I sat back down, my heart pounding. . . It had just been some type of fucked up joke, I guess. I didn’t know how much more of that I could handle. I also didn’t know just how far Freyja would go to punish me.

I didn't think that she would kill an innocent man to get even with me either, but I had been wrong before.

That reminds me. . .

Julius. . .

“Julius. . . Is he?” I began, speaking to Cassius.

“He is out collecting firewood. . . What do you need with him?” Cassius asked, tossing a piece of wood in the fire.

I looked around for him, but saw nothing.

“Does he seem. . . ?” I began, quietly.

“Do I seem what?” Julius asked, walking out of the trees with an armfull of wood.

I stood and walked over to him, looking him over carefully. He shied away from me, uncomfortably.

“What do you want, Ant?! Is this some type of stupid joke or something?” he asked, irritated.

“I'm just. . . Glad you are ok. . .” I answered hollowly, turning and walking over to the row of beds.

“Why wouldn’t I be? It’s not like you ever let me help you in battle!” He said spitefully, as he set the wood down by the fire.

“Believe me. . . You don't want anything to do with these battles, Julius.” I replied as I walked down the row.

A wild mass of blonde hair sticking out from under a blanket. .

Henrietta.

A massive lump under a pile of animal skins. .

Malakai.

Next was Peter, his head just clearly in view, although he was sleeping .

Finally on the end, Jacob, then Monte.

Everyone was still alive. . . A relief. But it raised a question. . . What happened to Juliette?

It was a question I needed to know, but fully admitting that I had no recollection of events would probably send up red flags. Not that the two humans before me would be able to tell when I was under the Influence of a God anyway. They didn’t tend to be sensitive to that type of thing.

“You should eat something Ant. It’s been 3 days. I got a us a deer yesterday and the meat has been grilled.” Cassius said, staring into the fire.

Looking out into the dark, I had an uneasy feeling. It didn’t seem like we should just be sitting here so casually. There were still more fights to be fought.

“I think we should pack camp. Move out in the morning.” I said, as I stuffed a piece of meat in my mouth.

“Ant. . . I don't know everything there is to know about slayers but. . . Before you woke up. . None of you guys moved in the last 3 days. You all have broken bones. It’s a miracle Malakai is even still breathing with the amount of blood he's lost. . . “ Cassius said, basically letting me know it wasn’t an option.

“Monte didn’t even seem to have more than some scratches on him, but he has been in some type of sleep as well. Short of an immediate threat, I think it would be wise to stay here and build our strength.”

“We are sitting ducks here!” I said, a little annoyed that he had a point.

“It’s been 3 days Ant. If anyone was going to seek vengeance, it would have happened already.” Julius added to the conversation.

“Where are we?” I asked, taking a drink from a bottle Cassius handed me.

“After we collected all of you from that destroyed city, we continued heading northeast. We rode for a day but had to stop. . . It still doesn’t feel far enough away from that monster of a woman.” Cassius replied, shivering.

Did that mean she survived?

Probably.

While we were some of the strongest slayer in the world, she was also one of the strongest giant warriors in the world. Her size didn’t hurt either but it couldn't be taken away from her that she had skills with a sword. To walk away alive from an encounter with us, was no small feat.

That being said. . . . We were still one short. And the retaliation that was no doubt waiting for us. . . Either by Juliette's sister’s or Zahra's gang. . .

We definitely couldn’t afford to sit around waiting for retribution to come to us.

“I'm leaving. .” I said, flatly as I began to pack my things.

“Are you out of your mind?” Julius demanded, moving to block me. “If Juliette isn’t dead, and she comes back. . . She'll flatten us all, without you!”

“If she appears. . . Wake the others. Malakai will fight to the last, no matter what .” I replied as I stuffed my bed into my leather pack.

“Malakai is in the worst condition! He left after the fight to finish her off and barely made it back! Julius found him unconscious and we had to use horses to drag him back into camp!” Cassius said, getting worked up.

“I know you want to be some loaner or something, but you are the one who gathered all of us here! 2 or 3 more days won’t lose the war!” Julius added.

“. . . I don't think you guys realize how urgent this is. Without help. . . We don't win the next fight. . . “

I continued to pack, and was done in a minute.

