Of Gods and Elves - By Brian D. Anderson Page 0,33
His legs burst to life as he sped toward Stintos.
The creatures revealed themselves just as Stintos came into view. Their figures were that of a man, but that was the only thing they had in common. They wore tattered clothes, blackened with grime and decay. Their faces were burnt, misshapen, and covered with deep scars, as if they had been assembled from the rotting corpses of a dozen dead men. But despite their outward appearance, their movements were unearthly... their speed unmatched by any Gewey had seen, save Lee.
They were on Stintos before he knew they were there. Each beast held a cruel dagger in hand, and with them they slashed at the elf’s throat. Stintos only barely avoided death by falling back onto the ground. But this only put him at a greater disadvantage. One of the creatures moved to plunge his dagger in the elf’s chest, but Gewey got there just before the fatal blow could be struck and removed the creatures head with one swift stroke. Thick, black blood poured from the beast's neck, as the body fell.
Gewey turned his attention to the second creature that was already in striking distance. The creature struck at Gewey's heart, but the power that flowed through him allowed him to easily avoid the attack. He brought his sword down across the creature’s chest, splitting it open and sending it tumbling to the ground. But to Gewey's dismay, this did not end the battle.
No sooner had the creature landed when it sprung to its feet and charged again, this time at the elf. The creature slashed at the left arm of Stintos, who deftly moved aside, and spun around, bringing his long knife across its back. But this did nothing to slow it down, as the creature also spun, swinging its own knife wildly. This time the blade struck home and slashed across the elf's ribs. Stintos groaned and staggered back.
Gewey knew this must end now. Linis was alone with one of these creatures, and he knew he must hurry to his aid. The head, he thought, and aimed his blade at the creature’s neck. It found its mark and the beast fell.
“Go back to the others,” Gewey commanded and tore off in the direction of Linis.
He found the elf three-hundred paces north, kneeling beside the dismembered body of the third creature... dismembered except for the head.
“Are you injured?” cried Gewey, relieved to see his friend alive.
“I will live.” Linis panted. “But as for this... thing, it has seen better days.”
Gewey moved closer. He eyes shot wide as he realized the beast still lived. The ground was covered with the creature’s thick, black blood, and its limbs were hacked and scattered about the ground. Still the thing snarled and growled, its eyes fixed on Linis. Linis stared in return.
Gewey touched Linis' shoulder. The elf looked up at Gewey and forced a smile. Blood soaked Linis' shirt... elf blood.
“We must tend to your wounds,” said Gewey. “Stintos was hurt as well.”
“Is he seriously injured?” asked Linis.
“I don't think so. He was on his feet when I left him.”
“Good.” Linis sighed. “As for me... I am fine. Thanks to your warning it is only a scratch.”
Gewey's eyes turned to the creature. “How does it still live?”
“I don't know,” said Linis in a whisper. “How do you live, beast!” His voice boomed, startling Gewey.
“I was never alive,” hissed the creature. Its voice was like the wheezing of a dying man, sick and labored.
“It speaks,” gasped Gewey.
“So it does,” remarked Linis.
“You shall all fall by the hands of my brothers,” spat the creature. “The master will see that it is so.”
“You mean the Dark Knight, don't you?” said Gewey.
The creature let out a gurgling laugh. “I know you. The God who will die like a man. The master will see to you soon enough.”
“What manner of beast are you?” demanded Linis.
“We are the Vrykol. We are the instrument of your demise.”
Linis stood, gripping his long knife so hard his knuckles turned white. “We shall see.” His blade flew down, cutting off the Vrykol's head.
“Are you alright?” called Kaylia’s voice from behind.
Gewey turned to see Kaylia, Theopolou, Haldrontis, and three other elves running up with weapons in hand. When they saw the mangled body of the Vrykol strewn about the ground, they stopped short.
“What is this... thing?” gasped Kaylia in horror.
“It's a creature of Angrääl,” said Linis. “It called itself a Vrykol.” He turned to Theopolou. “Have you heard of them?”