Karah was chewing on the tip of her hot pink thumbnail. Time dripped away like molasses as they maneuvered the bed out of the room. She was tasked with their defense but they were moving so slowly. Just like the fragile bags of meat that they were. The only thing really keeping her in place was the kiss Nate had planted on her.

  Anyone else in the world she would have torn them in two for trying such a stunt. Reflexes enough to use her strength were nothing to scoff at, she could have stopped him. It went without saying that she would not do that. Finally, showing his feelings for her that's just what she had wanted, and now why she felt even more stressed.

  Teddy and Renee walked alongside her watching the others move the bed. The young boy did favor his brother in looks, which allowed Karah to let herself protect him. Mandy and the Necromancers were completely negotiable.

  “Nate will be fine, right?” Teddy asked.

  “Dear relax, in my eyes your brother appears more than capable. If you want to help him we need to get down to the Morgue so that the big sister here can go help him.” Renee said.

  “Big Sister? Ha, pretty cheeky kid.You think I’ll just take you under my wing cause you call me your sister?”

  “Of course not Big Sister. It’s just you were able to get my dear’s older brother, that practically makes us in-laws.”

  “Oh, yes, your dam…er correct. Naturally we are, hahaha.”

  “Can you not play into her ego? We have better things to do here you three.” Mandy said.

  Mandy was pulling at the front of the bed while Armand pushed the back. Dr.Mei was straddling her husband while moving the various spirits about his body. Pseudo-mancers weren’t entirely human nor monsters, they were closer to a land god. Land gods gained their lifeforce and power from the location they presided over. Killing a land god within their territory was near impossible. Pseudo-Mancers lacked many of the boosts that made this possible. While receiving complications in return.

  “You're the ones who said I couldn’t push at full speed. Pick a lane. You giant freak.”

  “I’m not even that tall?”

  “CHILDREN SHUT UP.” Armand shouted.

  Both of the women whipped angrily at him. He immediately regretted speaking up, the bed finally lurched forward passing by Allison’s room. She looked at them with a quizzical face as both Mandy and Karah laid into the man with insults. Stifling a laugh she watched on as they carried on down the hall.

  “What the heck was that?”

  They turned a corner toward where the elevators were located. Allison hadn’t noticed Dr.Mei or the prior explosion but she could see her friend Karah and the bickering people. She pushed the blankets off and her recent procedures had gone well. Meaning she was going to snoop.

  Stepping out into the hall she followed behind them. As she made it to the next ward a most curious form appeared before her. A cat with burnt fur in different locations and sad watery eyes. The pitiful thing gazed up at her with sorrowful eyes.

  “Meow”

  “Oh, poor kitty. Where did you come from? Don’t worry if anyone else caught you, you would be in trouble. I’ll take you to Doctor White, he’ll know what to do.”

  Plucked off the ground the girl and the cat headed after the fleeing group. Only one of them aware of the explosions and rumbling coming from outside and the floors below.

  ***

  Outside the Cornfield was churned over as the second of Wayne’s golems was finally delivered an irreparable wound. Both eye sensors cracked and broken rendered it blind along with the damage to each of the joints. The sewn together corpses still galavanted across the ground happily exclaiming all to human Neigh sounds from their mouths. Each time they did so every mouth moved as one.

  “So what is your goal false god? Do you think that whatever you’ve done will be enough to take out everyone inside?”

  A hail of spear heads rained down blocking out the sky. Most of the blows pinged off harmlessly from both the ScrapCrow and Propeller. Noticeably within the mix were stronger blows each of these phantom blows slowed the propeller.

  The enemy was no longer Zeus as he commanded from his temple. It was now rested upon a King, the king of Sparta. No man knew better than he how to hold the line and defend his brothers at arms. Leonidas stood firmly upon the steps.

  A bronze helm decorated with red plumage under one arm pressed firmly into the side of his armor. A trimmed dark brown beard decorated his olive skin. His expression remained impassive. There was no point to give his enemy any indication of his next move.

  A twirl of his hand raised the shield wall. The long claws of the ScrapCrows right hand racked at them. Each time it was repelled the sound of gears would hum retracting the Appendage. They were locked within a quasi-stalemate. Neither side was able to commit enough damage for a finishing blow, while each side’s defences slowly waned.

  “I must give you salutations. You have yet to fall under the heel of the king. I may have judged your ability too lowly before. What say you allow me to destroy your master? Would that not be more beneficial?”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Zeus delivered his words with another movement of his staff. The crackling lightning shot down in a singular point. Smashing a hole through the ScrapCrows left arm. He smiled happily at his handy work.

  “You dodged the question. If you tell me what you're after I shall think on the topic.”

  Wayne replied in kind. A barrage of spikes shot out of his cane. Each a specialized spirit that was used as a hammer. The temple shifted around allowing the blows to slam into the spiralling carved columns. Nothing either did was having much of an effect.

  Per Zeus' words he had been trained by the Grandmaster. If that was to be believed then their typing was far too similar. The teachings focused on a stationary Necromancer who allowed for his summons and magic to do the talking. Mobility was often an after thought for most but that was doubly for the two of them.

  “I am starting to see what the Grandmaster sees in you. Such stubbornness. Sadly your perception must have been lacking.”

  “Meaning?”

  “You are sacrificing much to stop me. Yet, I have not drawn out my trump card.”

