The streets were quiet too quiet. If his senses told him anything it was that it wasn’t a good sign. Paladin Wood hadn’t been in the field for a long time. Practical skills still felt rusty but his training had focused on intelligence gathering. Old dogs normally can’t learn new tricks, he didn’t need any new ones for this.

  After his last meeting with that necromancer, and its behemoth, he’d need to grow stronger. In the case for Paladins there was only one sure fire way that was quick enough to satisfy him. Devouring wandering souls.

  A controversial topic within the order. Some saw the practice as tainting their bodies for power instead of using the mandated methods. Others saw it as the true way to grow, devouring strong opponents guaranteed power boosts. Why the pro-faction hadn’t declared victory was actually quite obvious. The method had side effects.

  If you devoured something powerful enough to give you a huge boost it would alter your soul. Commonly among the Pro-faction their already thin malformed souls would snap under the pressure of a new growth. Paladin Wood had seen it happen numerous times. Being of the moderates he only used souls that were below his level.

  Weaker souls were less potent and less of a risk. The information wasn’t widely spread as it was the best method to not be overwhelmed. Paladin Wood when converting parts of his soul had slowly created the pathways for the flesh cleanings. All that were needed was souls that had a strong affinity for it. This being the correct way to use the practice.

  He still remembered the smell of the blood in that small village. So many monsters all gathered in one place. The sounds of the mother slime pleading for her children's life was laughable. He rendered a service upon them clearing out such tainted DNA. It was a shame he’d missed out on that mother slime. Her core could have perfected his body, sending him to the upper ranks.

  That's where he belonged. Just as he had been amongst the Swords, he deserved command within the Wands. The forefront of power would mean more battles. Within those battles he could experience that thrill over and over again.

  “Paladin Wood there is activity sighted at a house on the East Side of town. It is unknown if it is the Necromancer. Please proceed there with haste.”

  Paladin Wood didn’t question the order and took off. It was odd that she’d given him the information. They had nearly cut off his resources outside of the secret base. Even going as far as trying to keep him there. Still a fight, battle, the sweet scent of death. His passions lay just on the other side of town.

  Main street was filled with stores and shops. Just about anything could be found there. Whereas the Westside held mansions like that of the Bakers. The eastside was where Kent came from, it was an odd juxtaposition of old and new buildings. Nate’s own home lay just inside the Westside, though not far off mainstreet.

  Paladin Wood quickly reached a construction site. The quietness of the day had carried over to this place. Further even an eerie feeling passed over his body. He could tell that something was here, something not of the mortal world. Blood began to surge in his body. It was only natural to get excited over a fight.

  Jumping down he boldly strode into the half finished home. A second floor landing was being held up by skinny pillars in the middle of the living room. It was clearly meant to be a more upscale home. The Eastside was slowly being taken over by these kinds of buildings. Old homes were bought up with land and destroyed. Making way for these newer abodes. Slowly the old residents would be pushed out of the Eastside.

  Stopping, he scanned the area for any sign of recent activity. He doubted the necromancer would go anywhere without his behemoth. A large number of foot prints scattering in all directions. It wasn’t something the Necromancer was known for other than during the Parades.

  “Squire Lillie. I have energy fluctuations but no visual contact. Any further instructions.”

  His body cooled as he lacked an enemy. Passion that had risen to the top now simmered, his mood nearly sour. If this was just a wild goose chase he’d be dead set on getting something out of it.

  “I am sorry sir.”

  “Well, I’ll only be a little upset since you…”

  His words were cut off as a large sledge hammer rocketed out from his right. The deadly left handed swing blasted him deeper into the building, he struck one of those flimsy beams along the way. It cracked in half letting the upper floor groan.

  “Truly I am sorry.”

  Squire Lillie's voice sounded once more over the com-link. His execution would be handled now, there was nothing left for her to do. The only real thing was how to kill the remaining Necromancers.

  ***

  The giant salt and pepper wolf strode forward. A relaxed gait as it closed the distance. It was odd to see as even with the eased movement he made ground quicker than any other. His body towered over Karah who felt it a bit unfair with her size.

  Nate watched closely as the two larger wolves still circled her. The last of the small wolves cowered away from the hunt. Fear had taken hold in its body, a fear it would not so easily shake. He readied the silver spell once more. At any moment he could strike at one of the wolves.

  Standing tall the old wolf peered down at the girl, baring its fangs wet with slobber. It was picturing how its meal would taste. The crunch of the bones and the vengeance of its family. Karah wouldn’t let it set the pace. Its size and speed were immense. She was something else altogether.

  Taking a running start she leaped out at the wolf. Seeing her incoming body it padded to the left with a light hop. She missed her target. Slamming into the gentle slope of the ground. Splittering wood from under the carpeting sprayed into the air. Whipping out with an iron tail the wolf slammed into her side. Arms pulled up her feet dragged against the carpet cutting more gouges into the land.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  The two larger wolves sensed they were unneeded, they turned their focus to Nate. Obviously the lesser threat made for an easy target. The two set off in his direction, he did not like where this was heading. His Teacher's words on the low number of spirits being a problem was going to ring true.

  Karah’s momentum stopped just in time for another tail strike to reach her. The Old wolf had seen how she fought and was taking precautions. Keeping her blindsided and on the back foot would only work for a time. Only she knew that no damage was coming her way. The Old wolf felt he was really doing something.

  The scales on her arms were still unharmed and her body was no slouch at that. The muscles which were hidden amongst her frills rippled with strength. As her body was launched once more she stopped quicker as she lowered herself to the ground. Digging her hands into the ground for added friction. Anticipating another strike she was ready for another tail the old wolf switched its method. Attempting to confuse her.

