Chapter Four

Chapter Four

The Badlands

I

Tiko saw the first plume of dirt before the crack exploded in the sky. He was nearly asleep, his eye lids fluttering closed when the bubble broke inches from his face. He rolled over and leapt to his feet just as the crack sounded.

“Nyhm!” He leapt over the fire and yanked Nyhm up. The small dirt mound he had been resting his head on exploded.

That was the beginning of the barrage. The ground began exploding around them as the thick heavy bullets slammed into the dirt. Tiko felt a bullet wiz past his arm, tearing into the flesh as it past. He spun around and stumbled. He saw one of the horses rear up onto its legs and fall over backwards as a bullet tore into its neck.

Nyhm jumped in front of him and held up his hands. A bright white barrier appeared around them. The bullets bounced off and fell to the ground. Nyhm’s eyes were tightly clenched and a thin stream of blood was running out of his nose.

“Stay down!” Nyhm screamed. He clenched his fists and the white shield around them brightened. The white light slimmed and surrounded Nyhm as he began to rise into the air. In one movement, he brought his fists together above his head and flew into the air. The bullets whizzed past and dinged off his shield as he rocketed towards the origin of the onslaught. His head was throbbing with the exertion but he soared faster and faster towards the tower ahead. With a scream, he crashed through the windows and into the top floor.

Tiko jumped up and ran to his horse. It was terrified, but unharmed. He leapt onto the saddle and kicked it into motion. He saw the bright light of Nyhm flying across the sky and then abruptly vanish.

“Hya!” Tiko shouted and kicked the horse. He rode across the hard dirt as fast as his horse would take him. It looked as if he’d be in the Badlands at night after all.

II

The chains were heavier than he expected. He could feel the steal cutting into his wrists. His chances were dwindling. His strength waning. If he was going to make it out alive he’d have to make his move soon.

But he was weak. He had barely eaten anything of substance in weeks. It would take everything he had to make it.

He was shrouded in a heavy wool blanket and the heat was stifling. He felt the rocking motion of the old wagon they were moving him in. The soft clop clop of the horse hooves agains the dirt…wait…the sound had changed.

They were crossing a bridge. This was his chance. He looked above him and saw the chains attacked to a hook. He spun himself around and pressed his feet against the wood. He grabbed the chains and pulled. The hook popped out of the wood easily and he was free. Well almost. The chains were still clasped and wrapped around him. He shakily stood up and shook off the blanket. He had expected searing daylight to burn his eyes but the sky was black. It was night. He looked over his shoulder and saw Valantine sitting at the reins. He had his red velvet suit on and a top hat tilted slightly to the side.

He was whistling.

Damian stepped forward ready to brain him with the chains when he felt something wrap around his throat.

“Naughty, naughty.” Starr said and yanked back on her whip.

Damian flew back off his feet and hit the wagon hard. Starr rode up along side the wagon and uncurled her whip from Damian’s neck.

“The fight out of you already ba…” Her words were cut off when Damian swung one of his chains at her. It slammed into her face and sent her sprawling to the ground.

Valantine finally turned and looked at him. Damian could see the road ahead through him.

Of course. Valantine wouldn’t be troubled to do anything himself. And then Damian saw exactly why that was. A large group of hooded creatures were riding towards him. More of Valantine’s seemingly inexhaustible demon army. He looked towards Starr and saw her climbing onto her horse. Her face a streaming mess of blood. She cast him one last look and rode away. Most likely to wherever Valantine was waiting.

“Great…” Damian muttered. He could try and fight a squad of demons while swathed in chains or he could jump. He had to decide fast. He was running out of bridge. He glanced over the side of the bridge and without a second thought, he jumped.

It felt like he had jumped off the side of a mountain and landed on another. The water was freezing and instantly Damian felt his breath forced from his lungs. The chains were dragging him down. He had no strength left. He couldn’t get free and his vision was dimming around him. He had nothing left.

Damian sunk deeper into the icy waters and at last the darkness claimed him.

III

Tiko felt a pang in his chest when he crossed the threshold from the desert to the Badlands. It was like entering another world.

It was like home.

The buildings towered above him, nearly all the windows shattered. Glass was scattered across the cracked concrete. Tiko watched the faded broken yellow lines pass by as his horse raced towards the center of the city. He passed abandoned cars and a single baby carriage that was leaning listlessly against a useless light pole.

There was no more light here. There were no more people. This was a lost city, a remnant from a world that no longer existed. It was a relic. A nightmare land that the locals feared with every fiber of their being about which they told stories to frighten their children into behaving. Tiko had heard one such story. The story of the Nightmen. Those that wandered the destroyed city in the darkness and devoured anything they came across. Tiko looked gratefully towards the horizon and saw the briefest hint of light breaking through. If the Nightmen existed, with luck they’d have gone to wherever they go during the daylight.

