Chain the Infamous Chainmaid 11

“Ugh! I get it! I’m not much better than the stupid dragon, but at least I’m not trying to eat you!”

Chain’s attempts to direct the horse in the direction of the steam truck that Highperch was driving at reckless speeds in the direction of the castle were not going well. While the horse was more than glad to be getting away from the dragon, the presence of the chainmail clad maid upon it’s back seemed to equally terrify it. The only reason Chain seemed able to keep any semblance of control was due to the descent of the clockwork humanoids who led their landings with cannon fire. The energy discharge of the cannons was equal parts destructive as it was amazing to look upon as a discharge of ashen smoke accompanied a powerful flare of light that devastated the city where it struck. Chain did not want to think about how many people who had come out to see the parade were being slaughtered indiscriminately by the Bright Rift attack and instead focused on using the attack to steer the unruly horse she rode. That did not mean that she did not have complaints however.

“Honestly, an airdrop of armed Sentinels right into the heart of a city. What is wrong with the people of Bright Rift? Not that I’m much better considering I was just warning that grinning idiot back there how I might just raze the whole of the Stormroots. Of course then everything went south real quick.”

Looking back south along where she had come Chain expected to see the Bandit King hot on her heels but was only awarded with the sight of more Sentinels dropping into the city from above. While the three meter tall clockwork humanoids blocked the path back they did not obscure Chain’s view of Thurlix who still stood upon the bridge where it had landed watching the sky with the Sentinels looking as raindrops to the dragon. Even the sight of the dragon was not enough to distract Chain from the sight of a sudden beam of fiery light that cut into the sky and was accompanied by the voice of the Builders.

♪~ With bowstrung cries he would have wept, a shout instead for all his pain ~♪
♪~ His wish still hung on shooting star ~♪
♪~ Under fiery bloom made in salute, his tears still found their way to Niol ~♪

“That verse…”

Chain recognized the basis for the verse that rose from the Builders’ Song as it had been used against the train that had first brought her into Highroot. It was obviously different now as the Rattama Hero who had used it was deceased but it still performed the same. The streak of fiery light tore through all in its path, a hole forming in anything it passed through moments before the light itself. As the streak of light reached into the storm clouds above it bloomed into a massive explosion that tore many an airship from the sky and careening to the ground below. It seemed likely that crashing airships would have brought untold devastation to Highroot but from the explosion countless more streaks of light rained down and vaporized nearly any metal that filled the sky below the storm clouds. A shrill whistle escaped Chain as she marveled at the sight with an apprehensive smile.

“Crap. That grinning idiot not only killed the Hero whose verse that was, but he arguably made it his own and improved upon it. Just what type of monster are you, you grinning idiot?”

As Chain was in hot pursuit of Highperch and King Stormflock VI she was far removed from the bridge where Roc the Bandit King had just fired from his hand cannon and was not likely to be privy to an answer to her question. That did not mean none would test Roc’s ability however as Finch landed astride her steel biped of some eight meter height unfazed by the Bandit King’s attack. Seeing the unharmed youth and the squirrel-like creature with flame tipped rabbit ears and mouse tail upon her shoulder the Bandit King donned his toothy smile.

“So not just an imitation but one in the company of a spirit too. And a fairly powerful one at that seeing as it has a physical manifestation. Even the Builders can’t pull that off and yet here I am bolstered only by their song and my wit. Seems a little unfair. Hm, hm, hm, hm, hmmm…”

“You place in the Builders’ Song ends today Bandit King, in its place my song will at last ring clear.”

Taking aim with their own gun Finch fired off a shot and Roc dodged it with a deft step to the side revealing that his tremendous size did not hamper his speed in the least.

“I’ll give you credit for your courage kid, but I may just be misreading foolishness. There aren’t too many who would stand before me with such confidence regardless though so be honored, for Roc the Bandit King acknowledges you Pretender.”

Even as he spoke the words the Bandit King could hear the off tune nature of the song about Finch coming into tune and his toothy grin grew ever larger.

“Honestly, if I’m going to get a title I’d rather be known as Finch Misthead the Strider.”

“A fine title child, but you’ll have to earn it first,”

“With your death I shall Bandit King!”

The next shot that was fired came from the matching gun of Finch’s biped, in truth a Sentinel crafted from the Builders’ Song itself. As he leapt out of the way of the destructive shot Roc soaked in the still out of tune verse which gave the Sentinel its form.

♪~ Once a toy for yet weaned girl ~♪
♪~ A comforter in times of tears ~♪
♪~ Now it stands her champion knight ~♪

“Yes that sounds nice. Still a little off though. So what do you say child, how about we make a true Hero out of you this day.”

“Those were my intentions Bandit King. Though if you’re willing to aid me in achieving my dream than if you could just kindly stand still and die.”

Taking aim at the still airborne Bandit King, Finch’s Sentinel fired off another shot of destructive blue light. The shot was easily stopped in an explosive collision with one fired from Roc’s gun as he momentarily lost his smile. With a more serious expression adorning his features the Bandit King hurled his giant spiked ball with tremendous force putting most firearms to shame. Finch’s Sentinel easily sidestepped the attack regardless but only for a moment as the shockwave that followed the spiked ball pulled the chain connecting it to Roc’s hand cannon in its wake. Roc himself was not pulled along however as the chain grew to such lengths that it was not pulled taught but rather swirled up into the air creating a tangle of chain that surrounded even the eight meter tall biped. Finch gritted her teeth as she prepared to phase into the Sentinel but a giant hand on her shoulder stopped her cold in her tracks. Looking up and behind her Finch found herself staring into the toothy grin of the Bandit King.

“That’s not what I meant at all kid. Here, how about I show you?”

Copyright © 2018 Joshua D Tarwater