68 – Further Acts of Violence
Andy’s aim was perfect. He’d accounted for movement, spotted a gap in the monstrous man’s torn, armored coat, and his timing was as good as it could have been. Even so, the werewolf—Andy gave up trying to think of it as anything else—landed on Omar, closing its jaws around his flailing arm, just as Andy’s spear hit home. Omar screamed, and the werewolf roared, its jaws flying wide in pain and fury as it scrabbled, dragging some claws across Omar’s back as it spun to face Andy.
Its movement pulled Andy’s spear free, but not before the corrosive magical smoke that coated the blade poured into the wound. Andy didn’t know if his spear, mundane as it was, would have even hurt the beast if not for that magical enchantment. It looked like the wound in its stomach from Omar’s earlier attack had already healed. Andy’s burning smoke seemed to be doing its job, though, spreading through the creature’s hairy flesh, burning as it went.
The werewolf’s posture was slumped, clearly unable to put weight on its right forelimb. Still, it looked as furious as it did hurt, and it lunged toward Andy, driving with its clawed hind legs. Andy backpedaled, thrusting his spear toward the monster’s gnashing jaws to keep it at bay. Meanwhile, an arrow sprouted from its chest. Andy spared a glance over his shoulder to see Lucy lowering her bow. She must have found an arrow.
More people closed in around the wounded monster. Most of them held spears, though he saw Jace, the cambion, holding a huge, spiked club as he stalked toward the werewolf’s rear flank. The werewolf seemed unbothered by the arrow Lucy had fired, and Andy began to fear his earlier assessment was correct. The thing had to be killed by magical means. A voice in the back of his mind that he’d been ignoring got a little louder. It was the part of him who remembered watching way too many bad TV shows and movies, whispering a reminder about needing silver to kill a werewolf.
“Silver or fire,” he growled, darting forward again and landing another quick stab on the werewolf’s shoulder. The caustic, burning smoke found purchase, snaking into the wound as he pulled the spear back, and the werewolf howled in pain, slashing its heavy claws at Andy’s spear. Andy was quick to take advantage, turning the haft so the creature’s hand—paw?—hit the blade’s edge. He grinned savagely as he opened another cut, sending more of his burning smoke into the wound.
Just then, Jace roared, spiked club held high in a two-handed grip, bringing it down on the werewolf’s hindquarters. Andy knew what was coming before it happened. The monster would whirl and swipe at Jace. It was the natural, instinctive thing for it to do. So, he bunched the muscles in his legs, bracing himself for the opportunity. When the monster rose on its haunches and spun to attack Jace, Andy saw the perfect opening.
He lunged, burying his spear to the haft in the soft flesh of the werewolf’s back, just beneath the ribs. This time, he drove forward with all his strength, pushing it off balance and driving it toward the edge of the cliff. Other people piled on, stabbing the thrashing, growling beast with more spears. Jace dove to the side, rolling in a somersault, while Andy and at least three others continued to push the monster toward the cliff’s edge. It fought them, impossibly strong, but Andy’s caustic smoke was spreading fast, pouring off his spear blade as he held it buried in the werewolf’s guts.
“Come on!” he screamed, pushing, and then he realized Bella was beside him, screaming too. With her and everyone else’s help, they got the monster to the edge and pushed it over. Andy held onto his spear as gravity took hold of the werewolf, and then it was gone, howling an ear-piercing cry as it fell. Andy stood on the edge, heaving for breath as he watched its fall end in a disturbing splatter of dark fluids against the hard, jumbled rocks below.
“Is it dead?” Bella asked, similarly breathless.
