Page 40 of Taming the Kraken

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Mikah felt his insides squeeze, restricting his oxygen. He’d glanced back to see one of the dark creatures swinging its cleaver down at Alexa. Before he could react, though, the creature disintegrated. All of the dark soldiers combusted into nothing. He sighed with relief to see Ken holding Alexa. He couldn’t imagine ever feeling happier to see that damn Kraken. Well, that was his thought for a second, because a moment later, Ken vanished, taking Alexa with him.

Mikah sat down on the ground angrily as Brian sat next to him. They were both looking at Terra, who walked over and sat opposite of them.

“I know she’s with Ken, but I don’t like not having her in my sight,” Mikah growled as he lifted his gaze toward Terra.

“He’ll bring her back. She is safer with him than anyone.” Terra listened to the annoyed scoff from Mikah. They sat there quietly for a few moments, not knowing what to say to one another.

“Can you tell us what those creatures were?” Brian asked, changing the subject. He was fully healed from his injuries, but this was the first time he’d had to accelerate his healing like that.

“Those were wrathens. They are an undead demon.” Terra looked at the two men and gave them a small smile. “Don’t go thinking of them like they’re zombies. Zombies are from movies. Wrathens are not zombies. They’re not just mindless killing machines. They’re vicious and terrifying. They hunt in packs and elements cannot hurt them. They can actually use elemental power to rejuvenate themselves.” She nodded her head over at Mikah. “A guardian is a tough opponent for them. They have some of the toughest non-elemental magic around.”

“Where did these wrathens come from?” Brian asked while Mikah continued to growl in agitation.

“They’ve always been around, but not at these numbers. The demon war was the perfect environment for wrathens to come to life. Wrathens, shrieks, dranvors, faceless and other unpleasant creatures have all increased now. Demons usually have ways to come back in some other existence. They should really be the ones we joke about having nine lives.”

Terra leaned back on her hands and looked up at the sky. The early night sky was peppered with white sparkling diamonds. The soft glowing light of the moon peeked around some clouds. The creatures of the night were emerging, singing their chorus together in a peaceful melody.

“The wrathens … did they come into existence on their own?” Mikah asked, and Terra turned to him.

“No.” There was an icy tone in Terra’s voice. “This is the work of a very special type of necromancer. Necromancers come in various strengths. Some don’t have a long life force and some are puppets for others. It all depends how they’re created.” She frowned and let out a quiet sigh. “But this one is different. Whatever is raising these demons is strong enough to bring them back with incredible strength.” She stared at the two men as she inwardly debated about how much to say. With a defeated breath, she finally muttered what was on her mind, “I don’t have any proof. But I think this is the work of a nycrops.”

“No. That’s impossible.” Mikah growled, shaking his head.

“What is a nycrops?” Brian glanced from Mikah to Terra.

“A creature that doesn’t exist anymore,” Mikah said in a gruff voice.

“That isn’t true.” Terra watched as Mikah’s eyes flickered at her. “I know you probably don’t trust me since I am … what I am. But there are ways for a nycrops to still exist. Especially if the conditions were created to bring one into existence.”

“What the hell is a nycrops?” Brian breathed out with more bite in his tone.

“A nycrops is like a necromancer on steroids. They are a necromancer, an enchantress, a witch, a priestess. A creature that was so powerful all species feared them. A nycrops belongs to themselves. They don’t fit among any species but their own. But there has never been a good nycrops. They are dangerous creatures. They—” Terra tried to explain but Mikah cut her off.

“They were creatures that were eliminated from the world. The fairies and the demons purged their kind a long time ago. Why would someone bring them back into existence?” Mikah shook his head. He remembered the lessons he’d learned from Dylan, the guardian of the retired Queen of the Fairies, Alice. The nycrops were not only powerful, but their special skills made them most formidable. A creature like that couldn’t just show up again. Why would someone help bring a creature like that back?

“I don’t know for sure. I’ve heard the shadows whisper of its existence. Something powerful is at work here. And I don’t think it’s only demons.”

“Let’s hope your hunch is wrong. For everyone’s sake.” Mikah stared into her hazel eyes.

“I’ve never seen you this apprehensive about a creature. Is it really that worrisome?” Brian listened to the loud exhale from Mikah as he slowly nodded his head.

“Dylan told me that there is one case of a guardian falling from a nycrops. No one was around to know exactly what happened. But for a guardian to be killed … we don’t know exactly what methods were used to bring him down.” Mikah closed his eyes. “Of course, I would never let a nycrops get the best of me. If there is even one out there.”

“What about you, Terra? Are you afraid of this mythical creature?” Brian asked and watched as her lips parted.

“I don’t think I would stand a chance against one on my own,” Terra said in a quiet voice. It was different when they were asking for information. But this was now turning into a normal conversation, and she didn’t have many of those. Ken wasn’t exactly a conversationalist.

“How are you against wrathens?” Brian asked as he studied the young woman. He watched a smile finally reach her lips.

“I probably would have been doing better than you were.” Terra’s smile grew as she listened to Brian’s chuckle.

“No doubt about that. But next time, I’ll be better prepared. Now that I know what to expect.” Brian watched as two figures suddenly appeared in front of them.

“Alexa!” Mikah jumped to his feet and rushed over to her. He glared at Ken and pointed at him. “Next time, you have to complete the sign-out sheet and write down how long you expect to have her.”

Ken chuckled as he dropped his hand from Alexa's side. “That goes for you too. Next time you plan to take her out of the dragon kingdom, I want a note.”