Serfin ran as fast as he could towards the lake, yet he still needed more time than he anticipated. He was also angry that his search for his bow and some arrows had taken some considerable amount of time. But to go without weapon wouldn’t have been wise either. The bow itself had been a present from Amaris, who had shown him how to use it. While she was quite a good shot although she preferred swords, he turned out to be quite the talent.

  ?You've got a talent you shouldn’t waste,“ she had told him while giving him her bow. ?I've still some other weapons I can play with.”

  Now it was his most cherished possession and more than useful to take care of anyone foolish enough to stand in his or his friend’s way. Therefore, it was also quite fitting to take care of Amaris’ murderer with her bow. Revenge from the grave…, Serfin mused as he strapped the bow across his shoulders to go faster.

  To go even faster he went on all fours. If other Menkar would've seen him, they would've thought of him as a degenerate closer to the Ferals and all other beasts than a real Menkar. Serfin didn’t care about how he looked to possible witnesses. It was their problem if they felt scandalised by his actions. All Serfin cared about was to make it in time. For if Respin died he would never forgive himself. And so, he pressed on faster and faster until he reached the edge of the lake.

  —

  Respin had imagined a trip to the beach to be something more enjoyable than laying bleeding in the coarse, wet sand. The adrenalin that had taken him this far had vanished as his face hit the ground. Still, he tried to lift himself up, but his body felt sudden too weak to move.

  If I’m going to die here, then I want at least to see the stars and the moon in the sky, he thought and turned on his back.

  Meanwhile, his cold fingers brushed one of the knives he had dropped. Everything seemed so futile, yet he grabbed it and didn’t let go of the handle. I never noticed how nice they feel…, he mused as he closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable.

  Respin opened his eyes again as a sharp pain blossomed on his right wrist. Amaris’ murderer was standing above him and had placed his foot in a way on Respins wrist that he could push the thumb claw on his foot into Respin’s skin. The other claws also dug into his skin and drew blood while the force behind the grip nearly crushed his bones. The tall Menkar grinned wide and played with the giant pair of bloody scissors in his hands.

  ?You’re quite entertaining, Morphling,“ he said, his voice much to smooth and nice for someone like him. ?But even the best entertainment becomes dull over time. Won’t you say so?“

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  ?My back…,“ Respin groaned almost unconscious again because of the pain of the burning cut in his back and his slow breaking bones in his wrist.

  ?Now you’ve grown dull,“ the murderer said, and his grin vanished.

  With an almost careless move, he broke Respin’s wrist with his foot before he sat down on Respin’s belly. Respin, who had not much fight left in him, let out a whimper as the pain spread from his wrist and his throbbing back over his whole body. Visibly relishing the pain, the murderer inflicted on Respin, he trailed his hand over Respin’s face and leaned down.

  ?I’ll start with your gills,“ he whispered. ?This will keep you awake.“

  A heartbeat later the murderer raised and placed the cold scissor blades against and partly underneath Respin’s gill covers. Thinking that his end has finally arrived, he closed his eyes. The weight on his chest shifted. Respin took in a shuddering breath, awaiting more pain. Pain, which didn’t come. Instead, something warm dripped onto his face. Confused Respin opened his eyes.

  A crude make-shift arrow stuck in the murderer’s arm. Light-grey blood ran down along it while the scissors were laying in the sand. The murderer didn’t seem to catch up on what had happened as he stared for a few heartbeats bewildered at his arm. Then another arrow hissed through the air and hit the tall Menkar right into his upper chest as he looked up. The recoil was strong enough to send him down from Respin, who didn’t know what was happening.

  Suddenly, the frame of Serfin appeared in his field of vision. Forcing himself to sit up Respin starred in horror at his new friend. The expression on Serfin’s face was one that would even make the monstrous creatures home in the deepest parts of the ocean and the void run away in fear. To add things up the whole air around him seemed to be charged with electricity.

  ?What the fuck you think you're doing?!“, the murderer shouted at Serfin while clutching the arrow in his chest.

  ?I could ask you the same, asshole,“ he growled and pulled another arrow at the string.

