Eternal Foe
Chapter 9
She wasted precious little time. The troops were put on full alert and were ready to evacuate the dig site at a moment's notice. Watches were lined at the rim of the pit and the ships at the docks were heavily guarded. While others rejoiced Captain Teela and her warriors prepared for an attack.
Melaktha protested vigorously when she assigned a score of mercenaries to watch over him and the sword, though she would hear none of it. If here dreams proved correct then she knew the sword would be the Snake Men's desire. She had no reason to disbelieve the dreams; one did not have entire conversations in the dream-state then remember the entire dialogue upon waking.
The militaristic preparations of the soldiers soon put a damper on the work crew's enthusiasm and a tense restlessness befell the entire site. Night came quickly and without event and the cool night air calmed many and they made their way to their cots. With the exception of Teela's group.
Teela felt her eyelids droop as the night dulled too her senses. She refused to allow herself the luxury of sleep tonight; tomorrow everyone would make ready to return to the mainland and she felt that should they make it through the night then safe they would be.
Several more hours passed when a horn sounded from near the pit. It was the warning signal.
"Rouse everyone, we leave now!" She shouted to a solidly built veteran by the name of Gareth.
Soon voices could be heard everywhere, the warning yells of the guards and the panicked cries of the academic's and the labourers. Then, over the cacophony a new sound could be heard; the blood-curdling cries of men being eviscerated.
Teela ran towards the pit. When she arrived of those she had stationed there none remained; forty men overwhelmed in a matter of minutes! And there he stood - his green armour shining dully in the moonlight, tall and imperious and a look of pure rage etched into his face.
"My Queen." Mekasha declared looking at the woman he previously had only seen in visions.
"Not tonight you over-stuffed handbag." Teela retorted before fleeing to rejoin the rest of her force.
"After them, let none escape, let none live but for the queen!" Teela heard Mekasha scream into the darkness.
He must have had three dozen warriors from what little she could see; she had more than a hundred and fifty under her command. It seemed to her that would not be enough to quell the marauders, not if they could subdue forty at whim, nor would she waste an entire legion to bring down so few. No it made sense to evacuate everyone leaving the Snake Men stranded on Vaneda, then she could return at leisure with the Royal Elite to destroy the enemy.
She joined with the men she had left to care for Melaktha. "What in the Six Hells are you still doing here? You were supposed to evacuate him!" She demanded to know.
"Captain Teela, I insisted to your men that I must be allowed to stay and observe these creatures. Ancient races do not return to the world every day, we must know more about them." The Archaeologist explained.
Teela's face turned purple. "Are you insane, you mouldy, old goat?" she screamed. "This is not a bloody history lesson, it is an emergency and this is where I take charge!" She looked at the guards. "Take him immedi."
Teela had no time to finish her sentence, she barely had enough time to deflect the sword strike that had been levelled at her. The Snake Men were upon her.
Now she could see why the others had fallen so quickly; the Snake Men did not move like ordinary men, the struck like the reptiles they were named after. Screams to either side told her of more of her men falling to the blade.
"Tear through the back of the tent, take the mouldy goat with you!" she instructed the remaining guards. She heard the hide rip from a cut and the men scurry out the back. She grinned at her opponent, "Want to play follow the leader?" She severed the two front cords attached to the tent pegs and retreated inside. Five of the Snake Men followed her and watched as she slipped out through the rent. Once out she cut the remaining cords, trapping the oblivious warriors underneath.
She had no time for self-congratulation as other foes soon drew to her. Teela started to tire, the Snake Men were attacking from all sides. What force she channelled to keep them at bay she could not imagine. Only survival instinct kept her alive, her blade flashing furiously, fending off the lightning quick strikes of her reptilian attackers.
Without warning hands grabbed her by the arms, vice-like grips that caused her to tire the more she struggled against them. Teela stopped, she would not beg for her life for the amusement of these depraved fools.
"My Queen. At least we meet." Mekasha emerged from behind her captors. He cupped her chin roughly, "Look into the eyes of your King, the eyes of your mate." He released his grip on her. "Do I disgust you?" he asked. "Do you find me repulsive? Because I can assure you that the idea of sharing a nest with you sickens me. You are hideous even by human standards."