“Wait a sec,” Andy grunted, glancing over his shoulder as he became aware of Omar’s agonized grunts and gasps. He quickly looked back at the werewolf’s body, watching for movement. To his relief, the System took that opportunity to spam his field of view with messages, answer his question for him:
***Congratulations, Andy! During the defense of your settlement, you vanquished or helped to vanquish twenty-seven members of the opposing faction. For your efforts, you've gained five levels in your Umbral Reaper class and earned just as many improvement points.***
***Through repeated use, the powers of Umbral Reaper and Pyroglyph Invoker have begun to resonate. Their threads intertwine—not yet one, but no longer separate. Reflect on their shared rhythms and hidden harmonies, and you may glimpse the path to a higher form. A convergence stirs.***
***Well done, Andy! During the attack on your settlement, you played a critical role in halting the advance of three coordinated assault squads. You were the highest-performing member of your faction during the battle and have earned a rare System-generated award. It will be delivered when you’re resting in a safe location.***
***Congratulations, Andy, you completed a quest! You successfully eliminated Chavez, the Hardhead champion, a key member of the opposing faction's leadership. Your actions significantly reduced the effectiveness of the enemy force’s strategy. For your victory, you’ll receive an uncommon System-generated award that will be delivered when you reach a safe location and rest.***
***Congratulations on your quest completion, Andy! You helped to stop Brooks and his assault team before they could significantly impact the population of your settlement. For your efforts, you’ve earned an additional Improvement Point and a Boon Point for your settlement.***
***Congratulations! You’ve gained the notable skill: Short Blades.***
***Congratulations, Andy! You and your companions have killed an Elite enemy combatant and halted his terror-fueled rampage before it could begin. Everyone who had a hand in helping to kill the werewolf, Brooks, will receive a randomized award from the System when they’ve rested in a secure location.***
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“Jeez…” Andy shook his head, amused and irritated by the System’s sudden deluge. He pushed the messages to the side as soon as he read the last one, confirming Brooks was dead. Meanwhile, Omar screamed again, and Andy turned, hurrying toward the man. Frank Dunlap was already there, pressing his hands on the bleeding gashes where Omar had been clawed and bitten. Andy could see and feel the magic the War Medic was working. His hands glowed with soft amber light, and the air was filled with the surge of warm, comforting mana.
Even with Frank’s attentions, Omar was still thrashing, and his voice sounded harsh and guttural as he cried out. Frank looked up, his eyes searching for someone to confide in. When he saw Andy, he motioned for him to come closer. “I think it's some kind of infection, and my mending skill isn’t touching it!”
“Oh, Jesus!” Tucker cried, standing nearby. “He’s gonna turn into a werewolf!” Of course, his words ignited more panic as people either gave them more space or crowded close, weapons brandished.
Andy wasn’t a hundred percent sure that being a werewolf would necessarily make someone a bad guy, but so far, he only had a sample size of one, and Brooks had definitely been a bad guy. An idea hit him, and he reached into his pocket, retrieving the little vial the System had given him for killing the monstrous rattlesnake. “Try this!” He handed it to Frank.
Frank squinted at the bright pink fluid inside the vial. “What is it?”
“Some kind of healing tonic. It’s meant to remove poisons and maybe diseases, I think. It’s called Meridoc’s Cleansing Tonic.” Andy shrugged. “Worth a try.”
Frank nodded, pulled the stopper out, and held it to Omar’s lips. The man was feverish by then, sweating and trembling. Still, he parted his lips and swallowed as Frank poured the liquid. “That’s it, brother. Drink your medicine.”
Almost immediately, a golden aura shimmered into existence around Omar. He grew still, his breathing evened out as his eyes closed, and he seemed to fall into a deep sleep. When the golden aura faded, he looked peaceful. Frank looked at Andy, relief in his eyes. “That did it! My mending should take now. I’ll get him fixed up.”
“Whew,” Andy said, smiling as he stood. Dozens of park residents stood around clutching weapons, bloodied and sweaty. When they saw his smile, several asked if Omar was okay, and Andy nodded. “He’s good!” He turned toward the fires still blazing in the park. “If the attack’s over, we should get those fires out!”
Bella lifted her spear and screamed, “We kicked their asses!”
Andy chuckled as the crowd started cheering. He lifted his spear and pumped it a few times, his eyes searching the crowd for Lucy. He spotted her near the back, her bow in hand, and when she saw him looking, she nodded, smiling. “Come on!” he yelled, then he jogged toward the spring, hoping that other people were already working on the fires, hoping there would be some buckets. Then he remembered his waterskin, and he turned toward his trailer, sprinting as he shouted, “Be right back!”