“I’ll be back in three days. I’m just going to ride to the next 2 cities and see if I can find our last guy. With him, we will be back at full strength. By the time we get back, the others should be rested and ready to go.” I finished, before unteathering Marcel and jumping on his back.

Both men just glared at me but said nothing. I didn’t stick around to bask in that feeling, kicking Marcel and bolting into the darkness.

When the sun came up, I finally got my bearings but it was still a full days ride to the inhabited city. I was now further east and further north than I had been in a long, long time. The reason was apparent, as the king's men were around in droves. I had to keep my hood up as I walked up to the cities massive gate, leading Marcel .

I looked up, up, up to the top of the wall. It had to be at least 300 feet tall and constructed from massive stone blocks. It was most impressive I had to admit. I had heard rumors of humans somehow forcing giants into slave labor roles, and here was my proof. It was the first time I had ever seen a city so fortified against giant attack.

“It's incredible isn’t it?” a guard said as I approached him in his wooden guards hut just outside the wall.

“Has a giant ever gotten through?” I asked, as I stopped in front of him. Not that I really cared.

“Never. But, truth be told, we have never faced an actual giant attack. We did have the slaves try to breach, but with the height of the wall, a long with the spikes and hot oil. . . The city was untouched.” He informed me proudly.

“Interesting” I replied, and went to walk passed him.

“Hold on, stranger!” he began, putting a hand on my shoulder.

Marcel let out an angry grunt from behind me.

“Easy boy!” I said, patting him on the head. “This man doesn’t want any trouble. . . Do you?” I asked, looking down into his eyes.

“I'm sorry to bother you, but this is a kingdom checkpoint. It means that we have to inspect everyone who comes in to see if they are fugitives from the crown.” The man told me as he grabbed a stack of wanted posters off of a desk inside the hut.

Shit.

The man began thumbing through them, occasionally glancing up at me. As expected, he stopped on a certain poster, looking back and forth a few times. I saw recognition in his eyes, and he was just about to ring a warning bell, when a wagon train emerged from over the hill.

The horses thundered down the road and the guard dropped what he was doing and ran to open the gate. This was the distraction I needed to get into the city.

I waited until the middle of the train, and jumped aboard a wagon. Likewise, Marcel fell in line and galloped at pace as we passed through the gate unnoticed. We followed it along until we were deep enough in, before splitting off from the group.

“What is with that wagon train?” I asked an older woman, who was sweeping the step outside her home.

“It's likely from down south. They have been rolling in every few days for the past few weeks.” She said, not looking up from her broom.

“Who are they?”

With this she stopped sweeping, propping her broom up against the wall. “Have you been living under a rock or something, child?” She demanded angrily.

I shrugged sheepishly.

“They are survivors of another rampage!” She shouted at me.

“Rampage?”

“Yes. . . They say a gang of giantess are going city to city, flattening everything and killing most everyone! Slaughtering the livestock, burning all the crops. Leaving anyone who does survive to starve.” A man who was brushing a horse chimed in.

I knew exactly who he was referring to, but I played the fool in order to gain more information.

“Does anyone know why they are doing it?” I asked, leaning on Marcel casually.

“Yeah! Because some cowardly slayer killed their leader in her sleep!” The woman spat.

“Did you ever notice how slayers are causing all of the problems around here lately?” another man across the street asked.

“I sort of hope that the three daughters wipe them all out!” The man with the horse commented.

I only laughed.

“You think that's funny? The king estimates that more than half of all slayers have been killed so far!” He exclaimed.

“Not funny, no. But do you really think that they will stop at just the slayers? With them gone, humans really wouldn’t put up much of a fight, would they?” I asked, turning to walk away.

The woman fumbled to respond, but I was out of earshot by the time she found her words. Arguing with villagers really wasn’t my thing, but I couldn’t help but take what they said to heart. Ever since the three daughters had shown up, everyone's life had pretty much gone to shit.

I had to wonder if maybe turning myself over to them could change anything. . . Although. . . I wasn’t sure I was prepared to make that type of sacrifice. I could only imagine the punishment that awaits me at this point at the hands of the giant realm. . .

