Spirit Blood: Genesis of War
Chapter 23

“Sonja?!” Davien exclaimed in shock to see her and her two children running frantically through the forest. “What are you doing here? Where is Massuoe?”

He gripped her shoulders trying to calm her as she shuddered shaking her head back and forth with a half crazed look in her desperate eyes. Both her children ran to Davien and grasped him as tight as they could looking for some kind of safety in his presence.

“Sonja!” He again exclaimed trying to catch her full attention. “Sonja, where is Massuoe?”

Finally she focused her eyes into his as she began to whimper and sob, “He…h…h…he’s dead.”

Her eyes filled with tears as she lowered her head. Her children reached out for her and smothered their heads into the comfort of her skirt and began to weep as well. Davien could see, even in the darkened night, that she was covered in blood, but only seemed to have minor cuts and abrasions.

“Sonja,” he began, trying to calm her, “are you hurt? You are covered…um, how did he die?”

Suddenly she remembered why she was there and just what was chasing them. Sonja gasped and began to madly look around her for the monster she knew was somewhere in the forest.

“The man…the man that follows us…he killed him.” Her eyes pleaded for Davien to help them. “He’s out there! Please help us!”

“Dulph, take them into the city and secure their safety. If you must, seal the gate, just get them inside first,” Davien ordered. “Use my horse!”

One by one the large soldier lifted Taoloe, Nia and Sonja placing them on Davien’s horse before mounting his own and taking off for the gate.

“All points converge to me on the east! We have an interloper in the forest,” Davien commanded over

his communicator. “Control, two horses should be attempting to enter soon carrying four riders. Do not, I repeat, do not allow anyone else to enter without my strict approval. We have a possible hostile situation. Please inform all necessary parties. Over.”

Inside the control tower, the controller informed Jason and Makaylen of the situation. Immediately Jason activated his armor and made haste to the city’s entryway. As he neared it, he witnessed Dulph and the frightened family of three making their way inside. The look of horror that baptized the woman and children’s faces pricked his heart afresh with memories of Thessa.

“Send for Chris and Moira immediately,” Jason commanded in his communicator speaking to the control tower. “Their help is needed at the gate.”

Jason rode up to the family and dismounted hoping to help them down from their horse. As soon as he reached out to help the woman, a sudden wave of fear rushed over her sending her into a fit of anger. She began to kick at Jason while screaming at him not to touch her children. He tried to explain he was only trying to help her down, but she couldn’t hear him over her own wails. Jason looked to Dulph who wasn’t having any better luck in coercing the woman to trust him either.

“Chris! Moira!” Jason yelled out seeing them coming their way.

They both hurried towards the family, but when Chris realized just who sat upon the horse, he rushed over to them calling out the woman’s name.

“Sonja! Sonja!” Chris yelled trying to catch her attention. “It’s me, Christopher. Sonja, look at me!”

The familiarity of his voice seemed to help her escape her tantrum. She looked away from Jason and noticed Chris trying to get her attention. Still in shock, however, she kicked at them not wanting anyone too close to her children.

“Sonja!” Chris yelled very loudly. “You must stop! We want to help you!” Seeing that she was

calming a bit, he continued with composure, “Sonja, you have to let us take you somewhere safe and get you cleaned up.”

He attempted to inch his way towards her thinking she may be calm enough to approach now, but as soon as his hand touched her leg she began to kick and scream in a frenzy again. Unsuccessfully Chris continued to try to ease her panic. I only hope, maybe seeing Makaylen will finally help her to calm down, he thought to himself as he dodged her flailing foot.

Dulph watched helplessly as the cleric and woman scribe tried to calm the poor woman when a sudden feeling of an icy winter wind blew across his back sending shivers up his spine, almost painfully. He turned to see Makaylen making his way to the scene and apparently not pleased with what he saw.

“ENOUGH!” Makaylen shouted causing all attention to instantly turn to him. As he neared the group of people surrounding the family he spoke calmly, “She’s been through enough, it seems. Please, everyone, step away from her.”

