PURE OF HEART Read online

  They continued past it and headed for a pitch-black gateway on the other side. Small paths twisted and branched off, crisscrossing to lead to small buildings on both sides. The stones crunched underfoot as they ran forward.

  Han suddenly howled a suffering cry as enormous taloned claws gripped his shoulders. A gigantic wing knocked Dean to the ground. He looked up to see Han in the clutches of a flying beast well over nine feet tall, with the body of a rat and leathery bat-like wings. As the creature flew above the path with Han struggling in its grip, Kala sped after it. With a mighty leap, Kala sprang into the air and grasped Han by his legs.

  “Release him, Daehtar,” Kala snarled as they rose higher.

  “Let go Kala! Leave me. Help Dean,” Han screamed as the creature rose with a powerful beating of its gargantuan wings.

  Dean rushed after them, but they disappeared over the roof of the building. He stopped and stared into the night where his friends had just been. Tears burned in his eyes and fire swept through his heart. He screamed at the sky as burning hate spread through his body. He looked toward the end of the walkway. The opening was a void, completely devoid of light. He knew that through that opening, he’d find the one responsible for all this pain—Volsur.

  Dean glared at the void and gritted his teeth. He stormed through the opening and plunged into complete darkness. Blinded, he stumbled forward, feeling with his feet as he rhythmically swung his sword ahead of him. The void slowly lightened. Soon he could make out massive pillars towering above him and rising out of sight. Distant walls appeared, and the spacious hall was bathed in a kind of twilight. At the end of the hall, he saw a golden flicker. Dean moved toward it, and the room filled with light. Torches burned all around.

  A golden armored figure stepped from the shadows.

  “Norouk?” Dean said in disbelief.

  ****

  Bravic and Oieda lowered their weapons as the Krulgs raced toward them. Bravic groaned and raised his shield, pain flaring through his body. Oieda ran the first Krulg through with her spear while Bravic’s axe crashed into the neck of another. They fought side by side: Oieda on the left, Bravic on the right. Spear and axe cut down the Krulgs who lashed at them, and the bodies fell at their feet. The Krulgs backed up to regroup, leaving half their number behind, dead on the stone floor. Bravic leaned heavily on his axe, never taking his eyes from the foe. Oieda’s spear was covered in thick, dark blood. The two moved back toward the double doors to get out of the slippery pool of blood.

  “They come again, Bravic.” Oieda had a worried frown as she looked at Bravic’s pain-gripped face.

  The Tearog had regrouped the Krulgs, and they rushed forward to attack. Six Krulgs surged in like a wave to sweep over the two who stood before them. Two launched themselves into the air, snarling as they sprang. Bravic raised his shield. His arm felt as if it was being torn from his body when the Krulg landed against the shield.

  Bravic flung the creature sideways into the wall, and his axe cleaved it in two.

  Oieda thrust at the other leaping Krulg, and her spear ran the creature through. The weight of the Krulg slamming into her drove Oieda back, and she fell to the blood-soaked floor. Bravic moved in front of her as the four others sprang forward. His axe crashed into one’s head and sent it screaming backward. Another grabbed his shield in its clawed hands and pulled. Pain seared through Bravic’s shoulder. As he tried to yank his shield free from its grasp, a large Krulg with a black sword sliced upward at his unprotected side. The Dwarf’s armor split, and the Krulg’s sword cut deeply into his flesh. Bravic stumbled backward; his axe tumbled from his hand.

  Oieda rolled the Krulg from atop her and saw Bravic drop to his knees. The Elf jumped to her feet. A sword ripped into Oieda’s thigh as she impaled another Krulg with her spear. Oieda tried to grab the wall for support, but her leg was unable to bear her weight.

  The two Krulgs raised their weapons. Oieda lunged with her spear. It drove into the Krulg’s chest. The other Krulg started to swing for Bravic’s head. Oieda’s hand snapped out, and her dagger sank to the hilt in the Krulg’s throat.

  Bravic slowly turned his head. His face was pale. “Nice throw.”

  She winked.

  The Tearog pulled the reins, and its beast reared up on its hind legs. The Tearog raised a massive ivory sword. The Ravinulk roared a guttural howl and surged forward.