Maybe I had it coming.

I pushed those thoughts out of my head as I moved deeper into the bowels of the city. As I walked down the street, I couldn’t help but notice that the wagon train from earlier had been parked next a camp full of tents.

As I walked by, I saw that every person looked filthy and gaunt. This must be the starvation that they were talking about.

“What the hell are you looking at, slayer?” a man demanded, breaking my trance.

I looked up, and saw a man with a grey goatee glaring at me from one of the bigger tents.

“I'm not a slayer. . You must have the wrong person.” I said, waving him off.

“Yeah right! I recognize you from Ellenworth! You are the slayer who killed Emelia!” He accused, pointing a finger at me.

“I think “thank you” might be the phrase you’re looking for.” I replied as I kept moving.

“Ha! Unfortunately that story doesn't end well for me!”

I paused and looked at him.

“After you left. . . . Another giantess appeared. That. . . Cruel bitch! She wiped Ellenworth off the map like it was nothing! And where were you, huh?!” He shouted at me, garnering attention from some other people in the camp.

“hmm.” Was all I said.

“Of course! Why would I think that you would give a shit about that? “ he asked, spitting in my direction.

“Look, I'm sorry that happened to you. . But I was only there on a mission.” I apologized, half heartedly.

“And that would have been understandable, except for what you did next!”

“Enlighten me. I've been busy lately!. . “ I replied, sarcastically.

This time his face turned beet red.

“After Ellenworth, you challenged a giant woman in another city. You lost, but in the ensuing events, incurred her wrath. She returned later and. . . And. . . Completely decimated the entire city. No survivors.” He explained, angrily.

“I walked into the massacre of my home town, after being held captive in that hell for years!” He screamed at me.

I was quiet for a moment before. . .

“hmm.”

This infuriated him, but I walked away as he erupted in a flurry of insults and curses. The truth was, coming face to face with the repercussions of my actions wasn’t something I was particularly fond of.

Behind me, Marcel began to drag on me.

“And just what's your problem?” I asked, turning to look at him.

He gave me a look I recognized as a guilt trip.

“Don't give me that look! I had no control over the actions of those women. I don't owe him or anyone else anything!” I said, getting in his face and looking him dead in the eyes.

Marcel responded with a massive headbutt that would have crumpled a normal human. I saw stars for a second, before firing back with an 1/8th strength headbutt of my own. Marcel let out a cry of pain and a snort as he began to get angry.

“I'm not going to fight you in the street. We don't have time for this!” I said, poking a finger into his forehead.

He responded by planting his ass on the street and refusing to move. I had to admit, it was a smart move. Marcel knew I possessed the strength to effortlessly lift him, but doing so would expose my identity.

Clever bastard.

“Fine! . . .You can just sit there like an asshole. I really don't care.” I said, shrugging as I turned to walk away.

What Marcel did next was slightly unexpected. As I walked away, he began to run amuck in the street, bucking and knocking over everything in his path. The villagers and people in the camp began to panic as Marcel wrecked the place. Two men got in front of him, trying to grab his reins, but he twisted and kicked them both in the chest with his hind legs. They flew back and crashed through a vendor cart on the opposite side of the street.

“Someone get that Damned horse under control” another man shouted.

I glanced over my shoulder as 7 men surrounded him. Some with rope, others with sticks and pitchforks. Knowing he could handle himself, I rounded the corner, leaving him there.

I thought that would be the end of it. Marcel would either get caught, and put in the stables where I would collect him later, or he would escape and run, where he would find me eventually. It’s how it always worked. . .

Not this time.

A block or two down the way, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to come face to face with 6 kingdom slayers, one of which had Marcel by his reins.

It was strange. . .

This group of kingdom slayers. . . Could this really be a squad?

My surprise came from the fact that 3 out of the 6 of these slayers were mere children! Or as much children as a young slayer could be.

That is to say that the first boy looked to be about 16 in human years. The next boy, who appeared to be his brother was slightly younger, and the girl appeared to be 12 or 13.

It reminded me of the dire situation that the slayer race was in. Outside of the capital, the slayers had been almost entirely wiped out. At the rate that the 3 daughters had been defeating us. . . It wasn’t out of reason to say that we as a whole probably wouldn’t make it to the end of the year.

