles abandoned their cars in the street. Daiki started to glow, and he refused to move. He looked at Paisley and then to Nozomi, and he pushed them back. He pulled a pair of silver gloves with large Crucifixes on them and slid the odd equipment onto his hands.Nozomi noticed most of the cars were still running, "I have an idea," She yanked Paisley by the arm toward the nearest running automobile. The car reeked of fast food and cigarettes.Paisley covered her nose, "Gross, who co