Chapter 30: Blood On The Snow[3]
Rain unsheathed his sword and attacked the elders. Tarlock was too immersed in the demise of Kayla that he failed to notice Rain behind him as he swung his sword.
The sound of air being cut alerted Tarlock as he moved to dodge but it was too late, the sword cut through his right arm and it plopped down on the ground with his sword.
He howled in pain as he jumped back and the other elders attacked Rain. He dodged twice before he swung his sword and it clashed with the weapons of the elders.
He aimed his free hand towards the elders and snapped his fingers, a loud sound reverberated and the head of one elder was blown up by a compressed gust of wind.
They had an advantage in numbers but Rain was seasoned, and was not as easy as Kayla. Without wasting more time he took out another sword from his inventory.
The black blades of both the swords reflected the sunlight as the fight continued. ’I was late, one of the endings I calculated already happened.’ He thought as he blocked a heavy strike with both of the swords and jumped away.
"You’re at a disadvantage human, how are you going to fight us alone?" Tarlock mocked him and asked.
"Numbers don’t win battles, Tarlock. Discipline does." Rain replied, his voice being as calm as it normally was.
"We’re blessed by the Wolf God. Who are you blessed by, puny human?" Tarlock mocked
"When you’re about to die, don’t ask for mercy because we Wolves don’t show mercy." Another elder declared as he swung his axe, aimed at Rain’s head.
Rain raised his sword and blocked the axe, and kicked the elders chest which made him cough violently.
Another one swung his sword but Rain kept blocking, each and every attack. There was not even the slightest of bruises, anywhere on his body.
He shot more wind bullets at the elders and cut the distance between them. One elder who was busy in trying to dodge the wind bullet was stabbed though his chest.
The others seeing this attacked him again, one slashed towards his neck and the other towards his torso.
He blocked the one aiming for his neck barely saved his torso from being sliced apart as he rolled back. A vertical cut went from his right shoulder till his left kidney.
It stung a lot as blood wet his shirt. Rain knew he couldn’t delay this fight, he had to finish this quickly. So, he decided to use a skill he didn’t like to use.
A skill which makes him a different person. His eyes shone brightly, a flame erupted out of his right eye and a grin formed on his face.
The bodies of the Wolves convulsed as they dropped down their weapons. Their body was no longer in their control, it was as if they were marionette’s being driven by a puppeteer.
This was the exclusive skill of Rain, Marionette Master. Which lets him make people his puppets for two minutes.
That was enough time for Rain to cut off the hands of each elder. They hadn’t protested, just looked at the ground lifelessly.
After he was done he let go of them and as soon as they returned back to normal all of them cried in pain writhing on the ground. From between them his gaze came across Kayla.
Blood sprayed across the snow, stark and crimson. The world felt quiet, as if holding its breath. Every snowflake seemed to mourn her, delicate and cold against her skin.
And yet inside her, a flicker of fire refused to die. Stubborn against the darkness closing in. Her fingers twitched and a gasp brought her back.
She vomited a handful of blood before she looked around and saw the elders on the ground screaming in pain, Rain standing in front of them and her father laying down on the ground with bandages all over his body.
*****
Xior sat inside Alice’s office, she brought him tea and sat down in front of him. She was still in her sleepwear, a silk gown and a robe on top, as Xior had arrived too early.
She didn’t mind it though, and smiled, "you’re back already? It hasn’t even been a day since our last meeting." Alice said as a yawn escaped her mouth.
"There’s been an incident, Alice. That’s why." Xior replied.
"What happened? Are you alright?" She asked as the sleepiness went away in an instant.
"No, I’m fine but Chief Tharnak isn’t. Last night the Tigers infiltrated the Wolf Tribe and took Lady Fenra as a hostage.
Chief Tharnak fought them but was poisoned by a demon, definitely a helper from the higher floor being which is interfering in our plans." Xior explained.
Alice’s face shifted, anger, regret and finally hate exuded from her face. She knew Lady Fenra and was a good friend of hers.
"I guess a conflict is imminent. How dare they touch Fenra.
I’ll gather my troops and we’ll help the Wolf Tribe against these dishonorable curs." Alice declared as she got up and grabbed her spear and left Xior alone in her office.
Xior didn’t wait for her and went out, he told Alice’s subordinate that he will meet them again at the Wolf Tribe, he has to go and finish some other tasks.
*****
Kayla lay on a bed surrounded by doctors, humans as well as Wolves and Rabbits. All of them worked together to remove the knife from her chest.
Rain stood outside the room as he checked through the glass how it was going, Tharnak sat on a chair not far away from him. His wounds almost fully healed as he had started taking the bandages off.
"Rain, I don’t know how I will pay off this debt to you. Not only did you help me but you helped my daughter as well." Tharnak said and got up from the chair.
"No need for anything, I would help anyone in need. Your situation was not anything special so just sit down and let your wounds heal.
We don’t want them to open up while we fight against the Tiger Tribe." Rain replied as he put a hand on his shoulder prompting him to sit again.
But Tharnak didn’t budge, he stared down into Rain’s eyes. He lowered his big body and bowed in front of him.
For a Chief to bow down to someone was a great feat, only a select few have ever had a Chief bow down in front of them.
This showed how much the events of one night can change a persons standing. Rain didn’t try to stop him because he knew the Wolf Tribe is honorable and respectful.
Tharnak straightened himself and entered the room to check on Kayla while Rain walked out of the building.
Not far away, bound by chains were the elders. Blood dripped down their missing arms as Rain approached them with his sword in hand.