Chris began to speak, but Makaylen raised his index finger to his lips quieting him. Everyone did as Makaylen requested and stepped back. Sonja stared down at Makaylen only half recognizing him. Her mind was so filled with panic that she could only whimper and cling onto her children sitting in front of her. Makaylen could see in her eyes the desperation that haunted them. With a concerned and soft glance, he peered into her bloodshot eyes as they began to fill with tears again. She was covered in cuts, bruises and, what he could only assume meant the demise of Massuoe, dried blood.

With a slow and steady hand, he reached out for hers as he said, “Sonja, it’s okay to come down now. No one here is going to harm you.” With a smile he added, “I am still indebted to your family for your kindness. I am your friend.”

Almost unconsciously, Sonja grabbed Makaylen’s hand and slid off her horse into his arms. She broke

down into tears and buried her head into his chest. Jason then reached up and removed Nia and Taoloe giving them to Chris and Moira to tend to. Dulph cleared his throat to get Jason’s attention.

“Yes Private?” Jason asked the overly tall man.

“May I go and join my team now, Sir?” Dulph asked anxiously standing at attention.

Jason looked at this man with pride, for he showed more concern and value than the Sergeant that had resigned not more than an hour before.

With a cracked grin, Jason answered him, “Yes Private, you may join your team. And, I’m proud of you.”

“Hold on soldier!” Makaylen called out to Dulph as he mounted his horse to leave. “I’ll join you.”

Slowly Makaylen tried to ease out of Sonja’s grip and hand her over to Chris. She grabbed at his tunic not ready for him to leave her just yet.

“W…where…are you going?” She managed to ask through her quivering voice.

“I’m going to make sure you have nothing to fear any longer,” he coolly replied easing her hands into Chris’.

His words filled her with comfort as she turned to walk away with Chris. Remembering something, she quickly turned back around.

“Makaylen!” She called out as he mounted the horse her and her children had been riding. With pleading in her voice she announced, “Be careful…he’s looking for you.”

Davien used hand signals to Van, Rannon and Gideon for them to turn off their com-links and slip into the dark forest. Each of them were equipped with red tinted goggles helping them to see one another and, hopefully, their opponent. The tension was incredibly thick as each man moved slowly trying to flush out the infidel. Davien’s stomach turned when he saw Gideon running at Rannon with haste.

“GET DOWN!” Gideon yelled.

Davien dropped to his stomach just as several flashes of light and the sound of heavy pistols fired toward them rang out in the quiet night.

“MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!” Gideon cried out.

Davien began to military crawl through the weeds and brush attempting to make his way to them when he heard rifle shots being fired in return from their side. Once again the intense light impaired his vision as the sky was illuminated with fire bolts ripping through the air. To his shock, Van fell to the ground right in front of him. After examining his body, Davien determined that Van was dead. He took the weapons and extra shards Van had been carrying on himself and began again to make his way to where Rannon and Gideon had been. A short distance away Davien discovered Gideon leaning against a rock, catching his breath, with his rifle held across him. Davien crawled up and joined him against the rock.

“Rannon is dead,” Gideon huffed.

“So is Van,” Davien replied.

“Now what Sir?” Gideon asked hoping his Lieutenant had a good answer.

“Well, right now all I can tell you is what I’m not going to do,” Davien answered. “I’m not going to stay here and allow this piece of trash stop me from avenging my fallen comrades. I’m personally going to take care of this fool here and now.”

Gideon wiped his damp eyes with his sleeve and nodded, “Yes, Sir!”

Makaylen and Dulph made their way to where the other horses sat in wait. Dismounting, they made their way into the thick forest, Dulph wearing his red tinted goggles with his crossbow ready and

Makaylen with his sword. Dulph glanced at Makaylen amazed at how well he seemed to maneuver in the darkened forest with no visible means of help to see.

“Control, this is Makaylen. We’re switching to radio silence. Keep an eye on us,” Makaylen spoke into his communicator before motioning to Dulph to turn off his communicator.

