The Bloodstone Rebellion by Thomas K. Carpenter

Author:Thomas K. Carpenter [Carpenter, Thomas K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Moon Books
Published: 2023-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

Kuma stepped to his right, swinging the dire mace overhead, only to shatter the designer lamp hanging from the ceiling. Thin shards of glass fell across his shoulders as he let the weapon relax at his side.

"This is pointless," said Kuma, knocking the pieces from his clothes. "We need to find an open cavern for this."

The tight confines of the suite, despite having moved the furniture into the master bedroom, did not provide much practice space. Choo-Choo rested the plastic angerblade on his shoulder. They'd made it from trays they'd stolen from the kitchen, cutting them to size and melting them together to form a facsimile of Noctus Prime's preferred weapon.

"There are too many eyes about, and you know I can't easily leave the Terreno."

"I know, Choo-Choo. I need to get my mind right about this. Otherwise I'll never have a chance at beating him."

His former rival smirked. "Let's talk through the strategy. Your muscles should remember how to swing a weapon."

Kuma wondered what Hylakane would have suggested as a strategy, but given his skill, he might not have even considered the match worth a single thought.

"Let's do it."

Choo-Choo held up the plastic weapon. It looked like an enormous cleaver with a short handle. The real version weighed around seventy pounds.

"Remember, under no circumstances can you allow yourself to be hit by his weapon. It cleaves through armor and will take your limbs off as easily as pruning a shrub. The key will be to wear him out, never letting him near until you can knock him down with your dire mace."

Kuma laughed. "You make it sound so simple. And when have you ever pruned a shrub?"

Choo-Choo grinned. "Despite his size, he's quick. Don't let him bait you into a counteract early in the fight. Especially not into his chain shield, which is perfectly suited for capturing your weapon. He has more reach too. Your best bet will be to keep him turning. He's fast front to back, but doesn't rotate well. If the terrain is uneven, then that strategy will be even better."

"What if it's a cage, or something I can't escape from?"

"Then you're fucked, Kuma. If you value your limbs, you'd probably want to tap out quickly."

A knock on the door startled Kuma. An attendant stood outside with a letter in his hand.

"This invite is for Aman Crownline."

"That's me," said Kuma, accepting the thick parchment and closing the door.

"A letter?"

"Invite," said Kuma, settling onto the arm of the couch against the wall. The front had his false name written in beautiful calligraphy. The card inside revealed a short message written on card stock with the hotel logo.

"He used the gift shop," said Kuma, chuckling. "I would have liked to have witnessed that purchase."

"Who?"

"Noctus," he said, handing it over to Choo-Choo.

"Please accept my invitation for a ceremony of haflwyer at Club Onyx at your immediate convenience." Choo-Choo looked up. "Haflwyer?"

"Brodarian tea ceremony. Haflwyer is a narcotic. They drink it before big battles. Sometimes generals meet halfway and drink together before returning to their separate sides," said Kuma.

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