  He moved over the murderer and held the arrow pointed to his head. But before he could shoot him, Respin forced himself on his legs and pushed him slightly away.

  ?Please… Don’t kill him,“ he pleaded, not wanting more people to die.

  ?Stay back!“, Serfin growled while the surrounding air became even more charged with agonising suspense. ?Do you really think this fucker is going to thank you for this?! Once no one pays attention he’ll go after you and kill you on the spot and many others will follow!“

  ?I won’t!“, the murderer responded raising his uninjured arm as a peace offering. ?I promise! I won’t hurt this little freak anymore.“

  ?HAVE I ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK?!“, Serfin roared, which caused the murderer to jump although he was even taller and bulkier than Serfin.

  Respin had to fight against fainting from pain and blood loss. And not to forget the anger and fear originating from Serfin poisoning the air.

  ?You fucking mudswimmer,“ the murderer replied laughing dryly ?Who the fuck are you?“

  ?That’s none of your fucking business!“, Serfin replied and pulled the string of his bow all the way back.

  Respin wanted to say something, but he wasn’t strong enough to even let the tiniest sound come over his lips. A second later the arrow hit the murderer directly between the eyes. Like a sack of potatoes, he fell over and didn't get back up. Respin dropped a second later on the ground next to Serfin. Frightened Serfin said or shouted something, but Respin couldn’t understand the words before he blacked out.

  The Main Units

  In the past, there had been a myriad of different units. A bloated and outdated system, which I, Marconite Avarion, have overhauled and reduced during the Rejuvenation. Now there are three main specifications a soldier can choose upon recruitment: the Bladedancer, the Crossshot, and the Gunblazer.

  Common to all are the various titles given to individuals in order to describe their abilities. The lowest titles is Novice, which will be given to all those who start their training. Once the training has been completed all those who received passable grades are granted the title of Apprentice. To be eligible for the title of Master, the individual in question has to prove their abilities in various tests. Should they fail even one test, they can retry all tests after about twenty Solar Circles have passed. The title of Grand Master will only be given to individuals of exceptional ability and prowess by the Steward of the corresponding Branch.

  Bladedancer

  Bladedancers are the main close combat unit. They form the first lines of attack and defence. As many enemies of the Cetusian Empire have tools capable to disable sensitivity machinery and weapons, Bladedancer are usually equipped with, as their name suggests, bladed weapons made from the lightest yet sturdiest and sharpest material available.

  To qualify for the role of a Bladedancer, the recruit has to show their prowess in the handling of bladed weapons. Allowed weaponry are: swords of any wieldable length, knives, sickles, and other comparable weapons. An exception are secondary energy weapons, which have to take the shape of one of the previous mentioned arsenal. High-frequency swords are also allowed but only for Masters and Grand Masters and only as second weapon besides one of the usual bladed weapons mentioned earlier.

  Crossshot

  Crossshots are the primary ranged-combat unit and always paired with a Bladedancer on single missions. Just like their close combat counterpart considering swords, they have to use basic ranged weapons like bows, crossbows and sling-shots. As they have to protect their Bladedancer companions from all danger, Bondmateships are not only recommended but encourage. Any and all altercations between such pairs have to be immediately reported and counselled.

  To qualify for the role of a Crossshot, the recruit has to show their prowess in the handling of bow and arrow or sling-shots. Allowed weaponry are: bows of all shapes and sizes, crossbows, harpoons, sling-shots, and other comparable weapons.

  Gunblazer

  Gunblazers are the secondary ranged-combat unit. They are to wield ordinary guns of all caliber and size as primary weapon and energy-based guns as secondary. In combat their role is to look for stragglers and to herd enemies towards the Crossshot-Bladedancer units. Gunblazers also have to perform reconnaissance in hostile environments as well as general guard duties.

  To qualify for the role of a Gunblazer, the recruit has to be either a Crossshot or a Bladedancer. This role is meant mainly for those unable to form the required Bondmateships for their respective original role, but as long as a recruit has the necessary requirements they can retrain for the role of Gunblazer. Allowed weaponry are: all available guns as long as the recruit can handle them.

  The Advanced Imperial Fleet under Empress Aldebaraun. The Leviathan.