OMG, THE STORY FINALLY HAS A NAME! Yes, it is official. For many reasons, this story is named Shadow Puppets. Thank you, middle of the night idea pwn. Why does this story do that to me?

Chapter Twenty-One

Seeing that attempting to assist in this battle was getting him nowhere, the blacksmith opted to leave in search of reinforcements instead. He was sure that Vexx could fend Kiri off, but that was a large part of the problem. He didn't want either of them dead.

Out in the village, peoples gazes turned skyward in horror. Swirling dark clouds were gathering, illuminated dimly by a deep purple light within. They had seen these clouds before, just before the sky ships of Dark Yabu had come to sweep them away. Giles turned his eyes skyward as well, cursing their ill fate. "Not again," he muttered as he pressed on down the hill. "Never again."

Shadow creatures were starting to filter into the village. The guards did their best to hold them back, but shadows are difficult to keep track of. Giles started to rally a group together to come with him to the sundial. Someone suddenly grasped his arm. It was Karik. The village leader was bleeding from a head wound, eyes wide with fear. "Kiri?" he asked, "Have you seen Kiri?"

Giles hesitated a moment before he replied with a grim, "Yes."

-o-o-o-

It was lucky that Vexx had seen the high spinning kick used on Giles, because it made him ready when Kiri attempted it again. He tried to get hold of her, but every time she managed to twist away from his grasp. Kiri spun and dodged gracefully, moving much in the manner that Master Larkin had. The thought occurred to Vexx that Kiri was keeping up with him and jumping about like an acrobat while wearing a corset and two layers of skirts. The warrior was all the more thankful for the chainmail armor's flexibility. There was still hope. Vexx saw that she was going to tire a lot faster than he was. She had already exceeded his expectations, but she was starting to lag behind.

"Hold still," Kiri told him in a strangely playful manner. "This will be a lot easier on all of us if you just cooperate." Vexx rolled his eyes after ducking another kick. He came back up quickly with a slash. Kiri gave a cry as she stumbled backward against the wall, barely catching herself in a stooped position. She lifted her gaze sharply, hair falling across her blood speckled face. Her brown eyes were suddenly pleading and terrified. "I'm sorry, I'm not--" her voice broke off with a choked noise as she held her wounded arm. Her eyes strained to move upward toward the ceiling.

She suddenly moved in for the attack again. Her predictable high kicks stopped. Instead, Vexx felt something hit his leg guard. She kicked it again and he stumbled backward. Kicking in the shins like a little spoiled child? Well, it was certainly more the attack he expected from the real Kiri, but it was undoubtedly an odd change from before. Her foot hooked behind his knee in his retreat and he toppled backward. "Look there!" Kiri shouted at him.

From laying flat on his back, Vexx found himself gazing up at the towering ceiling. A shadow stood in one of the windows, barely visible but there to see for those who were accustomed to looking for dark things. Kiri was still coming at him, and Vexx hooked his ankles about her waist to hold her steady for a moment. Whatever that was watching them, it looked rather suspicious. He decided to invite it down with an energy blast.

The figure side-stepped the attack, which met with the stone wall and shook the whole of the tower. Vexx was quick to come back to his feet. He pushed Kiri back and sent another blast. This time it hit its mark. The shadow tumbled from its perch. Vexx winced at the sickening thud sound when it hit the ground. Everything was silent in the chamber then. Kiri had even stopped her advance, sinking to her knees and sobbing lightly.

Lord Halcyon grunted. Vexx slid on guard, watching carefully as the cloaked man stood full. A bitter laugh echoed through the room. "That was uncalled for." He faced Vexx full on and asked in a mocking tone, "How's the hand?"

Vexx answered with a choice finger gesture that showed that his hand had been put back together, thanks.

"Next time I'll be sure the pieces I remove can't be melted back into place," Halcyon said, holding out his arm, hand hidden beneath the sleeve. Kiri suddenly jerked back up to her feet, still gripping her head in her hands. Vexx glanced between the two and understood better what was happening now. Halcyon smirked under his hood, "What's that look for? Maybe she's helping me because I'm better looking, you ever think of that?"

Vexx rolled his eyes. The back of an Astani War Talon met with the base of Kiri's skull. She swayed and slumped to the floor. Vexx gave the cloaked man a sidelong smirk, betting that his powers weren't very effective if she was out cold.

There was a pause before Halcyon sighed, "That was just rude, Vexx. I imagine she'll be rather angry when she wakes up."

Vexx hardly heard him. In the moment of silence, he could hear the sounds of battle outside. Vexx divided his attention between Halcyon and the door. The cloaked man gave another quiet laugh. "What? You want to go see what's going on? Go, then. Be my guest."

Vexx knelt beside Kiri, eyes carefully watching the man before him. Halcyon shook his head and held the bridge of his nose. "What, you don't trust me?" he said with an edge of sarcasm. "Fine." With that, Halcyon walked out the door into the open night. Cautiously, Vexx left the unconscious Kiri behind and followed. As he moved out into the dark, his breath caught in his lungs.

The night itself seemed to be moving. The fields were swarming with shadow creatures, howling and growling, biting and stinging. The Astaran guards were doing their best to hold the forces back, but the sheer numbers before them were absolutely daunting. Vexx felt a chill run through him as he beheld the scene that was unfolding. They would not be able to stand up to this for very much longer.

"Quite a mess," Halcyon commented, watching the reaction from the warrior with no small amount of pleasure. "It doesn't have to be this way, you know. All of this can end in a heartbeat. You can end this, Vexx. All you need do… is die."