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**Author's Note**
TL;DR: Defense of Adigiar is coming to an end! After this alternate prologue, the final chapters will be released over the coming weeks.
Salutations! It has been some time since Defense of Adigiar went on hiatus, but now the end is almost here! To celebrate the final chapters coming out over the next weeks, I have decided to release an alternate prologue that was originally an RTX 2018 exclusive. I hope this will help people remember the events that have transpired, or serve as a new way for people to get into the story! If you are curious about the hiatus, stick around and check out the post script after this chapter. Thank you everyone, old readers and new alike, and I hope you enjoy!
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Kiwi hung in the air, balancing on streams of air that burst from the twin tails of her scarf. She faced down the flock of giant Nevermore flying straight for her, seven in total. They could fly as fast as a Bullhead and would reach Adigiar in a matter of minutes if she didn't stop them. They would be her targets this night.
Below, Kiwi saw a group of Beowolves and Ursai charge down the side of the mountain looming before her, disappearing into the expansive forest at its base. She ignored them for the time being, trusting that Argrom and his pack would take care of them.
Kiwi took the half-disk weapons from her hips and flipped them out. The blades rotated smoothly away from the handles, turning into hemispheres of razor sharp steel on the end of foot-long hilts. The weapons resembled the khopesh wielded by the western desert tribes of old. Faint sparks of electricity ran along the blades, the dust infusion activated somewhat by her weapons' first transformation.
Hanging there for a moment, Kiwi took deep breaths and emptied her mind. These were creatures of darkness. They loved fear, fed on it, and hunted it with all their being. Therefore, Kiwi filled her mind with images of loved ones. She thought of her dad, sickly and aged in bed, but still possessed of his sharp wit and easy laugh. She thought of the old healer who cared for him and the other villagers, the children who laughed and played in the streets, and the multi-generational farmers who toiled in the fields with smiles on their faces and jokes on their lips.
Kiwi let these images suffuse her being, a small smile touching her lips. This was why she fought. Not out of fear, anger, or even self-preservation. She fought for those she loved, and would do so without regret until the day she died. She thought she might burst from the happiness she felt at the thought of those people she cared for so deeply being able to live their happy, peaceful lives.
Eyes snapping open, Kiwi shot towards the cliffs. Her body was light, the wind behind her growing more powerful as she urged herself to greater speeds. Her heart was so light that the first Nevermore didn't even look up before her sword took it in the neck. She grew heavy just before the point of impact, lending power to the blow, and her crackling blade passed clean through three quarters of the creature's thick neck. She spun in the air, her second blade cleaving through the remaining flesh, before her momentum carried her past the decapitated Grimm.
Kiwi could feel her weight pulling her down so she pushed her semblance in the other direction, making herself lighter. The wind from her scarf pushed her to greater heights as the Nevermore below her dissipated into black mist. The other Nevermores oriented on her, half a dozen pairs of glowing red eyes tracking her movement across the sky.
She slowed, allowing the massive Grimm to close the distance. As they drew nearer she rolled in the air, briefly cutting off her wind until she was pointed back towards them. She reactivated the wind, launching herself on a collision course with the lead Nevermore.
At the last second Kiwi adjusted her course and passed within a foot of the creature's white mask, the razor sharp beak closing on the empty air next to her. She held her swords to either side like wings, pivoting in the air so her right blade passed through the joint connecting the Grimm's wing to its body.
Kiwi kicked off the screeching Grimm's body, khopeshes held out in front as she shot towards the third Nevermore. It started to turn its head towards her, but Kiwi was too fast and her weapons smashed point first through the eye hole in its mask. She extracted her weapons and flew straight up, leaving one Nevermore dissipating into mist and the other plummeting in two distinct pieces to the earth below.
Kiwi quickly angled back down and, increasing her weight, she slammed her feet into the middle of the next Nevermore's back. Its body bent under the impact, its neck arching back to the point where Kiwi could see the red markings on its mask. Becoming light again, she leaped forward and spun her weapons into a reverse grip. She brought them in a wide arc, the tip of each taking the creature in its eyes.
