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Chapter 154: The Warrior's Blade
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Warrior of the Way Chapter 155: The Warrior's Blade
Renny turned back to Buttercup, and Rhychard could see the challenge in her eyes. "No offense, but why would Adrian want to kill a prostitute?"Buttercup lifted her eyebrows. "What? I'm not worth killing?" Rhychard gave Buttercup another look, and she simmered down—a little. "Pastor Adrian had me sleeping with men so that he could blackmail them. That's how he's been able to accomplish everything he has at his precious church.""That's true, Renny," Rhychard said. "You can ask David Morsetti if you don't believe me.""She slept with David?" Renny's voice was a mixture of shock and disgust."No, actually it was David who convinced her to quit doing what Adrian wanted. That's why Adrian wants her dead." Between them, Rhychard and Buttercup explained her role in Adrian's subterfuge and how they rescued her that Saturday at the lake. That tale led them to an explanation of Vargas, the Void, and how the Unseelie were trying to open a Gateway into their city. As the story progressed, Tryna a
Warrior of the Way Chapter 156: The Warrior's Blade
Buttercup greeted Vince, the bus driver, as she stepped onto the Harbor City Transit bus and made her way to the back. She had too much on her mind and didn't feel like chitchatting with anyone. Vince seemed to sense her mood and, after the initial welcome, left her to her thoughts, which were a jumbled mess.She appreciated Renny wanting to make sure everything was all right between them. While Rhychard was sweet, good looking, and a caring man, he wasn't in Buttercup's thoughts any more than as a friend. The truth was that after everything she had been through, Buttercup just didn't see herself as relationship material. Who would want to go out with an ex-hooker? There were just too many scars, too much baggage, for her to get involved with anyone. She would never be able to tell them about her past, and that would always be a stumbling block between her and any possible paramour. Besides, she was back to square one trying to find a job to support herself. She didn't have time to get
Warrior of the Way Chapter 157: The Warrior's Blade
Rhychard didn't believe what he was looking at, or why Officer Rochester brought him out there to look at it. "It's a carving of a man, all right. And you said it's made out of a banana tree?" He looked up at Mark as he asked. It was the perfect rendition of a man's full body with great detail in the carving, including the tears running down the cheeks of the carved face. Even the hair on the head had explicit detail, including a few strands bent out of shape. "Who did this?"Mark shook his head as he looked down to where Rhychard knelt, examining the statue. "Your guess is as good as mine, but the carving isn't the truly odd part. Or, at least, not all of it. This is an exact replication of the man who lives here, a…" he glanced at his notebook, which he held in his right hand, "Taylor Morgan." He glanced back at Rhychard. "The only parts of the carving that don't match the pictures we have of Taylor are the two puncture marks on the left side of his neck, like...." The look on his fa
Warrior of the Way Chapter 158: The Warrior's Blade
:I am within the faerie circle. Our home is a little too crowded.:Rhychard didn't doubt it. He altered his course, heading toward the area around what he called his Thinking Rock, a flat slab of granite that extended out into Manatee Creek in the middle of a small wooded section behind Rhychard's condo. The faerie circle was a small area around Rhychard's rock, a ring of boulders that Marachin, a sylvan elf, had created so that Rhychard could have a safe, private place to train and rest. Part of the magic allowed people to see through the area to the creek beyond without noticing anyone inside the circle. If they were tempted to visit, the magic of the circle deterred them, sending them in another direction. Unless a person knew of the magic, they would never be able to enter that specific area. Only knowledge of the faerie circle allowed people to cross the barrier. It also acted as a bridge to the Land Under for those who had the power to cross it. As he stepped over the ring of bo
Warrior of the Way Chapter 159: The Warrior's Blade
Laci stood on the sidewalk, staring at the house in front of her. She could feel her heart thudding in her ears, her breathing coming in heavy pants as she felt the panic coursing through her. The house needed painting; it's once bright sun yellow now a dim, faded glow. It's landscape also needed a green thumb, weeds needed pulling, branches trimmed, and the yard edged. The windows needed cleaning as well. It was almost like the place had been lost in time, even though people still lived there. How could they let it fall apart like this when her father spent so much time taking care of it?She could see the soft glow of a lamp from behind the sheers in the front window, telling her that someone was here. With another deep breath, she continued to stand there, staring at the house, the home of her youth. So many lost memories she would never recapture. Her father was forever lost to her, never knowing his baby girl didn't runaway on purpose, that she was dragged into an evil life to sav
Warrior of the Way Chapter 160: The Warrior's Blade
Rhychard's gaze bounced between Renny and Pux, not sure what he had just walked into or what he was accused of. "What did I do?""But he doesn't have the magic," Famallumi said, as he left his spot near the wall, walking over to the table. "Only a Lore Master can do such a feat."Pux cocked his tiny head to the left, staring at the elf. "Elven arrogance. Are you calling me a liar? You're not the only one who has magic, you know. Plenty of the Seelie have powers; they just don't go around showing them off like you do.""But I don't have power," Rhychard said. "I have the Guardian Sword. That's it.""That was the beginning. You are a Warrior of the Way. Once you gripped that sword, it's power was yours to wield just as you do the sword." Pux shrugged. "I thought you would know this already. Did you not complete the Brintohar?""Yes. At least, I think I did," Rhychard said. "Hell, I never know what I know and what I don't know. It seems there's always something else I'm kept in the dark a
