LOGINShare
Chapter 42: Reaping the Harvest
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Warrior of the Way Chapter 43: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard sat astride his Suzuki and stared up at Renny Saunders townhouse. The chilly, quiet night entirely swallowed the Friday sun. The sky was clear, the stars pin-pricking the night canopy. It was the first night of the Dark Moon. Tomorrow that moon would hold power, power Vargas would harness and use to open a Gateway to the Nether.Rhychard still wasn't sure how he would stop the Unseelie demon or if he even could, but he knew he would tell Renny the truth. He didn't think it would change anything between them, but she would know he hadn't cheated on her. That was all he wanted at this point, to clear his name in her eyes. He hated that she thought badly of him, especially since he hadn't really done anything wrong.Except not trust her. He should have told her everything from the start and not hid it from her no matter what Kendalais had commanded. Four years the two of them had been together, and he had listened to some pompous elf he had only known for a short time instead of
Warrior of the Way Chapter 44: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard closed his eyes and took another deep breath. You need her to listen, Rhychard. Don't fight. "No. But, that was the night everything changed. I know you'll doubt what I'm about to say, but hear me out. I can prove it."Renny crossed her arms and just stared at him as she arched her eyebrows."Oookay." Rhychard took a deep breath and began. "The night started when I got held up by a train, and then I heard someone scream. I went to investigate and wish I would have stayed in the truck." Rhychard told Renny how he came upon the gargoyles attacking Jamairlo. He explained how he felt a strong compulsion to get involved and how he joined in the fight and even killed a couple of the gargoyles himself. He told her about his last conversation with the elf and Jamairlo making him promise to hold on to the Guardian Sword until another elf appeared. He described his fear and how Kendalais arrived and announced Rhychard as a Warrior of the Way. He held nothing back no matter how crazy he
Warrior of the Way Chapter 45: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard walked over and scratched Kree behind the ears. The elven hound pushed his head into Rhychard's fingers. "He really is harmless, unless you're a pepperoni pizza, that is." :Thank you, my friend.: Rhychard turned to Renny but stayed where he was. "These are my friends. They've saved my life, as well as the lives of others. Tryna is the one you heard me talking to that night, and it was about me saving the police captain, John Relco. Renny, I have never lied to you or cheated on you. I just couldn't explain everything that happened to me. To be honest, I still can't. They are going against rules passed down over thousands of years to help me convince you of what is really happening. You have to believe me, Renny. Your life does depend on it."Renny sat there for a moment, staring. Rhychard just waited, giving her time to process what she was seeing; what she was hearing. He knew the shock it generated. Her living room had become a living fantasy novel. Yet, thanks to his friends
Warrior of the Way Chapter 46: Reaping the Harvest
After the others left, Rhychard and Renny talked well past midnight. She had question after question, and he patiently gave her the answers she needed if he had them. Some, he just didn't have replies for, but he promised to get them from Tryna or allow Renny to ask the ellyll herself. Renny wasn't sure she was ready for another face-to-face with the faerie world, though. He didn't push her. This had to be at her pace. He was just happy she agreed to skip the Saturday night service and avoid Adrian until it was all over. She would go stay with her parents, so the pastor wouldn't find her at home.By the time Rhychard left her apartment, he felt much better about where he stood with Renny. If things went right, perhaps they could even get back together. That would finally get his mother off his back.And make his world a brighter place."Don't get too far ahead of yourself, Rhychard," he said to himself, stepping out of the townhome entrance and into a humid Florida night. The absence o
Warrior of the Way Chapter 47: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard reached over his shoulder and gripped the Guardian Sword. He felt the warmth of its power filling him as he drew it from its sheath and brought it forward, the voices screaming for action. He wasn't sure his idea would work, but a fight where he chose the ground had to be better than where they were leading him. The minute they hurt him, Tryna would know and send Kree. Rhychard didn't want to get hurt, though.As he neared the next intersection, he swung out to the left, then made a hard right turn. He aimed his front tire at the gargoyle on the left. The creature jumped upward, into the sky, its wings pounding the air. The other beast lunged at the Warrior only to catch the sword across his left shoulder. The blade sliced in and lodged into the creature's body, eliciting an agonizing screech. Rhychard held tight, expecting to be yanked off the Suzuki. Just as he felt himself being jerked backward, the beast exploded into a storm of ash. The motorcycle swerved and jerked, and
Warrior of the Way Chapter 48: Reaping the Harvest
Rhychard sheathed the short swords and drew the Guardian Sword. Jerome hopped out of the Firebird, firing shot after shot at Rhychard. The magic sword deflected each one, sending it safely into the concrete. The driver abandoned the car, which was now blocking the ramp completely, and fired his own 9mm. Okay, this part I didn't consider. Rhychard kept the sword upright in front of him, its power drawing the bullets to it and sending them off to either side.The dark elf heard the fighting and returned. However, the Firebird blocked his motorcycle. Yet, he never slowed down. Rhychard stared. The elf was about to crash into the car and didn't seem to care.The two humans kept coming for him, preventing him from doing anything but blocking bullets. This wasn't working out the way he had planned, not that he really had a plan.As the dark elf aimed for the passenger side of the car, Rhychard watched as the Unseelie seemed to jerk the front tire into the air. The motorcycle shimmered as if
Warrior of the Way Chapter 49: Reaping the Harvest
"He's dead?" Buttercup just stared at him with her mouth open and her eyes revealing her disbelief. Rhychard wasn't sure if it was shock at the news or her still being half asleep that made her seem like she had trouble comprehending. Kree had felt the strain in Rhychard's mind before he pulled into Whispering Oaks about half-past four that morning and everyone inside the condo had known what happened by the time he passed through the front door."He's dead," Rhychard repeated. "So is his partner, two dark elves, and a score of gargoyles. They definitely didn't want me to go to church tonight." He tossed his jacket and the harness of swords on the small dining room table and dropped into his recliner. He was exhausted, and the main battle hadn't even happened yet. It was going to be a long day.Buttercup just stared into the air. Surely, a girl of the streets had seen death before, but how up close and personal, Rhychard wasn't sure. "Does this mean I'm safe?"Rhychard shook his head.
Warrior of the Way Chapter 50: Reaping the Harvest
Pastor Adrian left his seat in the front row, climbed the three blue carpeted steps to the platform, and clapped his hands along with the music. Minister of Music, James Henderson, brought the song to a close and dutifully stepped back, his small hands resting on the topside of his acoustic guitar. He gave Adrian a peculiar look, but Rhychard couldn't see a reason for it. Perhaps James was one of the pastor's victims. Maybe James just realized the man was a jerk. Adrian held up his hands. "Welcome, friends and guests! We are glad you have joined us for this great experience as we begin a new venture here at Harvest Fellowship. You have given up your Saturday night to share in an experience you will never have again. You have shown that being in church is more important than being in a nightclub getting drunk. I'm proud of you! And I promise, tonight, God will justly reward you for your efforts."The congregation cheered and clapped. It was more like a pep rally than a church service,
Latest chapter
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