"Then what need have you of me?"
"What little remained of my people would have perished in my absence. All the males were fought and captured by the human trickery at Derren-Ma. If we are to rule the world then two things are needed; our symbol of power - The Crimson Singer and to re-populate our kind. That is where your role begins."
Teela heard, before she saw, the whine of laser bolts carve a path through the air and strike the ground sending plumes of black sand scattering everywhere. Teela used the distraction to break free of her captor's grasp. A second blast tore through the sands and the Snake Men dove for cover. The familiar pitch of a Wind Raider's engines caught Teela's attention and she watched as it touched down in a rather awkward landing, sending even more of the poisoned debris flying every which way.
From the cockpit the unmistakeable form of He-Man leapt. The Snake warriors rushed him immediately. His sword sheared through the first hapless arrival easily. More fell as he brutishly swung his blade in wide arcs, annihilating any who dared venture within his reach.
"He-Man, over here!" Teela called to the muscle-bound hero.
The slightest of nods told Teela that he had heard her, and indeed he began to cut a path through to her. One limber opponent wrapped its arms around He-Man's wrists, who promptly reacted by swinging his assailant in a circle, effectively clubbing any who got in the way. He then dislodged the attacker by slamming its helpless body into the side of the Wind Raider. Teela looked on in disbelief, wondering if she could get away with that manoeuvre in a fight.
"Stop!" Mekasha's voice rang through the night air. "I do not know who you are stranger, but if you leave now I shall spare your life."
The Snake Men backed away from He-Man. He-Man looked at his attackers and then at the Snake King. "But you do know me. I am the heir to the Elders, chosen to wield the power of the Council. I am that which you covet." He- Man smirked. "And I know who you are.King Hiss."
Teela had no idea what He-Man was talking about, 'the chosen of this and that.'
"If you know me Son of the Elders', then you would also know what this is." Mekasha said as he drew forth the uniquely designed sword of the Snake Men. Teela gasped, how in Eternia did he get his hands on it? Teela looked to the east where the bulky ships could be seen sailing out to sea, did Melaktha fall?
"The Crimson Singer." He-Man nodded in recognition, answering in a sober tone of voice.
"Then you know what it is capable of?"
He-Man again gave a tight smile, "But what good is a weapon with no master to wield it?"
Teela took in the confused expression on Mekasha's face as He-Man launched himself at the Snake King. Hiss brought his blade up to meet He-Man's blow but the force of the Champion's strike sent him spinning through the air, landing heavily on the coarse sand. He-Man swung directly at the Crimson Singer but this time Mekasha reacted swiftly, thrusting his open palm towards the Eternian champion, an invisible blast taking He-Man off his feet and landing several feet away.
Both men leapt back into standing positions, swords at the ready. "Teela," He-Man called, "get to the Wind Raider and start it up."
Hiss' head snapped towards his forgotten prey and he started to mutter an incantation before He-Man kicked obsidian sand into the Snake King's face, upon which he began to choke. He-Man again leapt for him and was singed by a wall of flame Hiss had thrown up defensively.
Teela leapt into the cockpit of the Wind Raider and kicked the thrusters into action. Snake warriors ran for their 'Queen' and were flattened by the Raider's bow as it launched into the dark sky.
He-Man knelt on the ground clutching his sword hand; it had been burned by Hiss' flame. Mekasha ran up to the prostrate warrior, reared back his leg and kicked his foe full in the face. Mekasha raised the Singer high above his head.
"Now Son of the Council, you will die." The ground near Hiss erupted and he was again thrown from his feet. He-Man staggered to his and looked upwards. Teela, in the Wind Raider swooped low and He-Man jumped impossibly high catching the vehicle with his good hand.
He hauled himself into the seat beside Teela. "Hit the accelerator as hard as you can for the mainland."
"Why retreat now? From here we can blast him into oblivion." Teela protested.
He-Man shook his head. "No, he is waiting for us to attack again. He is too powerful to tackle head-on. We must retreat for now." Teela nodded her head in understanding.
They were safely over the ocean when Teela suddenly turned and elbowed He- Man hard in the stomach.
"Ow, what was that for?"
"For waiting until the absolute last moment to rescue me!" came the retort.