Tiko tightened his hands into fists around the reins. He relaxed and clenched again. He was running out of time. He could feel it now.

He kicked his horse and together they sped forward towards the center of the ruined city. He could not shake the feeling that someone was watching him.

The center of the city was a towering skyscraper that stretched higher than Tiko could see in the dark. It sat in the center of a square of streets surrounded by brown grass and dead trees. The dry grass crunched beneath the hooves of Tiko’s horse. It sounded more like dead leaves than grass. Tiko climbed off his horse and tied the reins to a tree. He patted the horses neck once and walked towards the stone steps leading to the glass entry way. He needn’t have opened the door as the glass was all broken away. Tiko stepped into the building. The floor was black marble and covered in shattered glass. He looked above and saw he could see up into darkness. There was no ceiling that he could see, just a single staircase that climbed upwards in a square shape. The building was empty beyond that. It reminded Tiko of Cecil’s old building. It was eerily similar. The outer building was just a façade to hide the secrets Cecil had inside. It was just a big empty tower with stairs leading to Cecil’s apartment.

Could it be..?

Tiko darted for the stairs and took them two at a time. They seemed endless. Tiko glanced over the railing and saw he could no longer see the floor. Still he climbed. Through the windows he noticed the sun peaking over the horizon. It was dawn. He continued to climb the stairs.

He did not notice the shapes moving outside in the evaporating darkness and any thought of supposed “Nightmen” had vanished from his mind when he reached the top of the stairs.

The ceiling had partially caved in. Tiko saw a single chair placed near the window. It was overturned and a large gun lay near it on the floor. Tiko walked to the gun and crouched next to it. He touched the barrel. It was still warm.

“Nyhm?” Tiko looked towards the rubble from the ceiling. He walked over and bent to pick up a large chunk of debris when he heard a voice above him.

"Up here.”

Tiko felt himself rising into the air. He found himself face to face with Nyhm. He had blood drying on his face. He lowered his hand and Tiko lowered to the rooftop. Nyhm reached behind his head and tightened the blindfold around his eyes.

“It was Krenin Volt.” Nyhm said, “I saw him. He vanished before my eyes.”

Tiko nodded, “Why are you up here?”

Nyhm gestured to something behind Nyhm. Tiko turned and saw a short man sitting cross legged near the edge of the roof. Tiko was sure the man wouldn’t clear his knees. He was hardly bigger than a small child. Tiko smirked at the thought of Damian’s reaction to such a man.

“Who are you?” Tiko asked.

“Tomas Gravely. I was servant to Lord Volt.”

Tiko twitched his arm and his hidden blade slid forth, “Really.”

“You have no need of that.” Tomas said softly, “I am not a threat to you. Quite the contrary in fact.”

Tiko looked back at Nyhm.

“He is trustworthy.”

Tiko twitched his arm again and the blade disappeared.

Tomas stood up and walked to Tiko. He held out his hand.

“I pledge my service and loyalty to you.”

Tiko, confused, shook his hand.

“I’m afraid you won’t have long to honor that pledge. I came back to rescue my father. That is my only purpose here.”

“There is much you don’t understand. Much you will learn.”

Nyhm leapt to his feet.

“There’s someone in the building.”

Tomas looked towards the horizon. The sun was in full dawning now. The darkness had melted away to a soft grey.

“We must flee at once.”

“And I take it you have a direction for us to go?”

Tomas pointed to the north, “Three days we must ride. But we must leave now. They’re waking.”

Nyhm dropped back into the building. Tomas leapt down after him. He was surprisingly nimble.

Tiko sighed and looked to the north. Three days ride. He clenched his fists and hoped he had that much time left.

“Could sure use a train right about now.” He mumbled and dropped back into the building.

As soon as he hit the floor the building began to shake.

“No…” Tomas moaned, “He knows I’ve betrayed him.”

The building lurched violently sending them stumbling.

They ran for the stairs.

“We won’t make it!” Tomas shouted.

“Nyhm, can you get us down?”

Nyhm looked down, “I’m not sure I am strong enough after before.”

Tiko grimaced, “We’ll have to run. Fast as you can. Get as far down as possible before it goes.”

The ground lurched again and the section of stairs before them crumbled away.

“We can start by jumping over this.” Tiko said.

“I’ll never make it!” Tomas looked incredulous. Tiko grabbed him and threw him over the gap. He hit the railing and rolled down several of the stairs.

