When they were almost at the peak, a deafening screech pierced the air, and Ralph recoiled as his blood boiled at the very sound of it. The Sand Pirates hesitated, and Zarrik cursed in his native dialect, before looking back to Ralph.
“What the fuck was that?” The lieutenant's eyes were wide, and his expression showed fear for the first time.
Ralph recalled his first climb with the Scalpers and how a similar sound had drifted across the mountain. It had been duller then, barely a whisper. Even Alaxon, with all of his experience, hadn’t known the source of the sound. But it was far closer now, and more threatening.
Every foe they’d faced thus face had fallen before pirate blades. This would be no different. An extra supply of essence would only help them conquer Zagorath with more ease.
Ralph gripped the two swords, and they hissed free of the leather as he unsheathed them. The dark blates glittering in the failing light of the sunset.
“It sounded big,” he said to his men, not a hint of fear penetrating his voice. “Perfect for us.”
The pirates seemed to drink in Ralph’s confidence, and he wondered whether this might be the magic present inside the ring. They certainly obeyed his every command, and his emotions seemed to drift over them and penetrate their hearts.
Good. He would need men willing to die at his word. Kerril’s knowledge had taught him as much. Years of battle tactics and leadership skills filled his mind while the magical substance roared through his body.
“We’ll go where you lead, Chief,” Zarrik said, and the rest nodded in assent.
The screeches grew louder as they approached with weapons drawn. Ralph lifted a hand, and they all crouched behind a crop of boulders. As he lifted his head to peak over a rock, an enormous flying creature suddenly dove from above. Ralph only caught a glimpse of the thing—a long, slithering neck with feathers, a round gut covered in scales, and dragon-like wings—before he dived toward the wall of the mountain. The monster’s beak struck the ground, shattering the slate where he’d been a second before.
The Sand Pirates moved in a pincer-formation to try and trap the giant creature, but it lifted free of the ground before they could ensnare it. They let fly with crossbows, but the Orc Steel bolts didn’t penetrate the monster’s flesh or tear through its wings.
“Don’t waste your bolts,” Ralph said. “Save them for the dungeon.”
The monster dived again, targeting Ralph again. It must have known he was the leader, or it could sense the powerful equipment he was carrying. Either way, he wasn’t going to let the monster end his dungeon dive before it began. The left broadsword slashed down as the creature came within striking distance, and the blade cut through its eye. The monster recoiled and flew to the mountainside behind them. Blood oozed from its wound, and it swiveled its head to seek out more prey. A black chain was attached to its back, and it seemed to be buried on the mountain’s peak.
Who had placed it here? Was this the work of Zagorath?
“Draw it down,” Ralph said, dismissing the questions. “There’s no use trying to climb and get it. We need it on the ground.”
The monster sprung from its perch and attacked Zarrik this time. The lieutenant dived and rolled over the cracked slate to avoid certain death. Magical speed ignited in Ralph’s limbs, and he burst toward the monster. He leaped into the air and half-flew toward his intended destination. The creature didn’t see him coming, and the twin swords sank into his neck. Black and red burst from its throat, and the monster thrashed. Ralph tried to hold onto his swords, but his fingers loosened and he tumbled from the creature’s back. He struck the hard ground, and as the dying creature continued to scream and flail, he rolled to his feet. His boots struggled to grip the loose scrabble as the threat of being flung off the cliff in the monster’s death throes became an almost certain reality. The monster crashed into him, and his right foot slid over the cliff. His left came after, and it was only a quick flash of his hands that saved him from falling off. The rock bit into his fingers as he clamped onto the cliff’s edge.
“Chief!” Zarrik yelled, and then came a furious clamor of weapons striking flesh.
Ralph scrambled over the cliff as Razen leapt from a boulder, bringing his hammer whirling down. With a blast of Infernal Essence, the winged monster was hurled from the mountain’s edge, Ralph spinning away at the last second.
The enormous black chain trailed behind it and then suddenly snapped. It cracked like a whip and recoiled after the monster. Ralph watched in horror as the metal links wrapped around Zarrik’s legs and dragged him toward the cliff.
“Help me!” the pirate screamed, but the rest of the crew were too far away, and he was traveling to his doom far too quickly.
Ralph sprang forward, the Infernal Essence blasting through his system and giving him the strength of Lilith’s spawn. He gripped the metal chain in both hands and planted his feet against a boulder.
“You don’t die here,” Ralph growled through gritted teeth. “Come on, climb!”
The weight of both pirate and monster was almost too much to bare, but then the rest of the cohort lined up behind Ralph and tugged on the end of the chain. Soon, Zarrik was back onto the cliff, but the monster’s link to its chain had been severed. Only a hunk of flesh remained at the end of the chain now.
“You have my thanks, Chief,” Zarrik said.
“You live!” Razen said as he clapped Ralph on the back. “You are like a man of prophecy, one who cannot die.”
Ralph grinned. “It’s a pity about—”
“The swords?” Razen asked as he nodded at both weapons lying