  Oieda limped before Bravic. Blood splattered her armor. Her heart raced. She looked down at the leather band around her arm, and an image of her father’s kind face flashed in her mind. She gipped her spear tighter. She cast one quick look over her shoulder at the barred door. “We have to buy them time.”

  “We will.” Bravic picked up his axe.

  The Ravinulk’s claws clicked on the tile as it stopped before them.

  Oieda lunged on one leg, thrusting upward with her spear. The Tearog’s sword cut through the spear, snapping it in half. She drew her dagger. Pain washed over her, but she stood and slashed.

  The Tearog bashed her blow aside. Its bony, death-like hand grasped her throat.

  Bravic swung his mighty two-headed axe. The Ravinulk’s taloned feet knocked Bravic’s axe to the side. Its massive mouth closed on Bravic’s head, knocked him down, and pinned him to the floor.

  Oieda stared down at Bravic, his head partly visible in the mouth of the beast: one pointed tooth under his jaw and the top row of teeth clamped on his head. She turned her eyes back to the Tearog as its hand tightened on her throat. The deathly eyes stared into hers and flared malevolently.

  Bravic felt the blood run down his face. His hand fell to his side and landed on the broken shaft of Oieda’s spear. He gritted his teeth as he grabbed it. Pain shot through his head. The beast clamped down harder on his face and Bravic’s jaw made a snapping sound. The Dwarf’s hand firmly grasped the spear shaft. This was one fight he was determined he wouldn’t lose. He wouldn’t be defeated. With one final powerful thrust, he stabbed upward.

  The Ravinulk’s jaw opened and Bravic fell back to the floor. The Ravinulk fell onto its side and sent the Tearog and Oieda crashing onto the tile.

  Oieda scrambled over and picked up Bravic’s axe. Gripping it in both hands, she swung with all her strength and screamed a battle cry that filled the hall.

  The Tearog raised his sword.

  The axe shattered the blade and drove deep into the Tearog’s chest. The Tearog crumpled to the ground.

  Oieda sank to her knees. Her hands shook. She drew a ragged breath and looked down at Bravic, who lay unconscious on the floor. Pain ripped through her side when an arrow pierced her leather armor. The blow knocked her onto her back. Her vision blurred. She struggled to sit up but fell back down. The last thing she saw was another group of Krulgs streaming into the room.

  ****

  Kala’s grip tightened around Han’s legs as the Daehtar flew skyward. Han gritted his teeth while the Daehtar sank its talons tighter into his shoulders. Kala clung to the Elvana’s legs. Suddenly, the Daehtar began to dive. As it swept down, they could see a building loom into view. Kala groaned as his body slammed against the rooftop. Splinters flew, and the cracking of wood and bone pierced the air, mixing with Han’s scream. Kala thrust one hand upward and seized the creature by its waist. The beast dove again. Kala lifted his legs as they approached another building, but the Daehtar released its grip on Han and the Elvana fell.

  Han grasped Kala’s leg. His hands slid down until he only clung onto Kala’s right boot.

  The Daehtar changed direction and Han screamed as they spun wildly through the air. Again the Daehtar dove toward another building. Han slammed into the other roof. He screamed as pain seared through him and he began to lose his grip.

  Kala grabbed Han’s arm and pulled him up. Han scrambled onto Kala’s back and wrapped his arms around the Lion-Man’s thick neck.

  As the cold wind swirled around them, the city fell away. They rose once again. Higher and higher they went. Han saw the creature’s face twist into
a wicked grin when it looked down at Kala and realized what it planned. Han grabbed the creature and climbed up its back.

  The Daehtar hovered high above the city. Its huge wings beat the air, and it kicked Kala in the face. Kala’s head shot sideways, and his hands slid down the creature’s leg. Again and again, the beast’s talons ripped and struck the Leomane.

  Kala roared as his hands slipped and he fell.

  The Daehtar’s smile vanished as Han’s dagger pressed against its throat. “Get him or die,” Han screamed as he pressed down on the blade, drawing blood.

  The creature hesitated for a moment before it folded back its wings and dove. The city rushed up as they sped down toward Kala. Han tightened his grip on the creature’s hair and kept the pressure on the knife. He could barely see as the wind rushed against them. The rooftops rushed toward them. Han pressed harder on the knife.

  The beast’s talons flashed as it grabbed Kala.

