Belly of the Beast Warren Thomas (e novels for free .txt) 📖

slashed Dakar’s fist when the God tried to punch him. Then he stepped up on Dakar’s bent right knee, surged up, and thrust his sword through the God’s throat.

            Tane didn’t see any sign it hampered Dakar at all. Instead, the God seized Armin by the throat with his left hand. His right reached for the Vikon’s head.

            Boom!

            The white hot energy arrow against Dakar’s left flank.

            “Joelle!” Tane cried, but turned to find Raven wearing the bow rings. She sent another energy arrow into the God.

            Boom!

            “I will devour all of your souls!”

            Dakar lifted Armin above his head with both hands. The Vikon had a knife in each hand, and was still trying to get to the God. Tane thought Dakar was going to throw Armin across the chamber. But he didn’t.

            Another arrow struck Dakar’s chest, right over his heart. Boom! And then the unfazed God bellowed in rage, and yanked Armin straight down across his knee.

            Tane, Raven, and Quinn all cried out in horror. Armin had a shocked look on his face, and then he went limp.

            “You murderer!” Tane screamed, and charged.

            Dakar smirked at him as he dropped Armin’s body to the floor and started to rise. Tane remembered both Raven and Armin as he closed, inside the God’s guard. He noticed Dakar tense, expecting a thrust into his belly again. A very painful wound from the Sword of Power, but one that would instantly heal nonetheless.

            It can’t heal if I don’t pull the sword out, Tane thought.

            Tane jumped, bringing his left foot down on Dakar’s right knee. His momentum pushed him upward and forward, even as he picked his spot and thrust with all his might. Dakar tried to lunge backwards, but too late.

            “Yes!” Quinn cried.

            The Sword of Power thrust into Dakar’s chest, right through His foul heart. Tane didn’t relent until the crossguard pressed against His unholy flesh. And then the God spun and cried out in pain.

            Tane went tumbling, landing headfirst on the floor. He rolled away, head spinning. The maelstrom thundered furiously from the portal in the middle of the temple. Was it louder now? Tane shook the cobwebs out as he struggled to his feet.

            “That’s a mortal wound,” Quinn said, suddenly seizing Tane. “You did it.”

            Tane stared at Dakar a moment. “No. Not yet.”

            Dakar frantically tried to get a grip on the hilt, but whether it was Kamain repulsing his hands, or the God had become mad with desperation, he had failed to do so. But Tane didn’t trust in luck.

            Pointing past Dakar at the maelstrom. “We have to get him into that! Help me push him in!”

            Tane took off after Dakar. He veered around to put the wounded God between him and the portal, before charging in and smashing into him. Dakar went reeling backwards. Then Quinn raced up, leaping high, and kicked Dakar in the chest with both feet. That sent the God back toward the maelstrom swirling out of the portal, but he stopped short.

            “My turn,” Raven said as she ran past, leaping up to kick Him with both feet.

            Her lighter weight didn’t push the massive God back much, but left him teetering at the edge of the portal. Tane’s eyes narrowed, and he took off running as fast as he could. He jumped up, and slammed both feet into Dakar right next to the embedded Sword of Power.

            Dakar cried out in rage and agony. He started to topple backwards. Tane’s eyes light up with joy, until Dakar’s burning red eyes locked on him. The falling God snarled and reached for Tane.

            “No!” Quinn cried, coming in fast and leaping up to kick Dakar the rest of the way into the portal.

            Only Dakar seized the half-elf’s leg. Tane and Raven lunged toward them, reaching for Quinn’s outstretched arms. But Tane knew they were too late.

            “Quinn!” Raven screamed.

            And then they were gone. Tane stared at the portal as the maelstrom reversed, and started flowing into the portal. He looked at Raven, who knelt beside him, tears flowing.

            Tane looked around the chamber. Jessy was over nudging Nizar with her foot, making sure he was dead. Joelle’s body remained unmoving beside the wall, with Armin’s crumpled body between them.

            Raven opened her arms, and they fell into each other crying.

Chapter 98

            Tane stared at the holy forge for the last time. For two weeks he’d toiled over it, making four more Swords of Power. Not welded blades, but true swords.

            “May this forge never be needed again,” he said.

            “Agreed,” Raven whispered, while Jessy nodded.

            The two women flanked him in the ancient temple. Neither wanted to return, but Tane needed it. One last look to ensure everything was truly finished. Dakar was gone, sealed away forever.

            He turned and walked slowly over to the middle of the chamber. They stopped at the edge of the dais. Tane was tall enough to see the four, silvery Swords of Power forming a cross over the sealed portal. Their runes glowed the orange of a hearth fire. Black-streaked dark red marble filled the hole where once Dakar emerged and unleashed the maelstrom. He was told it sealed itself.

            I suspect it was really the Arisen who sealed it. Probably Kamain.

            The people of Caeren promised to place a bronze plaque there to warn against removing the Swords of Power. They’d already drilled a hole in the marble floor to hold it. The rest of the chamber had been cleaned, leaving the marble gleaming in the still glowing lights above.

            “I wonder how long those lights will glow after they seal the city again,” he asked.

            Raven shrugged. “It was Dakar’s magic that lit them, so I’m surprised they’re still giving light. I suspect the light will fade soon.”

            “Hush,” Jessy said. “Never speak His name. Don’t test fate like that.”

            Tane touched Raven’s hand when she started to reply.