Chapter 9
She wasted precious little time. The troops were put on full alert and were ready to evacuate the dig site at a moment's notice. Watches were lined at the rim of the pit and the ships at the docks were heavily guarded. While others rejoiced Captain Teela and her warriors prepared for an attack.
Melaktha protested vigorously when she assigned a score of mercenaries to watch over him and the sword, though she would hear none of it. If here dreams proved correct then she knew the sword would be the Snake Men's desire. She had no reason to disbelieve the dreams; one did not have entire conversations in the dream-state then remember the entire dialogue upon waking.
The militaristic preparations of the soldiers soon put a damper on the work crew's enthusiasm and a tense restlessness befell the entire site. Night came quickly and without event and the cool night air calmed many and they made their way to their cots. With the exception of Teela's group.
Teela felt her eyelids droop as the night dulled too her senses. She refused to allow herself the luxury of sleep tonight; tomorrow everyone would make ready to return to the mainland and she felt that should they make it through the night then safe they would be.
Several more hours passed when a horn sounded from near the pit. It was the warning signal.
"Rouse everyone, we leave now!" She shouted to a solidly built veteran by the name of Gareth.
Soon voices could be heard everywhere, the warning yells of the guards and the panicked cries of the academic's and the labourers. Then, over the cacophony a new sound could be heard; the blood-curdling cries of men being eviscerated.
Teela ran towards the pit. When she arrived of those she had stationed there none remained; forty men overwhelmed in a matter of minutes! And there he stood - his green armour shining dully in the moonlight, tall and imperious and a look of pure rage etched into his face.
"My Queen." Mekasha declared looking at the woman he previously had only seen in visions.
"Not tonight you over-stuffed handbag." Teela retorted before fleeing to rejoin the rest of her force.
"After them, let none escape, let none live but for the queen!" Teela heard Mekasha scream into the darkness.
He must have had three dozen warriors from what little she could see; she had more than a hundred and fifty under her command. It seemed to her that would not be enough to quell the marauders, not if they could subdue forty at whim, nor would she waste an entire legion to bring down so few. No it made sense to evacuate everyone leaving the Snake Men stranded on Vaneda, then she could return at leisure with the Royal Elite to destroy the enemy.
She joined with the men she had left to care for Melaktha. "What in the Six Hells are you still doing here? You were supposed to evacuate him!" She demanded to know.
"Captain Teela, I insisted to your men that I must be allowed to stay and observe these creatures. Ancient races do not return to the world every day, we must know more about them." The Archaeologist explained.
Teela's face turned purple. "Are you insane, you mouldy, old goat?" she screamed. "This is not a bloody history lesson, it is an emergency and this is where I take charge!" She looked at the guards. "Take him immedi."
Teela had no time to finish her sentence, she barely had enough time to deflect the sword strike that had been levelled at her. The Snake Men were upon her.
Now she could see why the others had fallen so quickly; the Snake Men did not move like ordinary men, the struck like the reptiles they were named after. Screams to either side told her of more of her men falling to the blade.
"Tear through the back of the tent, take the mouldy goat with you!" she instructed the remaining guards. She heard the hide rip from a cut and the men scurry out the back. She grinned at her opponent, "Want to play follow the leader?" She severed the two front cords attached to the tent pegs and retreated inside. Five of the Snake Men followed her and watched as she slipped out through the rent. Once out she cut the remaining cords, trapping the oblivious warriors underneath.
She had no time for self-congratulation as other foes soon drew to her. Teela started to tire, the Snake Men were attacking from all sides. What force she channelled to keep them at bay she could not imagine. Only survival instinct kept her alive, her blade flashing furiously, fending off the lightning quick strikes of her reptilian attackers.
Without warning hands grabbed her by the arms, vice-like grips that caused her to tire the more she struggled against them. Teela stopped, she would not beg for her life for the amusement of these depraved fools.
"My Queen. At least we meet." Mekasha emerged from behind her captors. He cupped her chin roughly, "Look into the eyes of your King, the eyes of your mate." He released his grip on her. "Do I disgust you?" he asked. "Do you find me repulsive? Because I can assure you that the idea of sharing a nest with you sickens me. You are hideous even by human standards."
