Rise of the Giants: An Urban Fantasy Adventure (Heaven's Dark Soldiers Book 1) by Steve Gilmore

Author:Steve Gilmore [Gilmore, Steve]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sort4
Publisher: Liquid Mind Publishing
Published: 2021-08-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

“So, where exactly are we now?” I asked as we crossed the threshold of yet another random door in the Quartermaster.

Finding myself on the wood line of a thick forest of ancient trees, I stared apprehensively at a colossus arena of white, ornamental stone sitting squarely in the center of an infinite green field.

He grinned. “Where we are exactly, I’ve no idea. What I do know is that we’re somewhere on the far northern border of Badenoch.”

“Badenoch? So, we’re in heaven?”

“Third Heaven to be precise.”

Staring at the larger-than-life structure in the distance, I said, “And the Colosseum-looking joint over there? What the hell is that supposed to be?”

“That’s our primary training site, or pitch as they say in the Scottish. It’s actually a full-scale replica of the actual Colosseum as it looked in the second century, of course.”

“Of course,” I dryly replied, momentarily entranced by the sheer size and grandeur of the Roman architectural marvel.

“Big A calls it the Dreghorn. This is where he puts all the new guys through their paces. He’s waiting for you inside.”

“Great.”

“Cheer up. It’ll be fun. Skyphos is able to construct live battle simulations, so you can’t get anything closer to the real thing than the actual real thing.”

“Did you say simulations?”

“Yeah, man, but trust me, it’ll still hurt.” Slapping me on the shoulder, he then turned and headed back toward the doorway. “Good luck.”

“You’re not coming?”

“Nope. I have a project to finish in the armory. Been working on something for you. Something I think you may need in the very near future.” Passing through the portal, he called back, “Remember to duck.

“Wait, what?” I yelled as the door vanished in a brief flash of white light. Per my usual confused state, I turned again to face the Dreghorn and felt the cloak start to manifest around my shoulders just as a ginormous, airborne log struck me squarely in the chest with the force of a wrecking ball. Didn’t see that coming.

Taking me clear off my feet and launching me ten paces backwards into the trunk of a mighty tree, the projectile dematerialized as I slunk to the ground in a state of ineffable pain.

“Son of a bitch,” I grunted, spitting out a healthy wad of blood and cradling my aching ribs. “All right, big man. Game — fucking — on.”

Feeling the cloak ripple about my shoulders, a warm, almost electric sensation passed through my damaged body, instantly healing my injuries. Slowly pulling in a long, deliberate breath, I cleared my mind and focused my thoughts.

And I found the Balance — the perfect balance between wrath and clarity.

Flipping the mental switch, I felt the boundless power well up in the deep recess of my soul, and an assertive smile stretched across my face.

Willing the argent metal gauntlets into being, I felt them manifest with a spectral flash and pour seamlessly over my hands. Calling for the spatha, I felt the presence of the leather scabbard on my back as I reached back and grasped the stout handle.

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