  Kala screamed in pain.

  The Daehtara’s wings beat furiously, trying to stop its descent, but they still plummeted down. The creature shrieked and let go of Kala, but Kala didn’t let go of its legs. The beast tried to turn but started to spin. It was shrieking in terror now as the three plunged straight for a tall building.

  “Hang on!” was the last thing Han said before they smashed through a roof.

  ****

  “Norouk?” Dean asked again in disbelief.

  The golden armored figure moved forward; Dean saw it wasn’t Norouk. “Navarro? What’re you doing here?”

  “Don’t look so surprised, Dean. Volsur pays better.” Navarro walked forward. “I hope you’ve decided to give up that foolish quest. If not, I’m supposed to kill you right now.”

  Dean’s anger burned as he stared into Navarro’s eyes. “You sold out for what? That stupid-looking armor?”

  “For what?” Navarro laughed. “Look around. I was living like a rat. Cold, poor . . . a loser. Just like you. Now look at me.” He held his arms out. “You’ll find life with Volsur a lot more appealing.” Navarro gave a cocky smile.

  “Do you know what happened to the last guy who Volsur gave golden armor to?”

  “Norouk?”

  “Yeah. He betrayed his friends too. His reward was living for years in a valley with a bunch of twisted freak creatures until the guys he betrayed came back and ripped him into little pieces. What a bargain he made! I don’t know how you’re going to end up, but if you side with Volsur, it’s not going to end well.”

  Navarro drew his sword. “I won’t be like Norouk. Volsur needs me.”

  Now it was Dean’s turn to laugh. “Volsur needs you? For what? Your friends needed you. You betrayed them. Now you have nothing to give Volsur. He used you.”

  Navarro rushed at Dean and swung his sword for his head. Steel clashed against steel. Dean blocked and struck back; his anger finally burst and swept through his body like fire. His sword was a blur as he rained blow after blow down on Navarro.

  Navarro backed up, the smile on his face replaced by a panicked scowl. Navarro blocked again and again, but Dean’s strikes flew fast and hard. Dean swept Navarro’s sword aside. Navarro lunged in and grabbed Dean’s sword arm. Dean punched him in the face.

  Navarro fell backward and pulled Dean down on top of him. Dean ripped Navarro’s helmet off, and his fists pummeled Navarro. Dean roared as he swung. Blood splattered across Navarro’s golden armor, and Dean kept punching.

  “I surrender,” Navarro gasped.

  Dean hit him again.

  “I surrender,” Navarro said. “Mercy.”

  Dean’s fist stopped, prepared to strike again.

  “Mercy,” Navarro mumbled.

  Dean stood up. He wiped his bloody hands on his jeans. He walked over and picked up his sword. “You don’t deserve mercy.” Dean walked back to Navarro and pointed his sword at Navarro’s chest.

  Navarro held up a trembling hand. “Please?”

  Dean lowered his sword. Navarro’s hand fell to the floor, and he started to weep.

  A bitter cold crept over Dean’s skin. The hair on his neck rose, and he tightened the grip on his sword. From somewhere in the darkness, Dean heard footsteps.

  “Nice, very nice,” a voice called from the shadows at the end of the hall.

  Dean spun around. A man dressed in white and green pants and shirt, with an emerald colored cape across his broad shoulders strode forward. His blond hair fell down to his shoulders, brushed back from his handsome, tanned face.

  “Very nice, Dean,” the man repeated in a rich voice.

  There was something very familiar about the man, but Dean couldn’t place it until he got closer. Dean gasped when he saw the man’s steel gray eyes. They looked just like Panadur’s. “Volsur?” Dean stammered as he raised his sword.

  “Please. Don’t be so quick to kill me.” Volsur smiled, turned his hands outward, and opened them to show they were empty. “Letting Navarro live was very kind. But didn’t my brother tell you? In this world, kind gets you killed.”

  “Your brother told me a lot. He told me you’re the reason this world is so evil.”

  “Me?” Volsur laughed. It was the kind of laugh heard on a warm day, making other people smile. “This world was evil long before me. You met Lorious. How kind was he? My brothers and I traveled all over our world, fighting to make it better, until I realized we were wrong. I was just like you. I showed kindness, and it got me nothing.”