Warrior of the Way Chapter 161: The Warrior's Blade
Aradhon, draped in a glamour to hide his true nature, watched as Jordan knelt down to help Mrs. Waterson pull her weeds from the front flowerbed of her rundown hovel, the afternoon Florida sun already causing beads of sweat to sprout on the dark skin of Aradhon's forehead. The old man had been assisting Mrs. Waterson since the battle at Feather Lakes had decimated her front yard. His labor along with the minuscule amount of landscaping she had been able to coax out of one of the neighborhood boys who needed money for a nickel bag of marijuana had seen small improvements to her yard. All that effort to make the exterior of a place look appealing while the interior of the residence decayed.Of course, she didn't know what the boy spent the money on, or she would have picked someone else or just offered the boy a much-needed meal. No, she was naïve enough to assume he used it for some wholesome activity, like school supplies or clothes. She should know better, of course, given the neighbo
Warrior of the Way Chapter 162: The Warrior's Blade
"I think we can stop you." Jordan gestured to the surrounding homes. "This is our home, and you will not take it without a fight. That should have already been made quite obvious by now.""Is that what you think I want?" Aradhon shook his head. "You are wrong, so wrong. All we want is a way to enter your community and be a part of it. That is all a Gateway is, a bridge between my world and your world.""And yet, you tried to manipulate the people of this community. Your people tried to kill us. I was here. I saw it. I fought to protect it, to stop you." He took a step forward, a finger jabbing at Aradhon's chest. "This town will always fight to stop evil men like you."Aradhon grinned as he took a step toward Jordan, his hand coming out from his jacket as he grabbed Jordan by the throat. "And once again I will ask, do you really think you can? Allow me to assure you, I am not Bertram Leary. I do not fail." The dark elf watched as Jordan's face strained against the tightening of Aradhon
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Warrior of the Way Chapter 263: Summerlands
While their mother piddled in the kitchen fixing them a plate of fajitas, the Valentine sisters sat on the living room sofa, legs folded under them. Maria Valentine put most of the house back in order after Baltabek's attack, but the destruction remained obvious to Laci. She held tight to her sister ever since the Summerlands, scared to let her go. Jayden, of course, fussed at her to stop being a mother hen.Once everyone arrived back at Rhychard's Thinking Rock, a place Renny decided would cause the least amount of sightseers, the witches and Famallumi returned to the Murky Cauldron while Rhychard placed a still-weak Jayden in the back of Laci's car. The eldest Valentine wasted no time or words as she headed straight for home."I almost lost you," Laci said. "I don't know what I would have done if that happened.""Probably moved into my room since it's the biggest," Jayden said with a shrug."That's not even funny," Laci snapped, shoving Jayden's hand away from her in disgust.Jayden
Warrior of the Way Chapter 262: Summerlands
Rhychard wasn't sure what he hit, but he found himself spinning backward, the Guardian Sword leaving his hand as he hit the ground with a hard thud, the air whooshing out of his lungs. Scrambling to his feet, a pain tugging at the back of his head from where he hit the ground, the first thing he noticed was Laci sprawled on top of Kree. Renny! He jerked his attention around until he saw her still gripping Jayden's arm as both women lay stretched out on the grass. However, he didn't see the wall he ran into, knocking him back on his ass. Another glance around, and he noticed the salt circle and the three witches sitting on the ground, eyes closed as they chanted. An older man he didn't recognize stood behind Wanda, his face a mask of admiration.A groan alerted Rhychard to Baltabek stirring, and Rhychard lunged for his sword. The demon moved faster, however, and shot a burst of his demonic power at the Warrior, knocking him back against the invisible barrier, the air he just managed to
Warrior of the Way Chapter 261: Summerlands
Rhychard heard screams, but he couldn't tell whose or where they originated. They might have even been his for all he knew. Pieces of the broken table jabbed him in his back and legs, and he felt blood making a trail down his side. Groaning, he tried to sit up. He must get up. Renny needed his protection as did his parents.:Warrior, Baltabek is heading to your home,: Kree sent. Rhychard could hear the elven hound moving toward him through their connection. :He hid among the woods along the creek.:"Rhychard!" Renny shouted, and then he felt her hands on his arms along with someone else's on his other side.:Well, he knows how to make an entrance.: Rhychard sent.He could hear shouts of panic coming from the parking lot and other apartments, people screaming at the sudden explosion.Glancing up, he noticed the other set of hands helping him to his feet belonged to his father. His mother stood by the sofa, her face pinched with concern, and Tryna picked herself up off the floor from whe
Warrior of the Way Chapter 260: Summerlands