"Then what need have you of me?"
"What little remained of my people would have perished in my absence. All the males were fought and captured by the human trickery at Derren-Ma. If we are to rule the world then two things are needed; our symbol of power - The Crimson Singer and to re-populate our kind. That is where your role begins."
Teela heard, before she saw, the whine of laser bolts carve a path through the air and strike the ground sending plumes of black sand scattering everywhere. Teela used the distraction to break free of her captor's grasp. A second blast tore through the sands and the Snake Men dove for cover. The familiar pitch of a Wind Raider's engines caught Teela's attention and she watched as it touched down in a rather awkward landing, sending even more of the poisoned debris flying every which way.
From the cockpit the unmistakeable form of He-Man leapt. The Snake warriors rushed him immediately. His sword sheared through the first hapless arrival easily. More fell as he brutishly swung his blade in wide arcs, annihilating any who dared venture within his reach.
"He-Man, over here!" Teela called to the muscle-bound hero.
The slightest of nods told Teela that he had heard her, and indeed he began to cut a path through to her. One limber opponent wrapped its arms around He-Man's wrists, who promptly reacted by swinging his assailant in a circle, effectively clubbing any who got in the way. He then dislodged the attacker by slamming its helpless body into the side of the Wind Raider. Teela looked on in disbelief, wondering if she could get away with that manoeuvre in a fight.
"Stop!" Mekasha's voice rang through the night air. "I do not know who you are stranger, but if you leave now I shall spare your life."
The Snake Men backed away from He-Man. He-Man looked at his attackers and then at the Snake King. "But you do know me. I am the heir to the Elders, chosen to wield the power of the Council. I am that which you covet." He- Man smirked. "And I know who you are.King Hiss."
Teela had no idea what He-Man was talking about, 'the chosen of this and that.'
"If you know me Son of the Elders', then you would also know what this is." Mekasha said as he drew forth the uniquely designed sword of the Snake Men. Teela gasped, how in Eternia did he get his hands on it? Teela looked to the east where the bulky ships could be seen sailing out to sea, did Melaktha fall?
"The Crimson Singer." He-Man nodded in recognition, answering in a sober tone of voice.
"Then you know what it is capable of?"
He-Man again gave a tight smile, "But what good is a weapon with no master to wield it?"
Teela took in the confused expression on Mekasha's face as He-Man launched himself at the Snake King. Hiss brought his blade up to meet He-Man's blow but the force of the Champion's strike sent him spinning through the air, landing heavily on the coarse sand. He-Man swung directly at the Crimson Singer but this time Mekasha reacted swiftly, thrusting his open palm towards the Eternian champion, an invisible blast taking He-Man off his feet and landing several feet away.
Both men leapt back into standing positions, swords at the ready. "Teela," He-Man called, "get to the Wind Raider and start it up."
Hiss' head snapped towards his forgotten prey and he started to mutter an incantation before He-Man kicked obsidian sand into the Snake King's face, upon which he began to choke. He-Man again leapt for him and was singed by a wall of flame Hiss had thrown up defensively.
Teela leapt into the cockpit of the Wind Raider and kicked the thrusters into action. Snake warriors ran for their 'Queen' and were flattened by the Raider's bow as it launched into the dark sky.
He-Man knelt on the ground clutching his sword hand; it had been burned by Hiss' flame. Mekasha ran up to the prostrate warrior, reared back his leg and kicked his foe full in the face. Mekasha raised the Singer high above his head.
"Now Son of the Council, you will die." The ground near Hiss erupted and he was again thrown from his feet. He-Man staggered to his and looked upwards. Teela, in the Wind Raider swooped low and He-Man jumped impossibly high catching the vehicle with his good hand.
He hauled himself into the seat beside Teela. "Hit the accelerator as hard as you can for the mainland."
"Why retreat now? From here we can blast him into oblivion." Teela protested.
He-Man shook his head. "No, he is waiting for us to attack again. He is too powerful to tackle head-on. We must retreat for now." Teela nodded her head in understanding.
They were safely over the ocean when Teela suddenly turned and elbowed He- Man hard in the stomach.
"Ow, what was that for?"
"For waiting until the absolute last moment to rescue me!" came the retort.