Jason, now joined by Garrett and Ken, watched from the control tower as the controller switched the outside cameras to its black and white night vision and until the men could not be seen any longer.

Suddenly the night lit up with gunshots. Dulph began to pick up his pace to try and reach his comrades, but was interrupted by Makaylen yelling at him.

“Dulph! Stand down. We can’t be sure what’s out there. We don’t want to be ambushed.”

Reluctantly Dulph did as commanded. He hadn’t thought of an ambush; he only wanted to get to where his comrades were possibly in need of him. In the faint distance a voice could then be heard yelling ‘Man down, man down.’ Both men took off bounding through the forest to replace the fallen man. They took off even faster when they heard the sound of return fire. Dulph’s heart pounded as his adrenaline raced. Makaylen did not feel optimistic about the outcome of the shots. He knew from Sonja’s words that the only man she could be speaking of was none other than Jayhem; the one man who had been hunting him for many years. He was a ruthless killer and had much more power than all these other men combined. Jayhem himself was infused with manna in his DNA by means of dark magic and alchemy. Only himself, Makaylen feared, would be able to successfully eliminate this foe in the unfortunate darkness of night.

Davien readied himself for the fight that was sure to ensue. Van and Rannon were neither bad shots, so obviously the person hiding in the forest had had the drop on them. And now, Gideon and himself were stuck behind a rock hoping they couldn’t be seen.

“Sir, do you think this guy is an ordinary human? I mean…Van and Rannon…they weren’t clumsy guys,” Gideon stated, a bit shocked that two of his friends were actually gone.

“I’m not sure, but since traveling with Makaylen and Chris, I’ve seen some really odd things, so who knows,” Davien answered back.

Davien and Gideon could hear the sound of someone swiftly approaching. They both readied their weapons to fire at whatever was making their way to them. Just before they shot, they realized it was Makaylen and Dulph joining them to fight this unseen enemy.

“Am I happy to see you!” Davien said aloud to the two men.

Dulph rested his crossbow on the rock so he could scan the area with his thermal optic scope.

“I have no sign of any activity, Sir,” he announced to Davien.

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to see him through anything man-made, even techmagi gear,” Makaylen stated as he leaned over Rannon’s body inspecting his wounds to confirm what he already feared. “The man we are hunting is infused with manna.”

“How is that possible?” Gideon asked.

“The fundamentals are not only difficult to explain, being a mix of both science and magic, but there is also no time. We are in fact being hunted as well, and our advantage in numbers is actually not much of an advantage at all,” Makaylen somberly stated. “This abomination of a man is here to kill me. He’s been hunting me for many years. The details we can discuss later, but now we must act.”

“What do we need to do?” Davien, the one experienced at fighting at Makaylen’s side, asked.

“I need you three to go into the forest and try to surround him from the rear, the left and the right side. I will take him head on and try to keep his attention on me while you three get into a good position. I will lead him into the open where I will need you all.” Makaylen commanded. The three men nodded as

Makaylen continued, “It is imperative that you remain in the shadows and in position. Do not, I repeat, do not try and take this man on in a wet works or close combat. He will win I’m afraid. Ready?”

The only answer was in nods as each man took to their directions. Dulph and Gideon took off for the left and right flank while Davien took the rear. Makaylen walked out from behind the rock and found a clearing that was not too far. He stood in the middle without any covering to conceal him waiting for Jayhem to make a move out of his own hiding place.

Jayhem noticed the peculiar actions of Makaylen. It seemed as if he were merely waiting to be killed rather than ready for a fight. What is he thinking? Jayhem thought to himself trying to figure out his opponent’s move.

“So, I finally meet up with the infamous Makaylen Stryphe and he isn’t even going to give me a fight?!” Jayhem yelled out from his spot making sure he was concealed by the echo’s of his voice . “I’m not sure this isn’t a trick of some sort.”

Swiftly Jayhem moved through the trees in attempt to come closer to Makaylen and remain hidden.

“Jayhem!” Makaylen shouted back. “I am here for you to finally collect your mercenary bounty. Come and get me!”