He'd taken about five loping strides when a new message crowded his view:
***Congratulations, Sleepy Saguaro Trailer Park! The surviving members of the Hardhead Construction City Settlement have chosen a new leader and formally surrendered. As a result, your settlement has advanced to Level 2, unlocking new options at your System Node. Pending the outcome of your System-sponsored negotiations with the Hardhead Construction City leadership, additional advancement opportunities may become available.
Notice: Further acts of violence against the surrendering faction will not be rewarded by the System until the diplomatic process has concluded. Peace talks will commence at the day’s zenith.***
More cheers erupted around the park, and Andy couldn’t help but smile. It seemed that, minus their more violent instigators, the Hardheads didn’t have much of a stomach for war—not after the enormous losses he and his people had inflicted on them in the last couple of days. He had a lot to think about with all the System messages he’d just received, but at the moment, all he could focus on was the fire.
He grabbed his waterskin off the counter and turned, sprinting for the front of the park. It turned out that buckets of water and even magical waterskins weren’t enough to save the trailers that were already aflame. He and the others, and Bea with her Water Witch abilities, were able to prevent the fires from spreading, though.
In the end, when the red and orange streaks of sunrise were painting the eastern horizon, five trailers in the park had been reduced to smoldering wrecks. Thankfully, none of them held the food stockpile that Andy and the others had gathered from the ranch homes, but nine people had lost their homes. To some of them, the trailers were just temporary places to sleep, but for others, like Bernice, it was a keener loss.
Andy looked at her, watching how she put on a show of being strong as soot- and blood-stained people stood around her offering comforting words, but he could see the pain in her eyes. He tried to offer the only help he could think of. “Bernice, you can stay in my place. I’m cool on the couch.”
She smiled at him, shaking her head. “Pauline has room, thanks.”
Andy looked at Pauline, standing there, clutching Bernice’s hand, and the small, dark-haired woman nodded. “That’s right. I’ll take Bernice and her little ones.” She was talking about the two orphans Bernice had taken in.
Andy looked toward the western edge of the park where they’d brought all the children, keeping them hidden in one of the bigger double-wides. “Thank goodness they weren’t in there.”
“We need to think about expanding housing,” Eduardo said. Andy glanced at him, saw his singed clothes and soot-stained face, and smiled, stepping closer to rest a hand on the stout man’s shoulder.
“Yeah, I hear you, Ed. We’ll prioritize fixing things up around here now that the war might be over.” Andy hesitated for a moment, looking around at all the exhausted people who were suddenly quiet, listening raptly for his next words. “There’s also the matter of the underground.”
“The underground?” half a dozen people echoed.
“Yeah, there are tunnels in the mesa. We might be able to convert some of that space, but we need to explore and secure everything first.”
“And we’ve got too much to focus on already!” Violet added, raising her voice. “Let’s get the park cleaned up and make sure everyone’s accounted for. We’ve got burials to worry about and Andy needs to go and settle things with the Hardheads!”
Andy groaned, then he felt slender, warm fingers find their way into his hand. He looked down to see Lucy beside him, and he smiled, feeling absurdly excited by her show of affection. “I’ll go with you,” she said softly.
“Me too,” Bella volunteered.
“And me,” Jace growled, stepping forward. Andy knew why he was growling. He’d lost his father and brother-in-law in the battle. Andy felt bad about Paul, the patriarch, but in all honesty, he couldn’t even remember the younger man’s name.
He frowned, not sure he wanted hotheads like Jace or Bella coming along, but then he considered the fact that they might run into trouble. He slowly began to nod, then pointed to Bea Carter. “I’d like you to come, too, Bea. We’ll need a strong voice of reason to help with negotiations.”
The older woman smiled, reaching up to smooth her white hair back, adding the loose strands to the hair tie at the back of her head. “I’ll come along. First, though, seeing as we’ve got until noon, I’ll make sure nobody needs my help around here.”
Andy smiled, looking from her bright eyes to the many other faces looking his way. “Yep. I’d say we can all find something to keep us busy until then.”