A women, who looked like she was in her 40s, and appeared to be the leader, spoke to me.

“Excuse me. . . Is this by chance. . Your horse?” She asked, her voice possessing a certain authority about it?

I looked Marcel up and down before I answered.

“No. I have never seen this horse in my life. . “ I said flatly, before turning to walk away.

As one would expect, a second later I felt a firm hand on my shoulder and I was spun forcefully around to face them again. This immediately pissed me off and my hand was unconsciously on the handle of my sword now.

The man who had spun me, a solid built, 7 and a half footer, only had a smirk on his face as he sized me up.

“The thing is, everyone in that refugee camp said that he belonged to you, and that you were with him not 5 minutes ago.” The woman continued, outright calling my bullshit.

“And what would any of them know about me?” I asked, my voice turning serious now.

“Look. . Let's cut to the chase here.” She began. “We know you are Antony Lockwood and you are under arrest for failing to report to the capital under declaration of the king, and conspiracy to start war with the giant realm.”

This definitely wasn't good.

Not that I I couldn't beat this rag tag group of kingdom slayers, but slayers fighting were often just as destructive as a giant was. For a fight to break out here and now would be catastrophic.

“Don't you people have more pressing matters to attend to? Say the fact that all the citizens of the kingdom are being wiped out, city by city?” I asked, looking them all over.

“That's true. . .but it isn't every day you get the chance to catch the man responsible for that happening, is it?” the 3rd man, matching my stature, replied.

“Do you really think you are properly equipped to apprehend the most dangerous man in the world?” I asked, gesturing to the group.

The taller man let out a genuine laugh at this.

“Most wanted and most dangerous are two completely different things.” He chuckled.

A twang of emotion went through me, and I tightened my grip on my sword.

“That's enough!” The woman snapped. “I think we can all agree that this is neither the time, nor the place for a fight. We stick to the mission. Where mister Lockwood fits into the plan, remains to be seen. “

“That's right boys, dogs stay on the leash!” I taunted, with a grin.

Now it was their turn to get upset, and I could see in their eyes they wanted a piece of me.

“I suggest we just go our separate ways. . . You never saw me here and you go about your business.” I said, removing my hand from my sword and grabbing for Marcel’s reins.

“I'm afraid we can't do that. . . Even with everything going on, you are far too valuable to let go. Unfortunately, you’ll just have to accompany us on our quest.” The woman said, trying to sound sympathetic.

“I really don't think you want to go down this road with me. . . “ I warned, my hand again finding my sword, and pulling it slightly from the sheathe.

“I think we should just kill this guy! The bounty says dead or alive.” The shorter man said, just staring me down. “Think about it. . . We just bring his corpse to those gypsies. Maybe we won't even have to fight them!”

“. . . You guys are going to face Zahra's gypsies?” I asked, skeptical.

“We are going to KILL Zahra's gypsies.” The older boy said, confidently.

“Ha! Do you really think 3 kingdom slayers and a few infants are enough to go up against 10 plus giants?” I laughed.

“You shut your mouth, you war mongering piece of garbage!” came a voice I hadn't heard yet.

It was the little girl.

It was then that I actually stopped to get a good look at her.

She looked to be much less than 6 feet tall. Probably 5’6 or 5’7 Not impressive but definitely much bigger than a normal human girl of her equivalent age.

She had sandy blonde hair in a neat ponytail and her kingdom slayer’s uniform was perfectly white with not a wrinkle in it. It looked like she had never even been outside of the capital walls. Her face reminded me of a younger Henrietta. Thin eyebrows and lips. Her face sporting a scowl.

“You've got some fire in your gut, kid. I respect that.” I said, smirking at her. “But that isn’t enough to go face down that gang, and make it out alive.”

The girl's face immediately turned red and it took both of the boys to hold her back as she lunged to throttle me.

“No offense, but have you three ever even been in battle? Or even beyond the training grounds just outside the capital walls? I only ask because it appears that your uniforms have never been ground into the dirt, or kicked through a building!” I poked, knowing it would get her all riled up.