“You’d like that wouldn’t you? Obviously you have a trap planned,” Jayhem stated suspiciously. “What are you up to Makaylen? You’re giving up your plan of attack. Why are you making it so easy for me to see that you are planning an ambush?” Jayhem asked continuing to move from position to position.

The other three men heard this and worried with anxiety. They too wondered what Makaylen actually had planned.

“You’re right Jayhem. I am planning an ambush. However,” Makaylen said, still trying to lure his foe into the open, “I will not have my men attack if you are man enough to step out here and face me like a

true Guardsman!”

This statement sparked Jayhem’s anger as he spit out his words, “You are a traitor and a hypocrite! You killed men who were just like you… a Killer! And you want to try and convince everyone that we are the bad guys because we didn’t follow you and your reformed ways?” Memories of a more glamorous and murderously content life he’d led, flooded through Jayhem’s mind fueling his already heated hatred for Makaylen. “Before you turned your back on us my existence was perfect, but now I kill not for money, but for the chance to avenge my fallen brothers and sisters and, even more, to finally quench my hatred for what you have done!”

Makaylen’s own temper began to rise, something he tried very hard to suppress, with thoughts of those past days. Yes, Makaylen had killed those which he had at one time considered equals, but he had been shown the right path and their ways were the epitome of wrong. If they couldn’t turn down the right path then they could not be allowed to live. The true Guardsmen of those days were too powerful to allow to continue in their abominable ways.

“Yes, Jayhem, I have committed murder in your eyes, but I only did what had to be done. If you hate me so much, then why don’t you come and earn your own murderer’s wage? Come and replace out what the others found out themselves…the hard way!” Makaylen taunted.

Jayhem’s rage overtook his wisdom causing him to leap from his hiding spot in the trees and open fire at Makaylen. His yell of fury gave him away. Makaylen instantly began to move and sway in an acrobatic way avoiding every bullet, but yet still standing his ground. He wanted Jayhem to be close; he couldn’t afford to leave the spot he was standing in. Jayhem gained ground continuing to fire. Suddenly Makaylen leapt into the air, and with a blink, landed directly behind Jayhem. Jayhem’s superb training benefited him as he rolled on the ground and spun on one knee, both pistols raised, facing Makaylen. Before he

could fire, Makaylen knocked both guns free from his hands and landed a kick in Jayhem’s chest plate knocking him backwards. Moving with the momentum, Jayhem rolled backwards and rose to his feet wielding two short swords.

Twirling them in his hands, and stepping backwards, Jayhem taunted, “You like these Mak? They look pretty familiar, don’t they? I took them from your now dearly departed student. After you showed yourself to be a coward, she became my student. Funny how that worked out, huh?”

Makaylen held in his anger hoping Jayhem was lying, however, it wasn’t in Jayhem’s mentality to lie when cruelty and death were involved.

“I’m afraid, however, that I had to blow her pretty little kitty face into a million pieces when, for some odd reason, your demented teachings seemed to have diseased her conscience and she turned on me,” he taunted again. “So, I killed her and I had fun doing it too. Tell me, with that magnificent ability of yours, am I lying?”

“I don’t have to use my abilities to know you are monster enough not to lie about killing someone for fun,” Makaylen replied, trying to hold back tears for Rain Star. “You have made the biggest mistake of your life, which is going to end…Now!”

Makaylen lashed out with ferocious slashes and hacks marveling even Jayhem. The two men clashed together in a blur of steel and sparks. Davien and the other men began to advance towards the clearing. The sound of grunts, yells and their swords thrashing against one another rang out in the virtually quiet forest. Jayhem began to swing his swords in a crisscross motion trying to put Makaylen on the defense, but instead, Makaylen deflected one shot after another. Finally, Makaylen saw an opportunity to kick him with a side kick to Jayhem’s gut which sent him to his back, once again weaponless.

“So, now what?!” Jayhem yelled at Makaylen. “Are you just going to kill me? Then what, are you

going to be satisfied in your revenge?”