Suddenly there was a blur of black motion to her left as the second to last Nevermore shot straight into the air. Kiwi jumped and reactivated her scarf, matching the Grimm's speed as it climbed higher into the air. She held her swords out in front of her and tucked into a ball, the sudden change in her aerodynamics causing her to spin rapidly. She felt her weapons bite deep into the creature's chest, then rip free only to cut into the monster again. She stabilized after five rotations, and the unmoving Grimm slowly began to fall backwards, bleeding mist from its tattered chest.
Kiwi turned in the air, straining her eyes to find the final Nevermore. She located it to the east, a black section of sky missing stars, heading in the direction of Adigiar. She brought the hilts of her khopeshes together so that the curved blades made an ellipse, grooves in the back of the hilts catching and holding firm. She pulled the top most hilt and it slid back, a stock and trigger flipping out.
Kiwi removed a small bronze spy glass from her belt and clipped it to the side of the weapon in her hands, completing its transformation. Placing the stock against her right shoulder and holding the lower hilt in her left hand, she sighted through the glass. Electricity crackled to life along the blades, the intensity far beyond the small sparks that had occasionally flickered along the khopeshes when they were separated.
Fixing her aim on the retreating Nevermore, Kiwi pulled the trigger. There was a brief absence of sound, followed by a resounding detonation. A bar of metal shot through the small gap between the tips of the curving blades, thrown by the intense electromagnetic field created by the dust-infused blades. The projectile left a trail of electricity, the friction of its passing igniting the oxygen in the air.
The metal spanned the distance in less than a second, catching the Grimm square in the back and passing clean through. It didn't even have time to screech before its body was obliterated into black mist.
With quick, practiced movements Kiwi transformed the rail-gun in her hands back into the twin khopeshes. She glanced around, looking for Argrom's signal. She spotted a tiny sparrow winging its way towards her. The small bird flapped up in front of her, chirping a greeting.
It flew off to the south and Kiwi followed it away from the mountains. Ahead, she could see the lights of Adigiar on the horizon, its occupants sleeping peacefully, completely oblivious to the danger they had just been saved form. It was a large town, not as large as the capitol of Beacon to the north-west, but bigger than any other village in the kingdom.
The sparrow suddenly dipped into a clearing. Kiwi followed it down and dropped lightly into the center, adjusting the strength of the dust in her scarf so as not to blow pine needles and dirt everywhere.
It was well over a quarter of an hour before a figure appeared at the edge of the clearing. He jogged halfway across the clearing before slowing to a walk, breathing as easily as if he had just been out on a leisurely stroll. He was of average height and build, with neatly cropped sandy hair, clothed in dark cargo pants and a black hoodie. The average person on the street wouldn't give him a second glance.
They would be wrong not too. Kiwi's trained eyes picked out the light balance of his feet, each step springing lightly and weight always balanced on the balls and toes. The spear in his hand was held with such confidence that she knew most of the thugs in the city wouldn't stand a chance, regardless of whether they wielded sword, ax, or gun. Though he hadn't yet reached his second decade of life the man's eyes were serious, heavy with experience. They were, however, crinkled just a little at the edges, hinting at enjoyable time spent with those lucky enough to be counted his friends.
The man slung the spear over his back and bowed formally. "Kiwidinek Kadir," he said in a humble voice. "It is a pleasure to be of assistance to the Huntress responsible for keeping the Creatures of Grimm out of Adigiar."
Kiwi frowned at the young man. "Felix Tanners," she chided. "I told you years ago to call me Kiwi. You know I hate useless formality. Besides, the Tanners family protects the entire Kingdom of Vale. I really wish you would look at us more as equals."
"My apologies, Kiwidinek," he said, smiling slightly. It irked Kiwi that he only dropped the last name, but she had to admit that his pronunciation was masterful. Half the reason she went by Kiwi was to make it easier for others to talk to her. "However, right now I am not a Tanners, just a sergeant in the Town Guard."
Kiwi snorted at that. She had met the young man three years ago, when he was leading a scouting party on the overrun continent of Mimar. He was largely wasted in the Town Guard. Still, Tanners tradition was not to be questioned, and right now Kiwi was glad she had a reliable contact in Adigiar's protective force.