Tiko backed up and ran forward. He leaped across the gap and landed on the next landing as Tomas stumbled to his feet. He looked like he was going to say something but thought better. He simply turned and darted down the stairs.

Nyhm leaped next and landed easily next to Tiko. They both rushed down the stairs.

The building lurched again and a loud cracking noise echoed from above them. Thankfully, none of the stairs crumbled. Instead, the top floor seemed to drop several feet.

“Nyhm…” Tiko looked at his friend.

“I know.”

They ran.

The floor above gave way with an unholy tearing sound. The entire building was going to come down after it and they would be crushed.

“We have to jump!” Tiko yelled.

“We’re not even halfway down!” Tomas yelled back.

Tiko grabbed Tomas and leapt over the railing. Nyhm followed.

Above them the top floor dropped with vicious speed crashing through the staircase.

Nyhm closed his eyes and summoned all the strength he could muster. His mind felt as if it were splitting. He reached out his right hand and slowed Tiko and Tomas’s fall dramatically. He pulled them closer with his mind and grabbed them both by the collar. Now he sped up their fall. The wreckage above was mere feet above them. The three of them flew towards the ground.

It took everything he had to move them fast enough. His nose started bleeding again. The floor below was inches away and Nyhm heard Tomas give a squeal when they abruptly changed directions and flew towards the doors. They crashed through the entry way and crashed hard down the stone steps. Behind them the top floor exploded as it hit the ground. The buildings walls collapsed on themselves and fell in large concrete slabs.

Tiko’s ears rang from the noise and he coughed as the dust and dirt filled his lungs.

“That…that was quite…” Tomas stopped talking as he looked out around him.

Nyhm was standing shakily. He fell to his knees and then dropped forward. His face bounced slightly on the ground.

“Nyhm!” Tiko rushed over and knelt next to him. Nyhm groaned slightly.

“Tomas, help me.”

But Tomas did not respond. He was staring ahead of him, his hands shaking slightly.

Tiko pulled Nyhm up to his feet and braced him with his shoulder. Nyhm could barely stand up.

“Tomas! Come he…” But Tiko had seen what Tomas was looking at.

There were hundreds of them. They looked like men but they had long gore covered claws. They were also skinless. They all looked like freshly skinned men. Streams of red blood coursed over the exposed muscles. One of them snarled and clicked its sharp rotted teeth.

“What are they?” Tiko whispered.

“Nightmen.” Tomas said.

Tiko looked at the sun now climbing its way into the sky.

“Of course. Nightmen.”

IV

Adia slammed her fist against the stone wall. It had no effect of course besides causing her significant pain. She had no idea how to get out of this prison. She was completely sealed inside this cavern. No amount of kicking or striking was helping. Still, she had to try something. She wouldn’t allow herself to simply sit and do nothing. She would waste away unless she found a way out. Surely, there would be some way to open the door.

Adia would not have to discover that however as the door way began to slowly raise. She stepped back away from the rising stone and unsheathed her sword. She saw a deep maroon robe covering a slim female shape. The door raised and revealed the dark crimson hair.

“At last you’re awake.” Alexia said. She removed her robe, revealing a tight fighting shirt and pants. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail.

“You did this to me. You imprisoned me here!”

She nodded.

“This is a holy place, Adia. It is called The Chamber of the Old Dream. I put you here to see the truth you ignore. Your dream gave you what you most wanted but it also showed you how that dream would be shattered. You see now that no matter what course your life takes you are destined to fight. You are destined to use your anger and pain to save others.”

Adia squeezed the hilt of her sword. She was tired of the pain, tired of the anger. She didn’t need a witch to show her that her life was a series of tragedies. She didn’t need a witch to tell her what her destiny was. She always new that, she simply wanted to turn her back on it.

"You can strike me down now Adia or we can go save your son. The choice is yours.”

“My…son? Tiko?” Adia felt a pang in her chest, “He’s dead.”

“Not anymore.” Alexia turned and walked down the dark corridor, “Come with me if you wish to save him.”

Adia sheathed her sword and followed.

V

Tiko slashed at the attacking demon and spun away as a spurt of thick brown fluid burst from its neck. He crouched and sliced at the gut of another and then stood and plunged his blades into two other demons. They squealed in pain and ripped themselves away from him.

Tomas was holding his own as well. He was fighting with a surprising fierceness. He had several small blades hidden in his clothing and was using them to slice and dice the demons with expert efficiency. He certainly had secrets and Tiko was sure he didn’t know all that Tomas was capable. He watched as Tomas used the corpse of one demon as a spring board, leaping into the air and burying his blades into another demon’s eyes.