  A large paw struck out, each claw was half the size of her body. Lifting only a single arm she steadied her body. Ready for the blow. The old wolf had thought himself sly but he was outdone.

  *SCEECH*

  The claws slashed across the prepared arm. With less force than the tail her body didn’t budge, instead the focused claw attack slammed into her arm leaving indents in the sword like nails. What they all hadn’t noticed were Karah’s own sharp clawed fingers. The moment the swords passed she reached out digging her nails into the claws.

  Spider-webbing cracks ran through it as the old wolf howled in pain. It moved to jump away. It was already too late. Karah’s body moved along with her opponent. Carried along with its claw she refused to be tossed. Shifting her position she dug deep into its side. Its size was a problem for her. She couldn’t quite get a headlock to break the neck nor easily grapple a leg. So she chose a different tactic.

  He claws carved into the beast side, splitting it wide open. A searching hand grappled onto a rib bone. In its madness it slammed the side of its body down, a desperate attempt to release her hand. Panic was flooding its mind.

  Nate stood alone, his cane out stretched and at the ready. The two wolves were aware of his attack. It was faster than they could see so they watched his body closely. Their holding pattern kept him separated from Karah. Whom they assumed was a goner.

  As one passed in front another went behind. Just out of his sight it took its chance. Galloping at extreme speed, bloody maw opening wide. Nate utilized his innate ability for spirits telling their general direction. When it had switched from a circling motion he was already in a controlled forward roll.

  Amongst everything on this field he knew he was the slowest. That was the problem with things that were accustomed to high speed battles. Assuming everything else moved near the same speed. His slowed movement had the wolf overestimating his movement. It narrowly missed his body coming to a stop just ahead of him. It loomed next to him with a glimmering light. It would have been over if not for a glinting object that flew out from his body.

  The spell had long since been readied; it struck out, knocking the beast off its feet and back a small distance. This time the bleed effect did not activate, that soul was still recovering. This one appeared to be normal lacking the lethality of the other. The wolf was injured but wasn’t dead.

  Noticing its partner still alive, merely hurt, the other rushed forward. In this case its position had been just beyond the toppled wolf. For a moment Nate and it lost sight of one another. As it came over top ready to claim their first kill two lights flashed. They had assumed he could only cast one out at a time, this would cost it its life.

  One silvered dagger dug deep into an armpit, while the other was a killing blow. It gouged through the neck and out the other side. Nate was not unscathed as the body's momentum slammed him back into the ground. It took all he had to hold onto the cane. Several stitches split open as he ragdolled with the wolf.

  Just as Karah had grasped the rib-bone she felt Nate be injured. The ground closed in from behind her as the wolf tried to smush her. Anger coursed up within her body, Nate could feel it as if it were his own.

  *CRACK* *SNAP* *RIP* *SQUELCH*

  As she was engulfed by the large body she snapped the bone. Opening a hole within the beast she pushed inside along with the force of the ground. Driven into his body like a stake. Within she was freed from all resistance ripping through his body like a tornado. The panic and anger in her bubbled out, nearly searing something into her soul. It was just a step away as she tore free from the wolf head.

  Nate, now lay trapped under a wolf, the last injured one was still recovering. Danger approached him unseen, if not for his sixth sense telling him it was closing in he’d not have noticed. The pup had gathered its courage after seeing the state Nate was placed into. Its energized paws scraped the ground over his head.

  Its victory seemingly assured, a silvery barb shot out at the world. The first soul had reformed just in time. A sneer covered its face as it ducked right as it noticed that first sign of recognition in Nate’s eyes. It had baited the attack clearly the cast time was fast but it risked it for one final blow. Nate cursed his useless body and lacking magic. The fangs plunged down ready to clean cut Nate’s head.

  *WHOOSH*

  A beautiful blood red flower bust from the small wolf's head. An object had turned the beast into a unicorn. The large bone of the old wolf sunk back into its body. A mess of brain matter and blood splatter covered Nate who shifted to the side to not be smushed by its falling body.

  A minute passed as a blood soaked Karah stood over his head. Her body covered in gore. She smiled sweetly at him. Enjoying for a moment having him at her mercy. Bending down she came close to his ear.

  “I do like to see you unable to resist.”

  Leaning down she planted a kiss on his lips. It would have been relatively nice if not for them both being covered in ectoplasmic blood and guts. Parting from his lips she moved to remove the wolf pinning him down.

  “Just remember which one of us is bound to the other, would you? I nearly died.”

  “Sorry, I was scared there for a second.”

  She was oddly honest as her voice turned to a whisper. That fear and anger from before weren’t faked. Nate once more found their link strange. He couldn’t feel his father’s soul the same way he did hers. Even those mindless souls had an absence of being. Would this be how all of his contracts would be? Or was she just special?

  Freed from his bonds he spotted the last of the wolves. It had been put out of its misery by Karah. Breathing heavily he slumped his back against the wolf that had pinned him. Eyes staring into the bright lights above.

  “Need a breather?”

  “Yeah, I guess I’m really not your match anymore.”

  “Don’t say that, you're a grade one or whatever. Didn’t Teachy Weachy say I was around grade three. Once you're at my level I’m sure you’ll be amazing. If not, well I can solve that for you.”

  She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. All he could do was chuckle and roll his eyes. If that old wolf had attacked him first would he have even survived? He doubted it. Strength their reason for coming, he’d grasp it in both hands. Something more powerful lay beyond this place. He would make it his no matter what.

  “I’ll think about it. If you continue to do as well as this.”