"If I may ask," Tanners said, eying the clearing, "why did you wish to meet out here? I don't mind the face-to-face, but wouldn't it have been easier to just call my scroll?"
"There's someone I want you to meet, and he tends to be a little… resistant, when it comes to communicating over the CCT System. I thought he would be here by now..."
Both Kiwi and Felix froze as the bushes on the opposite side of the clearing rustled and a pair of Beowolves pushed through the foliage. Kiwi tensed, but something was off about the pair. The two Grimm weren't looking at them, rather they were looking back the way they had come, and appeared to be fleeing.
A trio of blurred forms burst into the clearing behind the monsters. Two wolves, fully as large as Kiwi herself, tackled the Beowolf on the right, fangs sinking into either side of its neck. The monster flailed as it fell, but the wolves latched onto its back with their claws and rode it to the ground.
A cloaked figure jumped onto the left Beowolf's back in much the same manner as the wolves. Kiwi half expected him to bite the monster's neck as well, but instead a gleam of metal flashed in the air as the man slammed his short-sword into the Beowolf's neck and down into its torso. The creature was nothing but mist before it could hit the ground.
The man walked over to the Beowolf pinned by the wolves, pushing the sword blade between its eyes and splitting the mask with a crack. The wolves sat back on their haunches as the monster dissipated, panting as he knelt between them and checked each for injuries. Satisfied that they were unharmed, he ruffled both of their ears before giving a sharp, commanding bark. The wolves stood and loped into the woods.
"Felix, meet Argrom Karupa," Kiwi said. "He is as responsible for the peace around Adigiar as I am, maybe more so."
Argrom straightened, sliding the short-sword back into the sheath at his hip. Moonlight glinted off the metal plate secured to the fingerless glove on his left hand, a different colored dust crystal gleaming below each knuckle. The tall man swept back his mottled brown hood, revealing an angular face with hard, unforgiving eyes, and a pair of triangular, furry ears. His short black hair pointed straight back in a spiky mane, looking as if a strong wind had blown it back despite the night's calm air.
Felix's hand twitched towards his spear reflexively before he relaxed his muscles with a visible effort. Again, Kiwi was impressed by the young man. Most people would cower during their first meeting with this man.
Felix inclined his head to Argrom. "Huntsman Karupa, it is a pleasure."
"I'm no Huntsman, boy," the man said harshly. "I don't need a title to protect my woods."
Felix raised a surprised eyebrow. It was rare that someone dedicated their life to fighting the Creatures of Grimm without being a part of the close-knit order of Huntsmen and Huntresses.
Argrom's eyes had a strange intensity as he looked at Felix. Though the stare had to make him uncomfortable, Felix met the gaze squarely, standing his ground in the face of Argrom's aggression. After a full minute Argrom's mouth twitched in what might have been the start of a smile.
"I guess he will do. He's strong, for a pup."
Kiwi let out a small sigh of relief. Argrom was strong and cared deeply for the forest set between the ocean and the Morose Mountains. He was also paranoid, antisocial, and terrible at coordinating with others. If he had refused to work with Felix, Kiwi's job would have been infinitely more difficult.
"Well, getting to the problem at hand," Kiwi said, drawing both of their gazes to her. "Felix, things are starting to get worse here, outside of town. The Grimm are gathering in larger numbers than I have ever seen. They are mostly remaining in the mountains, for now, but they are amassing on the border. We may see a horde at the city gates sooner than anyone would want, and considering the current state of the Town Guard they could raze the city."
Felix nodded in agreement. "I've been here for a year and I have to say, if any of the contingents in the army had been half this incompetent they would have been dismissed immediately. The captains are foolish and self-important, their lieutenants lazy and fat, and most of the privates couldn't face so much as a Creeper."
Argrom snorted in disgust. "Pitiful. Just because they haven't faced a horde in almost a decade, they think they are safe."
"That's why we have to do everything we can," Kiwi said, a protective note in her voice. "Given the opportunity I'm sure they can be marshaled into a cohesive fighting force, but change will be slow and time is short. We have to do what we can to impress upon them the importance of what they do, and give them the time they need to change.