She didn’t disappoint.

“Do you want to find out exactly how I fight ?!” She shouted from behind the boys. A second later she drew her weapon. . .

Odd. .

I wasn't expecting that at all. My view of her had always been slightly obscured, but here was this little girl. . . Wielding a beautiful dual edged battle axe with a tree engraved on the head as her slayer’s weapon. .

While it wasn't unheard of for a slayer to be given a weapon other than a sword at birth, it was very very rare. It was said that those who were chosen, were capable of great things. Beyond what a normal slayer could accomplish .

And here was this kid. . . Axe that was only a head shorter than she was. I watched intently as the two boys struggled to hold her and a second later, she did break free. Unfortunately for her, her attack left a huge opening and as she swung down on me, I slipped behind her and had a knife on her throat in an instant.

She gasped, waiting for whatever I had planned.

Now all of her kingdom comrades drew their swords and faced off with me. We stared at each other for a moment, tension high, before I simply let her go and shoved her back over to her side of the confrontation.

“This is exactly what I mean! If this group goes down to face them. . . You'll all just end up dead.” I said, not even sugar coating it. “This may not be about standing our ground anymore. We might have to start figuring out how we are going to survive when everything is gone!”

All of them were silent as my words sunk in. I thought maybe I had gotten through to them, but it was all part of their plan. Focusing on them, I didn't notice their final member sneaking up behind me.

A moment later I was knocked unconscious.

Dirty trick.


I woke up sometime later from a huge jolt. I had to blink a few times before peeling my face off of the wooden floor of a covered kart. The first thing I noticed was my hands were bound. I looked down at my wrists to see that they had steel cuffs on them.

Instinctually I tried to pull them apart, but they didn't budge.

“You won't be able to get out of those. They're slayer steel.” Came a voice above me.

I struggled to sit up, and looked over to see the girl sitting on a bench on the side of the kart. Her face showed no emotion as she studied me on the floor.

“Are they really necessary?” I asked, sitting down on a bench on the other side of the kart.

“Do you really think that we would let the most wanted man in the world just be free during transport? We were told that you would try to escape the first chance you got and so you are cuffed.” She explained, calmly.

I didn’t respond, but surveyed my surroundings. I couldn’t see outside the roof of the kart, but I could hear what sounded like a lot of horses riding together. Far more than the 5 or 6 other slayers that I knew to make up this team.

“Where are you guys taking me?” I asked, casually looking around.

“It was decided that you will be delivered to Zahra's sisters to avoid the possible destruction of the last form of civilization in the southern half of the human realm, Cyblee.” The girl stated, in this annoying “kid trying to act like an adult” type of way that seemed to be her style.

“The last form of civilization?” I questioned?, confused.

“Yes! After you murdered their leader, they began to rampage city after city, killing most and starving the rest! They said they wouldn't stop until you were in their hands, but coincidently. . . No one could find you until yesterday when your horse happened to cause trouble in the city and we were asked to calm it.” She replied, calmly.

I couldn't hold back a laugh.

“And you truly believe that handing me over to them is going to stop them from destroying anything and everyone?” I asked, between laughs.

Her face turned red and she fidgeted slightly in her seat as she struggled against thoughts of killing me.

“There is no reason to believe they won't stop! They didn't go around blindly rampaging before you killed their leader. Believe it or not, unlike you. . . Some people actually follow through with the things they say!” She spat, defensively. “Besides, if we can stop anymore destruction, it's worth a try. If the life of one slayer is enough to do that, then you are still fulfilling your life's purpose!”

I sat quiet for a moment, just mulling over what she had said. I had to admit that she had a point. . But that fact admittedly passed me off.

“Child. . . You know nothing about me, or the things I’ve done!” I said, more angrily than I intended.

“We know more than you think. . . Lady Lockwood made sure we would be prepared if we ever came face to face with you.” The girl said ominously.

I was just about to reply, when the wagon came to a stop, along with all the other people outside. A second later, the head of the older woman poked through the canvas of the wagon.

“Bring him to the cities prison for the time being. Then report to the west courtyard.” She commanded, before pulling her head out before the girl could reply.

“You heard her. Get out!” She snapped at me.

