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Chapter 16: Reaping the Harvest
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Warrior of the Way Chapter 17: Reaping the Harvest
There were few places Rhychard enjoyed. He and Renny were never ones to go out clubbing, preferring quiet dinners and cuddling up on the couch to an old Cary Grant movie or attending a jazz concert in the park. However, Common Grounds was one of his sanctuaries. The other was a quiet cigar lounge called Embers that overlooked the river. It was a small place with a leather and mahogany bar, plush chairs and couches and a walk-in humidor. There were two televisions, one showing sports and the other news, and the channels rarely changed. A balcony attached to the back of the building held small tables with metal chairs for those who wanted a view of the river while enjoying the cool evening breeze.At least, that described a typical night at Embers. However, this Friday night the Florida weather dropped a deluge of rain upon the inhabitants of the East Coast. Rhychard darted in, using his jacket to try to cover his head, but barely succeeding. He bought a Rocky Patel and a Jameson before
Warrior of the Way Chapter 18: Reaping the Harvest
The bar was close to downtown where they killed Jamairlo, so Rhychard followed Kree's path, minus the rooftop part. The rain ceased, leaving the city in a blanket of puddles and dripping trees. It was morbid to him that people, even gargoyles, would continue to huddle around a place of death. He understood leaving flowers and such, but to hang out on the side of the road and just stand around had too much of the macabre in it for him. He would rather celebrate life than death. Of course, the Void would use any means to gain strength from a victory over the Way.:There are only three. However, they seem more intent on watching a young lady walking the street.::What is she doing?::Vomiting.::Is she drunk?: Rhychard supposed creatures of darkness had to get their entertainment somehow. They probably didn't have cable television in the Nether, and Vargas was too cheap to spring for it in his evil lair. Did demons even have lairs? Or was that strictly a comic book thing? He still had so
Warrior of the Way Chapter 19: Reaping the Harvest
Saturday morning arrived way too early as far as Rhychard was concerned. He rolled over onto his side and tried to focus on the digital clock sitting on the television tray he used as a nightstand. 12:07. All right, he thought as he flopped back onto his back, noon came way too early.He opened and shut his eyes a few times, chasing away sleep as he coaxed his body into a sitting position. From the foot of his bed, he heard the familiar mixture of air popping and jingling bells. "Rhychard, come quick!" Tryna vanished as soon as she finished speaking.Rhychard stared at the vacant spot, wondering if she would return and tell him where "here" was.:Warrior, to the park with haste!: Kree's voice sounded strained. :Gargoyles attack!:Rhychard hurled himself out of the twin bed and shoved himself into clothes. He snatched his harness of short swords along with the Guardian Sword with one hand, sliding it over his arms and strapping them onto his back. At the same time, he grabbed his brace
Warrior of the Way Chapter 20: Reaping the Harvest
The girl, Latina descent now that Rhychard could see her, was crawling out of the lake on to the grassy shore. Something about her seemed familiar, but Rhychard couldn't get a good look at her. Kree stayed close to the woman, his massive frame dwarfing her huddled form. It was like looking at a baby with a lion. Tryna popped into the air below one of the gargoyles and shoved upward where the beast's genitals would be. Did gargoyles even have genitals? Regardless, it was a weak spot, and the blade sank into the creature. Both Tryna and the blade poofed out of sight again, followed shortly by the dead gargoyle.Rhychard held his swords in front of him. Two left.He stood, braced, swords pointing outward. The remaining two gargoyles forgot the girl, evidently realizing that the threat Rhychard posed was greater than their attack on the girl. One gargoyle flew up, the other down, both focused intently on Rhychard. So much so in fact that they forgot Kree's reach, and the one flying low cam
Warrior of the Way Chapter 21: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard took a long drag from his cigar, held the smoke a moment, and then exhaled slowly, sending smoke ribbons over the porch railing. It was his favorite place in the apartment and the only place not covered in left-behind fur. It was odd having a roommate who shed, but Rhychard would take that over blaring rap music any day. His last roommate had been a disaster, and he was more than pleased that nightmare had ended.When he entered his apartment, Rhychard had deposited the still unconscious girl on his bed and left her in Tryna's tiny, but capable, hands. Kree merely took over the couch, as always, head resting on one arm, feet dangling off the other. The faerie was probably the least intimidating of the three of them, even being a creature over six hundred years old.The fact that gargoyles tried to rip the girl apart and in broad daylight, a pretty bold move on their part, bothered Rhychard. Of course, creatures of the Void didn't care if humans saw them as it only enhanced the
Warrior of the Way Chapter 22: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard found he was pacing again. None of it was making sense. Guardian. Swords. Elves. He walked to the back of his apartment and stared out the window. He had gone crazy. That was all there was to it. No one would believe him. Hell, he didn't believe him. He took a few deep breaths to try to calm his nerves, but it didn't help. What was he going to tell Renny?"I understand that all of this is more than your human brain can comprehend, but we do not have time for you to ponder your fate. John Relco is in danger, and the Destroyer is trying to have him killed. We must protect him."Rhychard recognized the name from Jamairlo but didn't know who it was. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. The last time he helped someone, his world exploded. He ran his hand through his long hair. He just wanted all of this to go away."I will allow you tonight to contemplate the truth of things. Tomorrow, I will return, and we will begin your sword training as I assume you have not used one before the ot
Warrior of the Way Chapter 23: Reaping the Harvest
"Well, I can only guess, but I'd say you've made some life-changing decisions lately," Rhychard said. "Gargoyles are servants of the Void, what you would call evil. My guess would be, you lived your life in a way that honored or served the Void and recently made a decision that would put you on the path of the Way, which, basically, you would call good. The Void hates losing members, but then again, what religion doesn't. The Void's exit plan, however, is a little drastic."Buttercup glared at the Warrior. "I am not evil."Tryna reached out and brushed the hair from the girl's eyes. "No, sweetheart, you are not.""Nevertheless, you were living for the Void," Rhychard said, ignoring Tryna's icy glare. "You may not have shed blood or practiced occult sacrifices, but you were living your life for the Void, regardless.":Your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired,: Kree's voice sounded in his head. Rhychard ignored him. No one took it easy on him when he discovered faerie tales were re
Warrior of the Way Chapter 24: Reaping the Harvest
It was an excellent question. Outside of conquering an establishment of the Way and desecrating sacred ground, Vargas seemed way too hungry for Harvest Fellowship for there not to be something else motivating him. Rhychard tied his long, black hair into a ponytail with a leather thong, donned his long coat over his swords, and left the others in his apartment. Buttercup had calmed down, but only after Tryna put an enchantment on her to make her sleep. He still wasn't sure what to do with the street hooker. As soon as she reappeared on the street, the gargoyles would be after her. She was a liability to whatever Adrian and Vargas were scheming.All across Harbor City, the nine-to-five types made the most out of their weekend. They had traded their suits and ties for shorts and flip-flops as they made their way to parks and malls. The late August air was balmy as it kicked up mini-tornadoes, sending leaves and discarded candy wrappers into a swirling frenzy. Rhychard allowed his jacket t
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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