"Felix, we need you to begin gathering the most competent around you. Rank, experience, and background don't matter. For those who lack experience, they need to get it as quickly as possible. For those with sorted pasts, they must be taught the importance of what we fight for. When the time comes, we are going to need every hand available."
"As you wish, Kiwidinek," Felix said, dipping his head in her direction. "A new batch of recruits should be filing in soon, hopefully there will be a few diamonds hidden among them. I already have one of the most capable corporals under my command, I will see that he is in charge of training the new recruits. Despite being told not to give me special treatment Commander Fulvio gives heavy credence to my advice, but my influence among the captains is limited. Most of them resent me for being promoted so soon after my entry, above those they would have promoted for various selfish reasons."
Argrom growled angrily, "Fools. What use will their ostentatious comforts grant them when the city is flattened and their throats ripped out?"
Kiwi stepped forward and placed a fond hand on Felix's shoulder. "Make it happen, Felix. We will do what we can to suppress the Grimm, but I fear the two of us will be unable to hold them for long. I will likely make a trip to the Town Guard myself soon, but unless I show up in the midst of a crisis I will be greeted with resentment and resistance. Do what you can in the meantime."
Felix nodded at Kiwi, then Argrom, then turned and loped from the clearing. Argrom raised a surprised eyebrow when he passed into the thick underbrush with barely a whisper of sound.
"That boy has spent much time in the wild. How… unexpected."
"He's a good man, Argrom," Kiwi said, a nostalgic smile on her lips as she eyed the spot where Tanners had disappeared. "He has grown so much since I last saw him."
Argrom turned and started walking toward the trees. "Well, I have business this night. I've been monitoring a pack of Ursai for several weeks, and they are drawing a little close to Tani for my liking."
Kiwi frowned in concern. The small farming village to the north of Adigiar was her home town, and despite being too busy to visit as of late she had strong roots to the people there. Ursai were some of the more dangerous of the common Creatures of Grimm, their enormous bear-like bodies giving them strength capable of smashing through trees and buildings alike. "Ursai are dangerous, Argrom. Do you need a hand?"
He waved his hand casually in the negative over his shoulder. "Please, a dozen Ursai is barely worth my time. I was content to leave them alone for a while, but two days ago they passed my territory markers. That is unforgivable."
Argrom's voice turned cold at the last statement, and Kiwi suppressed a slight shudder. Argrom was a decent man, but there was something wild and unrestrained about him. Not surprising, considering his upbringing, but it still sent shivers down Kiwi's spine whenever it showed through the semi-civilized mask he wore.
When Argrom had disappeared into the shadows Kiwi lightened herself, jumping into the sky as wind burst from the trailing ends of her scarf. Even though she had offered to help Argrom her expertise were sorely needed in the mountains this night, and likely most of the ones following.
She was a Huntress, after all. It was time to do some hunting.
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**Author's note**
Hi everyone. I assume if you are reading this that you are someone who was reading DoA back when it was being released, and were confused when new chapters stopped being published. I feel really bad about suddenly dropping this story, but I was completely overwhelmed with things in my life. To tell the full story I would need several pages of trigger warnings and a therapist on hand, but the long and short of it is I was in a very toxic living situation. I was dependent on someone who was manipulative and controlling, who made me think that I couldn't be anything without them (just imagine "This Life is Mine" playing in the background haha).
It took me several years to separate myself from them, and several years more to find financial and emotional stability in my life. The whole time I was going through that, too overwhelmed to write, the ending of DoA was bouncing around my brain, refusing to be forgotten. Then, one day, after countless hours of therapy and years spent with people who truly care about me, the spark returned. Suddenly I didn't just want to write, I had to write, had to finish the project that first inspired me to write.
The relief I felt putting this story to paper was like an old wound finally healing. It is the ending I had imagined all those years ago, and I am so sorry it took so long to get it out to you all. To those of you who came back, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To those of you just arriving, welcome! You are the lucky ones, as you'll be able to read the whole story in a reasonable amount of time.
I hope you all enjoy the end of Defense of Adigiar!
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