88. Malkar

88

Malkar

R ilitar's loss burns. Unfortunately, Beyrthnel stole that kill, leaving us bereft of taking his life.

I'm so angry I don't know what to do with myself. I had thought that for the god to return, he needed mine and Kami's death.

Yet Kami did die, didn't she? And apparently, Rilitar's sacrifice was enough to lend Beyrthnel the power of new life.

It's like every time we take two more steps the finish line, they pull it a little farther away.

The urge to turn into my Better form and try to eat the war god is fierce.

But my new family will be vulnerable without me.

Kami and her goddess must fight him alone. We can do nothing to help and would only stand in her way.

But the Nyte Guard, and the archdemon, are a challenge.

A shriek sounds, and a loud boom knocks me back.

I blink up through hazy vision, aware that mini explosion smelled like death. Like Caethybdue .

Except the person behind the boom is Daleyne, holding that fucking ax.

She's made a large dent in the ground, from which a ripple mars the earth. That turns into a hole…

"It's a portal," Oz growls. "She's using the god-slayer. It's rumored to have been gifted to her people long ago by a god with vengeance on his mind. It's got powers."

Would have been nice to know before. But Oz is distracted by mercenaries pouring through the portal.

I recognize a few fae from Rilitar's House, as well as many from Godtown. Likely the fuckers she made deals with not long ago, stealing them from their masters.

Daleyne is devious and smart. I can't leave her to Oz.

I have her, Crash sends me. Take care of Algraas while Ries and Oz handle the mercs.

To Oz and Ries I say, Did you hear Crash? You two need to keep the mercs and Nyte Guard handled. Away from Kami.

Ries nods. We'll protect her, right, Oz?

"Yes." He roars and jumps into the middle of the portal, crushing skulls and tearing limbs.

Ries laughs and joins him, the thrill of battle overriding good sense.

At least Crash seems invulnerable to Daleyne. I don't have to worry about her talking him into not killing her. Crash really hates her for what she's done to Oz, and for behaving so contrary to what a good mother does.

His memories of his own family filter through every now and then, and I know I would have liked all of them. Especially his twin.

I stalk Algraas, pleased to see him scowl.

"I have no quarrel with you, dragon. Be at peace and celebrate the war god's return. "

"Fuck off." I'm a beast in my half-form, using the blades of my claws and tail with precision.

Crash's fire won't hurt an archdemon of Algraas's stature. I'm not sure why he catered to the monarch so long, but apparently, he switched sides the moment the war god came into the picture.

Now that I've shown who and what I am though, I know I have to end the demon. Though my parts typically have the most powerful effect on fae, dragon gems have been known to be used by demons.

He laughs then aims right at me, knocking me out of the sky as we rip at each other and tumble to the ground.

Crash's fire couldn't hurt him. But I know for a fact my cold magic will.

I breathe over his eyes, the cold so deep it solidifies the orbs in seconds. I shatter one.

He screams so loud he blows an eardrum.

Which takes me off balance.

We crash to the ground hard, and he tears into me. But my scales temper his claws.

Our tales collide, and I'm digging as hard as I can into him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Daleyne rushing us with her ax held over her head. Her face is contorted into a mask of hatred.

Crash was supposed to handle her.

Where is he?

The distraction costs me, and I scream with rage and pain as Algraas tears into my belly, his claws sliding between my scales.

The pain is excruciating.

I look up to see the ax overhead. God-Slayer. Surely it will damage a Better if it's been built to handle gods.

But the blow never lands. Oz knocks into his mother and shoves her so hard I hear ribs snap.

"Quit fucking around, Malkar," he snarls and dives after her.

Crash runs by and joins him.

Algraas digs past another set of scales, and I'm done dancing with this demon.

I let myself grow, let my magic all out for everyone to see.

I even distract Beyrthnel with my magnificence. It's just for a moment, but Caethybdue slaps him so hard he staggers back.

Algraas is crushed under my bulk, the beauty of his snapping bones music to my ears.

He's not dead. It takes a lot to kill an archdemon.

Before I can attack, Ries hurries around me carrying God-Slayer. "I got this."

Huh.

I step back and grow a little bit more. Once at my largest size, I sight the Nyte Guard and scorch them with my cold fire.

They die where they stand, until they'll be reborn, I gather.

No. Like this.

I hear Kami in my head, which shouldn't be possible since Caethybdue is wielding her.

Her body at least.

Kami?

Hurry, Malkar, before they reform. They grow stronger each time they die.

I follow her commands, using her magic, somehow, to take their souls and push them into Death's embrace.

The Nyte Guard aren't happy to leave, but they can't fight a soul-taker.

Even one who's taken residence in a Better.

I'm so lucky to have such an incredible mate. I wonder if some day she will birth our young.

Only if we survive this. Focus, dragon. You're beautiful, yes. We all know. But a little dense, aren't you? Kami retorts.

I smile, laugh, and dig back into the troops coming through the portal once more.

And I know that if today is the day that I die, I can do so with honor and glory.

Just as long as I take Algraas, Beyrthnel, and Daleyne with me.

But not until I've feasted on the blood and brains of the elves and mages pouring through the portal.