The demons kept coming. Tiko didn’t know how Damian could do it. Fight of horde after horde of monsters and still keep going. As it was, Tiko’s arms were already tiring and he didn’t think he’d be able to keep it up much longer. Tiko saw a group of the skinless beats moving towards Nyhm, who was lying nearby barely conscious. He wouldn’t make it in time and Tomas was busy with a group of his own.

Tiko sliced his way through the mass of beasts that were rushing towards him. He saw the demons leap onto Nyhm and moments later saw them all flying through the air.

Nyhm slowly rolled over and stood up. He was woozy still and shaky on his feet but he was up.

“Get down you idiot!” A female voice shouted.

Tiko ducked just as a steam of red shot above his head. A demon dropped dead behind him. Tiko looked at the woman who had just emerged from a tunnel in the ground. She had deep red hair and held some kind of wand in her hand. It’s tip glowed crimson.

Tiko’s eyes widened when he saw Adia emerge behind her.

He started to run towards her but she held up her hand and released her sword.

“Fight now,” She said, “reunion later.” And she started killing.

Tiko grinned and followed suit. Suddenly the pain in his arms seemed to have faded away.

They fought for what seemed like hours before the last of the demons ran away in fear. They had fought valiantly and survived minus some cuts and scratches. Tomas had a nasty bite on the side of his head but Alexia was working to heal it.

They stood among hundreds of corpses breathing heavily, their hearts pounding in their ears. Tiko made his away to Adia and they embraced.

“I don’t understand this.” Adia whispered.

“They sent me back to find Damian. Valantine has him.”

“Not anymore.” Alexia said.

“We have to get moving. They’ll be back with their friends.” Tomas said. He glanced at the devoured corpse of Tiko’s horse, “I can get us horses we’ll have to walk a few hours to the east.”

Tiko looked at Adia and smiled.

“Just like old times.” He said.

She said nothing. Her eyes were wet and she hugged him again.

“Let’s go.” Alexia said, “I’ll tell you about Damian on the way.”

Together they walked east. As they walked along the concrete through the city they could hear the sound of an approaching horse. They hid as the rider passed. Adia stepped from the shadows, her face contorted in rage.

“Starr.” She said and began to follow her.

Tiko grabbed her arm, “No. I will follow her and see what she is up to. Go with them and get the horses. Come back here for me and we’ll go together to find Damian.”

“I can take care of Starr.” Adia said.

“I have no doubt that you can. But you’re strength is better suited with them. Get the horses and come back for me.”

Adia looked past him and nodded.

“Be careful.” She said.

Tiko watched them walk away. He had had his mother back for such a short time and he was sending her away again. He squeezed his hands into fists.

“There will never be enough time.” He whispered and turned to follow Starr.

VI

Starr slid off her horse and walked towards the crumbled remains of the building.

“Damn.” She hissed and stepped inside the building. There wasn’t much room to move around inside considering the entire center of the building seemed to have collapsed. She looked up and noticed that the top half of the building had folded in on itself and was resting on the wreckage of the collapse. The rest of the walls would probably buckle and send the entire remaining structure into a heap. Starr cursed in disgust and was about to turn to storm out of the rubble when someone grabbed her from behind. She saw a hand in front of her face and then a blade slid out of the sleeve and pressed against her chin.

“What is your business with Krenin Volt?” Tiko asked.

“Take that pig sticker out of my face.”

Tiko jerked his arm and a thin line of blood appeared on Starr’s cheek.

“You aren’t in a bargaining position, Starr, and I’m not that interested in hearing what you have to say.”

Tiko moved around to stand in front of her. He was mildly satisfied when he saw her eyes widen slightly.

“Doesn’t anyone stay dead anymore?” She asked with a sneer.

“Yes.” Tiko reared back and slashed his knife at Starr. The blade ripped a gaping wound in her stomach. She winced and grabbed at the slice. Blood poured over her hands. Tiko stepped forward and jabbed the knife into her gut. He put his other hand against her cheek.

Starr felt weak. She couldn’t muster the strength to fight him off.

“You’ve caused so much misery,” Tiko said, “It’s time someone put you out of yours.”

Starr barely felt Tiko’s hand twitch but she did feel his other blade slipping into the soft flesh under her chin. For a moment there was only searing, blinding pain as the blade slit its way through her tongue. Her mouth filled with blood. It slowly spilled out over her lips. Then the blade broke through the roof of her mouth, ripped its way into her brain and the pain was gone. She had one last look at Tiko’s expressionless face and for a moment it seemed as if she could see right through him.

Then she was dead and Tiko let her lifeless corpse slide off his blades. He stepped over her body, pausing only to grab the whip tied at Starr’s waist. He did not look at her again as he walked to the edge of the city to wait for his mother to return.