Before I knew what was going on, she grabbed me by the back of my cloak and dragged me to the back of the wagon. Embarrassingly, she shoved me through the back flap, and dangled me there for a second before dropping me to my feet. I scowled at her as she followed me out of the wagon. The first thing that caught my eye is that she had my sword in her hand.

“Move.” was all she said.

She kept me in front of her as we walked through the streets. All around, men worked on fortifying the city. I looked to the top of the 150 foot walls, where men were carefully aiming giant crossbows out across the field between the wall and the forest. They were lined up end to end and they had 10 on each wall.

Scattered between them, were boiling caudrons of hot tar mounted so they could be quickly dumped over the edge if need be. Some areas had rows of spikes over the edge to stop a giant from being able to grab the wall.

Truthfully, if it has been humans they were going to face, this effort would have been more than enough. . . But the force they were preparing for now. . . Sure they may kill a few but. . . Inevitably once they pushed past the wall, it would be a slaughter as everyone would be trapped inside.

Speaking of everyone. . .

I realized as I looked around, that the city was made up entirely of men. There was not a woman to be found except for my young prison guard. And to say that most of the men looked starving and downtrodden would be an understatement.

I quickly gathered that this was a makeshift army of every capable man from the southern half of the map. Some were fighting to defend their homes. Some were fighting to avenge their losses. Either way , it was the first time in a long time that I had seen men put their difference aside for the common goal of just surviving.

We continued through the streets until we came to a building whose back wall was actually the south wall of the city. It was of fairly decent size and the sign read [prison].

I stopped at the front door, and was promptly met with a shove from behind that made me stumble inside. Inside looked like exactly like every other human prison I had had the pleasure of visiting. Prison bars. . . . Cells. . . . Vagabonds. . . Insects. . . Horrible smells.

And a prison guard.

A large. . . Man? I think. . . I'm not sure but if it was a woman. . . .

Either way, their boots were up on the desk, partially obscuring their face and they wore a large, circular hat that blocked the rest as their head was down. As we stood in silence I could hear a faint snoring.

Quality help.

“Hello?” The girl asked, sounding annoyed as she looked around the dump of a prison in disgust.

“huh. . . Hmm?” The man? said, startled awake.

“Yes. . . .My name is Lady Harken. I'm from the capital. I'm here to deliver this prisoner for holding, until further notice.” She said, trying her best to sound official.

“hmm. . “ He replied, motioning with his head towards the cells.

“Move.” “Lady Harken” commanded, pointing at the cells.

I trudged forward, passing mostly empty cells until I found the one that was both empty and had the fewest rats. I stepped inside, and closed the cell door on myself.

The girl just stared me down through the bars.

“You realize these bars won't hold me, don't you?” I asked, flatly.

“If I find out you escaped, and we have to hunt you down. . . I WILL kill you. I'm sure those gypsies would love to get their hands on you alive, but dead has to be worth something.” she stated coldly, before turning and walking away.

Just then I felt it. . .

I felt her.

The death goddess.

The most subtle burning in the back of my soul. Just enough to amplify my desire to kill. The same feeling that ultimately pushed me into assassinating Zahra and got me into my current situation. .

Only this time, I had no choice to resist.

I took a deep breath and prepared to let her take control, but again. . .

Just as I opened myself, her presence faded just as quickly as it had arrived.

This damned woman and her tests!

I fumed silently, as I sat back on a filthy bench against the wall.

“I need the key to those handcuffs. . .” The guard mumbled as Lady Harken walked by.

She stopped and glared at him.

“That prisoner is not to be released under absolutely any circumstance!” She hissed at him.

“It's prison protocol, little girl. . . I don't make the rules, I just follow them.” He said lazily, never even lifting his face or even opening his eyes. “I'm guessing it's safe to assume that you will kill me if anything goes wrong, so with that promise, you know you can trust me.”

Her eyes narrowed. . . .

A moment later, she produced the key and slapped it down on desk. “Remember. . . . It's his life, or yours!” She threatened, before walking away.

“What a little ball of sunshine she is!” The man two cells down from me said, when he was sure she was gone.

All of us shared a good laugh as we settled in “until further notice”.