Makaylen suddenly stopped and stood back. He knew, just now, that what started out as justice had quickly turned into revenge. He knew he couldn’t kill Jayhem for revenge or he wouldn’t be any different than the man he had once been.

“No, I won’t be the one to destroy you this time,” Makaylen replied as he sheathed his sword.

Jayhem sneered when he heard the sound of several guns being locked and charged in the shadows. Obviously he was trapped by the very ambush Makaylen had admitted to earlier, but the over confidence of two of the other men caused them to slightly move out of the shadows. Jayhem rose with lightening quickness, pulled both bowie knives from within his boots and threw one at Dulph and the other at Gideon. Makaylen tried to move and intercept the knife headed for Dulph, but was hindered by Jayhem kicking dust into his face and blocking his vision. Davien dove for the knife headed for Gideon, but fell inches short of the knife hilt as he hit the ground and rolled back to his feet. A loud clank sounded in both directions as each knife found their target. Makaylen instinctively turned, rubbing his eyes, to see Gideon holding his rifle on the ground with the knife still in it and Dulph with a knife buried deep into his chest. In that split second, Jayhem, knowing he was defeated, ran off in the opposite direction escaping his doom.

Dulph looked down at the knife hilt protruding from his chest. He looked back up at Makaylen as if to say ‘I’m sorry’ before he fell limply to the ground.

“We must hurry and get back to the city,” Makaylen stated. “Our enemy will now know exactly where we are.”

The remaining two men, of the original five, hung their heads low and only nodded to Makaylen’s statement. Obviously this night wasn’t to be like any other normal night, and as they placed the bodies of

their fallen comrades on the backs of their horses, no one spoke in shock of tonight’s events.

The gates to Malvra opened up and the three dirty and rundown heroes solemnly entered in. Each of them lead a horse carrying the body of a soldier now gone. Jason, Ken and Garrett ran to their companions in awe of what they saw.

“What happened?” Jason calmly asked seeing only three living men out of six.

“A madman followed the poor woman and her children here. Unfortunately,” Makaylen spoke, now raising his head up to look into Jason’s eyes, “he was only here to replace me. Apparently, he kept them alive in hopes they would lead him to me.”

Makaylen’s face wore his torment and anger over what had occurred in the forest. Quickly he looked down again, not wanting to lose his composure by seeing the distraught and pitiful eyes of his friends.

“Yeah, he came here for you and you didn’t finish him off! You lead some maniacal Guardsman here and he got away!” Gideon yelled at Makaylen, overcome with rage.

“Mind your tongue Private!” Jason demanded.

Gideon was not going to be intimidated by size or rank, for his fury at Makaylen and the death of his friends was too much for him to manage.

“No, Sir! This man is not of any rank and isn’t even in the military as far as I know! Yet, we’ve been taking orders from him like he’s someone of importance!” Gideon stormed over to Makaylen and stood nose to nose with him adding sourly, “So, tell me, Great One, why did you let that man live?”

Makaylen held in his own anger as he answered, “Why did you?”

Grinding his teeth, Gideon snarled and stormed off after slamming his shoulder into Makaylen and knocking him to the side a bit. Makaylen again lowered his head and lifted his hood in order to hide his agitated eyes.

“Gentlemen,” Makaylen slowly said speaking to Jason, Ken and Garrett, “our position is known to our enemies. We have little to no time to prepare.” With a tone of depression, he added, “No longer can we wait, we must act now. I would like to request a meeting with all involved parties shortly. I’m…,” he sighed, “in much need of prayer first, however. Would it be possible to meet in half an hour?”

“Sure, Makaylen. That can be arranged,” Kenneth replied, feeling quite sorry for his friend.

“Thank you,” Makaylen whispered as he walked off alone to replace a quiet place to pray and focus on Shiloh’s will for them all.

Davien walked up to Jason with no expression upon his face, “Sir, I believe Gideon deserves a promotion.”

Jason glanced in the direction Gideon had left and then back at Davien, “I believe you may be right Lieutenant. I believe you may be right.”

