The Prophecy (The Guardians) - By Wendy Owens Page 0,72

at their elder, waiting for orders.

Standing directly behind the pack of Wintoks and to the outside, were two Krinams, their weapons already brandished. Gabe knew Uri had a special hatred for Krinams and assumed they would be the first he would go for. A Krinam was a serpent like being; it stood upright like a man but it’s head mirrored one more similar to that of a cobra. Uri had always hated snakes, and took great pride in killing any one that crossed his path. Gabe could only assume this Krinam would be no different.

“We need to see your identification, immediately.” the older Wintok demanded.

The three men approached the six creatures as if they were simply out for an afternoon stroll.

“Stop right there and provide your identification.” the creature shouted, growing increasingly impatient with the strangers.

“Did you hear him—boyssss?” a Krinam hissed as it arched it’s head back.

“Wow, you guys really are some ugly sons of a bitches, aren’t you?” Uri asked, his pace not slowing as he approached. Gabe smiled, he wanted to burst out laughing, but it seemed quite inappropriate at the moment.

“Seize them!” came the gruff command from the senior Wintok.

“I don’t think so.” Uri answered, pulling his sword out from behind his back, the blade making a hissing whisper as he did so. Gabe marveled for a moment at the green glow. He had always loved how each family line had their own color and Uri’s was quite impressive.

“Yeah, we don’t think so.” Haim added, revealing his hammer, which now glowed yellow. Both Uri and Gabe couldn’t help but chuckle at Haim’s attempt to feel part of the moment with what he thought would be a clever statement.

“What?” Haim huffed, his face scrunched up in annoyance.

“Nothing, dork,” Uri dismissed his friend’s comment. “You and Gabe take the Wintoks. I’ve got the two snake breaths.”

Gabe smiled at the confirmation of his assumption; Uri would in fact first kill the Krinams. Without another word the creatures charged at the sign of aggression. Haim swung his hammer over his head bringing it down wildly, and with a thunderous crack, the shell of a younger warrior Wintok split, revealing the wrinkly gray flesh beneath.

At the same moment, Uri lifted his sword and with a single swipe, sliced through one of the Krinams, leaving him in two pieces on the ground. The remaining serpent creature hissed in outrage as he saw his friend easily sliced into pieces.

“You’ll pay for thhhhaaaat.” the remaining Krinam warned.

Seeing that Uri was quite capable of handling himself, Gabe stepped forward. Lifting his sword in front of him, he thrust it into the backside of the Wintok Haim’s blow had exposed. With a gurgle, it released its last breath.

“Two down boys!” Haim touted.

“Does anyone else think that was far too easy?” Gabe asked, readying himself to do battle with the three remaining Wintoks.

“Who says mercenaries are any good at what they do?” Haim suggested.

“I suppose.” Gabe answered.

“How about we finish them off before we celebrate?” Uri suggested, deflecting the remaining Krinam’s blade as it lunged towards him.

“Good idea.” Gabe agreed, swinging his sword repeatedly at the battle rich Wintok.

Though the creature was large it moved swiftly and Gabe struggled to plant his blade anywhere in its body. He dipped, then weaved to the right, just as he was about to reach him, he slashed downwards with the sword. The Wintok rolled, ducking cleverly out of the way of Gabe’s sword once again. Behind him, Gabe caught sight of Haim smashing his hammer down between the eyes of one of the younger Wintoks. Its head splattered like a melon and Gabe wished he had not been so ambitious by taking on the battle scarred Wintok.

“Prepare to die, scum.” the Wintok warned. Gabe laughed in his mind, and had he not been so busy vigorously defending himself with his sword, he would have done it aloud to ensure the beast knew how ridiculous he sounded.

Gabe swung his sword again, but his opponent was quick to match his move, their blades clashed and clanged against one another, releasing a spray of sparks into the air. Gabe thought quickly, he could hear Haim and Uri still fighting around him and he knew neither would be coming to his aid. As the Wintok raised his sword for another swing, Gabe saw that the creature raised his head, revealing the soft fleshy part of his throat. Without a moment’s hesitation, Gabe swung with an upper cut, landing his fist squarely in the throat