Chapter Forty: ‘A treacherous clash...’
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Hector was not wearing his helm--or any metal for that matter. It was obvious enough that the dark-skinned man down there was the one Gina had warned him about. Wearing armor would only be to Karkash’s advantage.
It had certainly been a surprise to see the two men fighting. Hector had expected to find someone merely laying waste to the town for no other reason than enjoyment, but now, he wasn’t sure what to make of the situation. Garovel had wanted him to wait for an opening before intervening, but that idea had been sufficiently squashed as soon as he saw Karkash about to fry that restaurant full of people.
“Please help!” yelled Stoker.
Hector didn’t know who the man was, but he was surprised to hear such a plea. Was this guy really Abolish? Karkash certainly was, but maybe this other servant was Vanguard.
He didn’t have much time to think about it. He saw Karkash’s hand move toward Stoker, and Hector made another spire. Again, it caught the lightning and dispersed it.
The lightning itself was a mere flash--much too quick to react to. So instead, Garovel had advised him to watch Karkash’s hands. At the moment, Hector couldn’t imagine a more valuable piece of information.
Garovel had stayed close, floating just behind him. ‘Good. That man could be an ally.’
‘He could also be an enemy,’ said Hector.
‘That he could. Be very cautious.’
Abruptly, Karkash seized both of Hector’s spires and launched them at Stoker. Hector barely annihilated them in time.
‘As expected,’ said Garovel, ‘he can use your own metal against you.’
‘This fucking sucks...’
Karkash glared at Hector now, granting his full attention.
He half-expected Karkash to stop and say something, to tell him how irritating he was being or ask him why he was here, maybe. But the man did no such thing.
Lightning came for Hector and was diverted with a rooftop spire. And once the electricity subsided, he could see Karkash already flying toward him.
A dark serial novel. Set in a modern fantasy world called Eleg. Mature language. Updates every night at midnight PST by ~400 words.
I'm asking for votes at topwebfiction here again. For those of you who don't know, topwebfiction is a weekly voting poll for. You don't have to register or anything to vote. It's quite helpful in bringing in new readers.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I want to take a moment to plug a couple of my readers who have serials of their own.
Colleen Vanderlinden writes Hidden, which you can read here.
And I believe Alex writes The New Devil, which you can find here here.
There could be others who read TZK, but those are the only two I'm aware of. Check 'em out if you are so inclined. And as always, thanks for reading, everyone.
Thanks, George! Voted, also shared TZK on Twitter. I'll have to check out Alex's serial, too.
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine Karkash is pretty irritated by Hector at this point. Of course, Karkash could just be flying over to invite Hector to have a cup of tea or something. Yes, I'm sure that's it...
never seen a flesh of lightning before :P
ReplyDelete"was a mere flesh"
ReplyDeleteflesh -> flash
Fixed, thanks.
ReplyDeleteFleshes of lightning are notoriously elusive, you see.
ReplyDeleteHe just wants to take Hector on a delightful jaunt through the sky. Like the magic carpet ride in Aladdin.
ReplyDeleteTis but a flash wound.
ReplyDeleteI would think Hector could win this fight pretty much instantly. Since he can create iron at a distance, he could simply create a box or mask fitting tightly around Karkash's head--with no opening for K's neck. That would neatly decapitate him, while keeping his brain under control and re-creation impossible.
ReplyDeleteMultiple reasons why that wouldn't work. 1) Metal would not cease a servant's brain
ReplyDeletefunction. 2) Karkash's ability. 3) Hector can't create metal
inside someone's body (might seem like he can, but he can't, as will be explained)
Aha. I assumed that the lack of oxygenated blood would end brain function, same as in a regular human being, and that Karkash wouldn't be able to respond quickly enough to instantly materializing metal. The last reason, admittedly, I hadn't thought of. Thanks for the explanation.
ReplyDeleteDid not know you swung that way. An up and coming writer like yourself should have no problem landing a woman. If not, we can grab one of the other posters and put them in a wig for you.
ReplyDeleteOh, whoa, hey, dude, I had no idea this comment existed! RD mentioned in a comment on TND a few days ago that you were the one that you were the one who told him about it. I was surprised you knew about it, actually. And it appears you're the one who sent Colleen my way, too.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks, man. I really appreciate the shout-out!
You're not welcome. I demand a bloody tribute. Give me one of your kidneys. Or one of someone else's.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...I'm gonna have to go with someone else's. I don't care whose. You have my permission to devour anyone else's kidney.
ReplyDeleteI demand home delivery.
ReplyDeleteOkay, fine. Then will you at least post my bail? I'll pay you back for it.
ReplyDeleteOh, you won't get arrested. You'll be imprisoned in my basement long before the police can get to you.
ReplyDeleteOkay, in that case, let's start back at square one. Maybe I'll just sacrifice ten virgins in your honor and we'll call it good.
ReplyDeleteHell no. I know you're game. They're all going to be starfish or some shit, aren't they? I've been burned too many times by the old bait-and-switch-with-an-asexually-reproducing-organism maneuver.
ReplyDeleteListen, just because they reproduce asexually doesn't mean they're not virgins. It's still a valid sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how that works. Do starfish lose their virginities to themselves? Sounds like a question for the philosoraptor.
This comment thread is cracking me up. And every time I think you two are done, you keep going. lol
ReplyDeleteLook, I'll settle for a batch of double chocolate chip muffins.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about stopping, but now I don't want to.
ReplyDeleteI started laughing soon as I saw his post. Such a backfire!
ReplyDelete.....
ReplyDeleteI don't think you quite realize what you said here...
...or did you?
Fuck...Robin Williams T_T
ReplyDeleteI did indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteLive and Let Die! Round Two! Ready...FIGHT!!!
ReplyDelete*claps*
ReplyDeleteIt's dark in here. I need a fleshlight.
ReplyDelete