  “Who’s to say that I have drawn mine out?”

  “It would be of little matter. For you are about to die.”

  The metallic spears that now lay scattered across the ground started to spark and arc with power. Zeus had not been mindlessly commanding Leonidas. The stalemate in a way was part of his plan to spread out conductive material. Now that it was laid out he activated it.

  Surges from all around Wayne shot his way. Since they lay within the turbine’s range it had no way of stopping the attacks. His face warped in fear and the flames shot up from where he stood. Bathed within the electric power he was surely dead.

  “Good my king. Now help the others find the Corpse Vault. Feeling the Apprentice die will draw out the Titan. We are still as of yet prepared for that conflict.”

  *CLAP*CLAP*CLAP*

  Slow clapping sounds came from high above. Standing atop of the roof of the building was Wayne. He let himself settle down into a sitting position, legs dangling over the edge. He brought his hands together over and over.

  “How did you move there? Teleportation is impossible within a grounded field.” Zeus demanded.

  “Only for a god like you. I am not bound by your pathetic limitations.”

  Wayne was now the most venerable he’d ever been. The turbine was not protecting him and so Leonidas called out his spear. Wreathed in flames he wielded it from where he stood taking aim and then launching it with a mighty throw. It whistled through the air shrieking across the sky.

  It sank deep within his chest pulling him off of the building. He plummeted to the ground slamming heavily. Body becoming close to the consistency of meat paste. What remained recognizable were the twisted broken bones.

  “See you have so little within your grasp. Where were you even aiming?”

  Wayne stepped out from behind the downed forestar as it once again rumbled to life. Leonidas cast a curious eye upon the now two mangled corpses that lay upon the ground. Looking back he questioned with a glance toward Zeus. It was not within the realm of a spirit such as he to know what magics were being deployed. His was only to kill or be killed.

  “What sort of Devilry are you conducting? Those are no mere illusions.”

  “And you aren’t here just to kill us. It is a pity but I don’t have the ability to kill you here. My master has always known this about me, what says you they are already on their way?”

  “You dare threaten me with only the prospect of the Grandmaster? Did you really believe that would work?”

  “It’s only a threat if it doesn't follow through. Forester attack forward.” Wayne Commanded.

  “As impressive as these tricks are, you shall find them all without substance. Leonidas uses the helots, destroy this man.”

  “My lord Zeus I need no call upon my brothers I am …”

  “Do as you are told. This man dares tinker with my plans! Kill him now.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  Leonidas called upon the spirits of the Helots. From deep within the ground they poured out. Hundreds into thousands. Forming ranks they followed the will of their king charging down upon the hospital. The ScrapCrow spun unleashing its doomed claw upon the land. As it stuck each of the spirits the god watched on calculating.

  All the while Leonidas' weakened body seemed to convulse under the strain of the thousands that he had brought upon the land. Tapping a finger against his lip the god contemplated the Land Spirit. A sudden thought hit him like a bag of bricks.

  “Is that the game he is playing? Leondias withdrew the spirits now. You are wasting your power.”

  “Yes, lord.”

  Leonidas took to one knee as he cut off the magic calling the spirits. Each vanished within a blink of an eye. Amongst the debris on the ground lay a host of new corpses each was of Wayne in various states of death. Zeus clicked his tongue at the display.

  “I had wondered why the corn went away so quickly. This ScrapCrow is a marvelous Illusionist. Shall I uncover your falsehoods now?”

  Reaching out into the air he drew out a simplified magic circle. Each line held in place by pulsing lightning. Once finished a white light flashed upon the whole of the grounds. Wayne was still standing with the turbine alive and well. The spear head nearly moved from within his protective shield.

  “How?”

  “Your becoming a false god has clouded your mind.”

  “Yet now I am clear. This spirit is little more than a fake. I must admit I am impressed by your forethought.”

  “Speaking nothing of it for the Grandmaster will hear none of it upon her arrival.”

  “A woman this time? Useful information.”

  The two were plunged once more into battle. Leonidas truly was weakened. Wayne had used the ScrapCrows illusion ability to shift them into another world. Nothing could kill them there but it would waste their time and energy. The two things that Wayne was lacking most aside from his most powerful golems.

  ***

  “I must apologize friends. It seems my apprentice is in trouble.”

  The Grandmaster was sitting at the dock outside of the Hermits cave. The small spirits wore disappointed faces at hearing her words. They had hoped to chat and celebrate for another week to come. She would not have stayed but it had been what they planned.

  After a longer than truly needed goodbye the Grandmaster began her return. Feeling him summon out her ScrapCrow meant he was caught unawares by a strong opponent. There was only one within the area that could be. If he’d hooked their prey early she would need to read the stars and end this blight upon the land.

  ?? Even gods need to be held sometimes

  What to Expect:

  - An epic, multi-book space opera with a large found family and multiple POVs.

  - A powerful but emotionally vulnerable protagonist with chaotic powers he struggles to control.

  - Strong, capable, and sometimes morally gray women.

  - High stakes, cosmic threats, and detailed world-building.

  What NOT to Expect:

  - LitRPG/System elements

  - Lone wolf power fantasy

  - A story that is only about romance

  This story contains mature themes, explicit sexual content, and graphic violence. It is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

  90+ Chapters in the first month

  500,000+ words already written and backlogged