Great Lycan Wars

Ch. 6 The Bats and the Bowman

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Disclaimer: I do not own Battleon, AdventureQuest, the idea of Lycans or Vampires or Werepyres, Robina, Elizabeth, Artix or anything/one else created by Artix Entertainment. I do own my original characters Zerix, Mia, and Bane.

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Zerix and Bane sat at the edge of the forest, looking out into the dark and desolate plains. Night had fallen by now and Mia had yet to wake up. Bane thought it was more likely that she would wake in the morning. They’d have to be ready, for she would need sustenance by then.

“Bane…” Zerix started, falling silent.

Bane looked over to Zerix, who looked a little downcast, “Yeah, what do you want?”

“I was wondering…” He said, “Do you happen to have a cup or a bowl or something to hold water to drink?”

“Yeah, why-?” Bane’s eyes widened, “You’re not thinking-“

“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.”

Bane smirked, “You’re one strange Lycan, I’ll give you that.” He reached into his coat and revealed a small tin cup. “This will do I should guess.”

“I thank you,” Zerix replied, taking the cup, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Going to the ‘river’, right?” Bane called smugly after him.

“Sure, let’s say that.”

The blackness receded as Mia opened her eyes to see a pair of black eyes staring down at her. It was light outside and she could see Zerix clearly enough; he was squatting over her holding a cup of some sort. She felt weak, everything felt heavy, even her eyelids drooped under the intense weight.

“Zerix…?”

He shushed her and held out the cup, “Drink this.” He said simply.

“But I need-“ Mia tried, before Zerix cut her off.

“I know, don’t worry about it, just drink.”

Mia took the cup gently with her heavy arms, it was an effort, but she did it anyway. Before bringing it to her lips, she looked inside to see its crimson content. “This isn’t-!?”

He shushed her again, “I said drink. Bane and I are going to scout around; we’ll be back for you soon.” With that, Zerix left Mia to her drink of his own self-extracted blood.

Bane was crouched on the edge of the forest, just under the branches looking out into the plains. A hand fell on his shoulder and his flipped around to see who is was, his hand almost going to a stake. It was only Zerix. Bane sighed, “Don’t scare me like that.”

“I’d thought we had gotten past this Bane.” Zerix said in mock disappointment.

“Don’t joke with me, we need to be serious here,” Bane scowled at Zerix and turned back to the plains. “I saw some movement over the hill; I’d have checked it out, but…” He pointed up.

Zerix looked up through the branches. A single Vampyre Bat flew over head, circling back and forth over the trees. Zerix would have normally disregarded it, but it was in plain daylight. It had to be on patrol.

“You see it?”

“Yeah, what are we going to do about it?”

Bane sighed, “We’ll wait until it finishes its rounds and flies away, then we’ll make a run for it across the plains, with any luck, we’ll make it to the nearest town by dawn tomorrow.”

Zerix nodded, it wasn’t the best plan, but it was the best they had. “Should I get Mia?”

“Not yet, we-“ Bane stopped in mid-sentence as an arrow pierced the air, flying out from behind the hills. It sped on up above the edge of Darkovia Forest and hit the Bat.

“What the hell was that!?” Zerix blurted out.

“Someone’s over there!” Bane snarled angrily and stomped out of cover.

Zerix stood there, not believing what he was seeing, “Bane! Where are you going?”

“Our position is compromised, there is not point in hiding, they know where we are.” Bane yelled back and broke into a run. Obviously, he wanted to see who or what had shot down the bat. Zerix was just as curious, so he followed after the slayer-in-training.

It didn’t take them long to find the bow’s wielder. A man, probably 20 years of age, stood squinting at the horizon, before he noticed Zerix and Bane running towards him. “Why hello travelers, how can I help yo-” He was cut off when Bane grabbed the neck of his shirt and lifted.

“Do you have any idea what you have done!?” Bane asked in obvious rage.

The man struggled a bit and managed to spit out, “I- I don’t- I just needed- Don’t hurt me!” He was pathetic, he dropped his bow and started breaking down.

“Bane, drop him!” Zerix ordered, “Can’t you see that he-”

“It doesn’t matter, the vampyres know where we are and this man is the cause of it!” Bane snarled.

“Vampyres!?” The man squeezed out in a terrified squeal. He began to struggle more.

“Stop!” Bane yelled and shook the man again. He looked over to Zerix, as if to say something, then his eyes widened. He looked back towards the forest, as did Zerix.

“Mia!” They both yelled simultaneously. They both started off, but Zerix was faster, not having a man to drag.

“Mia! Mia!” He yelled, reaching the edge of the forest. She was standing right on the border with a quizzical look on her face. She was obviously confused.

He stopped in front of her and grabbed her arm, “No time to explain!” He shouted, pulling her away from the forest. “Vampyres are coming!”

And as if on cue a spear shot out of the bushes and hit the ground right next to Zerix’s right foot, a near miss. Zerix stopped and turned back toward the trees, his hand reaching for the Dualight blade at his belt and leaving Mia to Bane. They were here already…

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Zerix: Finally, I’ve updated. I know it’s been a while, but believe me, it’s not easy writing a story when you are having as many computer problems as I am. Please, just enjoy the story. I’ve altered it a bit from my original plan, I’ve had a bit of inspiration. Until the next chapter: Secret Passage.