Tansy walked over to where Alex's backpack lay on the ground from where the gnome dropped it when they first entered the Summerlands, pulling out the container of salt that rolled halfway out. As she stood, she couldn't take her gaze off the dark pack, remembering its owner and how far he came since walking into the Murky Cauldron that first day. Her heart twisted, and she did her best to keep the tears at bay. She didn't know how much time they had, so she needed to make sure she completed the barrier spell before Renny arrived with Baltabek.Kayla and Wanda sat off to the side, Kayla with her arms wrapped around her knees as she stared at the last spot she saw Alex, and Wanda absorbing her surroundings. Since the demons had been cast out of the Summerlands, the dank grayish color slowly faded away, replaced once more by the lush greens and vibrant colors of the flowers that filled the Land of the Dead. They had even seen the return of some of those who had already passed on from the
Warrior of the Way Chapter 259: Summerlands
"Mom! Dad. What are you doing here?" Rhychard just stood there, staring. He didn't need this right now."Your father thought I was crazy," Catherine Bartlett said. "He even made sure I didn't have any hidden wine bottles anywhere. Empty wine bottles, that is. I had to drag him here to see for himself.""You're alive," Rhychard's father said as he stood there and stared at Renny, his brows bunched in disbelief. "How is this even possible?"Rhychard sighed. "I've discovered just about anything is possible these days.""Hello, Mr. Bartlett," Renny said as she casually closed her purse, hiding the gnomes from sight for now. Catherine didn't handle them well last time, and Renny didn't know how Rhychard's father would react. "I'm sorry we didn't come over and tell you. We've just been…well, we've had our hands full."James Bartlett swooped in, wrapping his arms around Renny and giving her the tightest bear hug she ever had. "I can imagine you have," he told her, his voice filled with enthus
Warrior of the Way Chapter 258: Summerlands
Rhychard watched as Renny gathered up the other Warriors and returned them to the Guardian Sword, only to reappear a moment later with Pux on her shoulder. Laci paced the entire time until Renny returned, eager to be on her way to protecting her sister. With the bridges gone, she had no other way back to the Land Above than Renny. None of them did, actually. Rhychard ran a hand over his long, dark hair, worried about what they would find when they arrived in the Valentine household, concerned for his brother, just as Laci showed concern for her sister.Tansy still stood off to the side, holding a sobbing Kayla and a shaking Wanda. Both witches shifted back to normal once the demons left them, but still wore the wear and tear from the possession. Rhychard hoped they would continue to heal with time, at least physically. He highly doubted Kayla would heal emotionally anytime soon considering her hands snapped Alex's neck even though the demon controlled her. That would be a heavy weight
Warrior of the Way Chapter 257: Summerlands
Karl stood there, still not sure what he should be doing or even what was actually happening. He saw what those demons did to downtown. He couldn't possibly stop one if it showed up now and took over Jayden's body. Glancing over at Famallumi, he wondered just how much power the elves possessed. Gormec seemed to always have his giant hammer nearby, and while Karl had seen its power before, was it enough to stop the demons? There were only five of them against a demon like the ones who killed a witch and almost defeated his brother, the Warrior. Karl didn't particularly care for his odds."How do you feel?" he asked Jayden, his hands over his chest."I'd feel better if you'd stop staring at me like I'm about to go off my meds," Jayden snapped."How about I go and fix us all some lemonade?" Jayden's mother suggested. "It'll give us something to do while we wait for the others.""Do we even know they're going to be here?" Gormec asked, leaning on the handle of his hammer. "It's been longer
Warrior of the Way Chapter 256: Summerlands
The witches continued to shout their chant, their power strengthened with their success. Baltabek sent a blast toward them, but Rhychard blocked it and hurled the power at the demon's feet, the ground exploding and shoving Baltabek up and backward into the air. The other Warriors quickly pressed their attack while the demon lay on the ground.Kayla let out a wail, slicing the air, and dropped to her knees. The demon inside of her wasn't so easily taken, however. With clenched fists, he shoved his power at the witches, doing his best to stop their chanting. Rhychard caught one of the bolts before it struck Tansy, but the next slipped past him and struck Laci in the chest, somersaulting her backward to land on the ground in a heap.Kree leaped up on his back paws, spinning in midair before racing over to the fallen witch. Rhychard could hear her moan and breathed a sigh of relief that she still lived. :Is she okay?: he asked Kree.Kree leaned down, pressing his muzzle against Laci's sho
Warrior of the Way Chapter 255: Summerlands
Rhychard blocked another blast, sending it off to the side to explode into the ground. The gnomes fought from inside the ground, churning up the soil the demons stood upon and causing them to slip and lose their balance. Kree darted in all directions, drawing the demons' fire while he attempted to get close enough to bite one of them. The witches sent their power at the demons, Rose from behind and the others in front, doing their best to keep Baltabek and the others from focusing on any one person. They all did their best to bide Renny time to bring the other Warriors out of the sword, but Rhychard wasn't sure how much longer they could keep it up.The demons who possessed the witches spun, one sending a bolt of power at Rhychard's head and the other one sending one at his feet. He swung his sword, blocking the bolt to his head, but missing the one aimed at his feet. The magic snatched at his ankles, spinning him around and dragging him to the ground. His sword arm hit the ground, his