  “Panadur seemed pretty happy.”

  “He’s a fool. The three of us could have taken over this world with less killing, but instead of helping me, they turned against me.”

  “Shocker.” Dean’s mouth twisted into a smirk. “The good guys wanted to stop the crazy bad guy. They didn’t kill you, though. They showed you mercy. Seems if they’d killed you, this world would have been better off.”

  “Exactly.” Volsur’s teeth gleamed bright white as he smiled. “If they’d been strong enough to kill me, they would have gotten what they wanted. But they’re weak, like you. You let Navarro live. He’ll come back someday and repay your kindness with a dagger in your back. It’s not too late. Kill him, and I’ll let you take his place as one of my men.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll kick your butt, too, and let you take his place on the floor.” Dean walked forward. “I’ll never be one of your men.”

  “You’re just like my men,” Volsur replied calmly.

  “What are you talking about?” Dean stopped and sneered.

  “Pure of heart?” Volsur chuckled. “Please. Pure of heart.” He laughed. “The little shoplifter? You’re a common thief. You’re a cheater and a liar.” Volsur’s laughter echoed down the hall. “Pure of heart—you’re just like my men.”

  “Those things didn’t happen here. They happened in my world.” Dean shook his head.

  “It doesn’t matter, Dean,” Volsur scoffed. “You’re the same as me. You really believed my foolish brother, didn’t you? Pure of heart! Did you really think you were going to kill me? You and your misfit band? A deserting Dwarf, a helpless Elvana, a female Elf, and a beast? How do you think you got in here? Did you think you could just walk into my castle?” Volsur gloated. “You’re a fool. I brought you here. The whole way. Ever since you crashed through little Han’s roof and smashed his bed, I’ve watched over you. I wanted you to come here.”

  “You didn’t bring me here. I came to stop you.” Dean raised his sword.

  “Stop me? I brought you here to join me. It’s one big family reunion.” Volsur lifted his left hand. He pointed to the corner of the room where torches now flared. Carimus hung suspended in a black sphere. “Have you formally met your uncle?”

  “How . . .?” Dean stammered as he stared at Carimus.

  Carimus’s eyes were filled with despair, and his blue robes and silver hair were dirty and worn. His aged face seemed to age more as he gazed at Dean.

  Volsur shrugged. “What I want, I get. I just walked in and took him. Our friend Navarro her
e wanted to help, so I brought him along, for you.”

  Dean’s mind raced. His heart was ready to burst in his chest. He wanted to cry. He wanted to die.

  “It’s over. I’ve won. You’ve been a loser your whole life. Don’t be one now. Join me. I can give you everything. Money, power, anything. Look at Carimus.” He pointed. “Why does he not say anything? Because he knows I’m right. Look in your heart, Dean. You think about others and not yourself. Where has that gotten you? Nowhere. You had no place to go, so my brother took you in like a stray dog. Was he any different, Dean? He used you. He knew why you were running away. He knew why, but did he say or do anything to help? He could have. He’s a wizard. Wasn’t love a wonderful thing?” Volsur laughed. “You failed then, and you’ve failed now.”

  Dean lowered his sword.

  “But you didn’t fail because of you; it was because of others,” Volsur continued. “Because you thought about them and not yourself. When you thought about yourself, you had power. Telling the truth brought you pain. Lying, stealing: that’s when you gained. Do you really think my world is any different from yours? Panadur? Was he any different? Your life is a fantasy. He cares nothing for you. He used you.” The Dark Lord’s laughter echoed through the room. “But you don’t need him. You need no one. Make them need you. Make them fear you. When you control them, they can never hurt you. Be a ruler, not a fool,” he whispered.

  Dean’s tears seemed to freeze in his eyes and ice them over. As his heart grew cold, he turned to Volsur. Dean’s hand tightened on his sword. “No. Panadur loved me.”

  “Does he? Then why did he send a boy to fight me? A boy to fight the most powerful wizard in the realm? You said it yourself. It’s a suicide mission. He sent you to die. That’s love? So tell me, why did he send you?”

  Dean’s mouth opened and closed.

  “I’m sorry but I didn’t hear you.” Volsur mockingly leaned toward Dean. “Do you not know? Why don’t we ask him?” Volsur raised his right hand.

  Dean gasped.