Standing amidst the war council after the horrible events just half an hour earlier, Makaylen wished he didn’t have to be the one to explain why Jayhem had been searching for him. His past was behind him, dead, but past decisions cannot be erased just because you have turned to the right path. Consequences of those decisions may still plague us for years and years to come. Such a plague was his decision to become a Guardsman so many years ago. Reluctantly, Makaylen addressed the council to brief them on the situation at hand.

“I’ve called this meeting today to suggest our next course of action. The fight that ensued tonight outside the city gates, which regrettably took the life of three of our brave soldiers, was a perfect indication that we can train and wait no longer. We must move out at first light with all our available fighters and take on the army of Talkain. The man that we fought tonight is employed by Canoes, the

leader of the Dread Army, and also regrettably, was here to replace myself. Now that he has discovered where I am currently located, the whereabouts of any possible challenger to their plans, namely ourselves, is also known. Now is the time to transport the rightful heirs to Talkain and smite the wicked there in.”

“No,” Jason spoke up, “I do not think it wise to transport the prince and princess back to a kingdom still occupied by the enemy. Not until we have overcome them and removed the slime sitting in the throne do they need to be taken there.”

“Jason, I can understand your opposition, but as soon as the evil there has been vanquished immediately there must be a king to sit in the throne. There won’t be time for traveling here and there after the war. The best plan is for them to be safely escorted with the army so they can be put immediately in the throne after our victory,” Makaylen tried to explain.

“Forget about the prince and princess!” An angry voice yelled from the small crowd present at the meeting.

Slowly the owner of the voice made himself known as Gideon, both hurt and still in shock, walked from the back of the room headed straight for Makaylen. His eyes were bloodshot and his face wore his anguish.

“Why don’t you tell them the truth; that three great men were killed because you continually let some madman live. You knew he wasn’t completely human, yet you still had us go after him!” Gideon bawled.

“Gideon,” Makaylen started slowly, hoping to keep the man from getting any angrier, “I have every intention of explaining the situation. I take full responsibility for their deaths. I cannot apologize enough, I know, but will you please allow me to try?”

Gideon stormed off. He knew in his heart that death was the unfortunate possibility of a life in the military and that his friends were proud to have been able to do their part. Gideon slowly left the meeting

to quietly reflect in his barracks.

Again addressing the council, Makaylen continued, “I’m sorry. I’ve also called this meeting to give you a brief history of myself and the man that was here tonight. This way, it will be clear to all just what kind of people we may be facing in our battle with Talkain. The man that was here was once a Guardsman, people trained in a strange art of ancient times. After their training they are infused with manna through a abominable concoction making them much more powerful than any normal human. I, many years ago, was a Guardsman just like them, only I was never infused. Long ago the Guardsmen were a symbol of peace and justice, but now they are keepers of their masters will; their masters being powerful Tech-Magi. The rest is a very long and painful story, and we just don’t have time. Basically, we will be fighting more than beasts, monsters or anything else most of you have probably ever heard of. We will be fighting the very most evil beings possible. Beings either trained, manipulated or direct descendants of the Diabolous Xythanians. I don’t tell you these things to scare, but to warn, to prepare. The battle before us can, and I believe, will be won, but Jayhem’s appearance here tonight only made clear to me things I had feared. I myself made many enemies of the Guardsmen when I turned from their ways and embraced the path of the Celestians. The details of that turning…well, that’s for another time. I suggest every able bodied fighter prepare tonight to leave. It is my opinion that our holy man, Christopher, be left here along with a number of men to protect the woman and children should anyone choose this time to attack Malvra.”

Jason, Ken and Garrett all exchanged looks before agreeing with Makaylen’s plan. Jason wanted to argue the decision to include the prince and princess, but he knew Makaylen was right about the precious timing after the battle. With heavy hearts, the men and woman prepared for what first light would mean and the fact, many of them knew, that some of these brave men would not be returning. The remainder of

the night lulled into a quiet and downcast morning.