Warrior Rising
Chapter 13 – Attack Part 3
Gravnak growled heavily. The bandit leader glared at Spyro, Xanthe, and Fisk. Antony saw the hatred, anxiety, and worry in the dragon's eyes. The bandit leader must have heard of the three adventurers. They must be resourceful and strong, Antony thought, as he moved to Spyro's side.
"Four on one…" the bandit leader breathed. "Let's change that. Murk, Scav, Legg, join me. Every one else, fall back with the loot!"
"But boss…" a bandit hefted a bag filled with jewels, plates, and silverware.
"Shut up! Go!"
The bandits turned and began to dash out of Sea Haven. They hacked and slashed and bashed their way through the citizens and guards to leave. However, three bandits hurried to Gravnak's side – an elf, a prowler, and a sprite. Each wielded a weapon and glared at Spyro, Xanthe, Fisk, and Antony with derision and malice.
"Attack!" Gravnak roared.
Gravnak charged forward, aiming to tackle and overwhelm Antony. He moved swiftly despite his bulky build and muscle. Antony gritted his teeth and prepared for the impact, but Spyro charged in front of Antony and lowered his horns. A loud clack rang out as horns collided. Spyro grunted and pushed, but Gravnak pushed back.
The bandit elf lifted his bow, notched an arrow and fired a shot at Spyro. But a dark orb burst forward and knocked the arrow away. Xanthe darted forward to confront the elf.
Fisk charged toward the prowler with a grin. "Come on, fur bag, let's see what you got!"
"I will crush you," the bandit prowler snarled, lifting his spiked mace. He swung it above his furry head and brought down in an arc, but Fisk sidestepped the blow and blasted an electric orb at the prowler's belly. Electricity crackled and hissed on impact. The bandit screeched and skidded across the cobblestone road, rocks and pebbles flying.
Amazing! Antony blinked at the ferocity of the three dragons. Suddenly, a sword slash came near. Antony jumped back and realized that the sprite bandit was attacking.
"Time to die, city guard," the sprite replied with a dark smile, his antennae twitched.
"No way," Antony snapped.
"We shall see, fool."
The sprite came again with a chop, a thrust, and two cuts of his sword. Antony dodged and ducked the strikes. But the attacks didn't stop. The sword aimed for his neck, chest, head, and legs. Antony grunted when the metal grazed one of his legs and left a line of blood. Pain flashed.
I have to remember my training, Antony told himself. I'm a Sea Haven Guard.
"Don't give up!"
"Teach these bandits a lesson!"
"Send these scumbags running!"
Antony heard the cries and cheers of the townspeople as the fighting continued. Antony smiled at this and attacked the sprite with a volley of bites, headbutts, kicks, tail slaps, swipes, and slashes. The sprite blocked the attacks with his sword. He grunted with each action, and his antennae twitched.
"Not bad, young dragon," the sprite said. "But besting me won't be easy."
The sprite lifted one hand and concentrated. Suddenly, his hand flashed with bright white light. Five more bursts came, and Antony staggered back. The brightness was intense, but he wouldn't give him. Without thinking, he opened his mouth and fired two electric bolts. The bandit sprite howled with pain as the attacks connected.
Antony fired another bolt. The sprite twitched and jerked. Electricity burst and spread across his body. His pointed ears and bug like antennae quivered. His untidy hair stood on end. His eyes widened at Antony. When the electricity faded, the bandit collapsed to one knee, panting.
"Ugh…beating you…won't be easy," the bandit sprite said. "I'll return one day, Antony. Remember me. Tejak."
"Tejak?" Antony said.
"That's correct. When I return, I'll be much stronger. Until then, I'll depart."
Tejak whirled around without a word. He laughed. Then, he dashed through the city streets. Some townspeople tried to stop him and capture him, but the sprite dodged them and moved swiftly. Antony watched him leave Sea Haven before hearing a snarl and a voice. Gravnak, the elf, and the prowler were running to the outskirts of Sea Haven.
"This isn't the last you will hear of Gravnak and the Gang," the bandit leader snarled. "Mark my words!"
"And we'll be ready," Spyro growled back.
"All of us," Antony added, shooting a glare at Gravnak. "The Sea Haven Guard will be here to stop you."
Gravnak stopped. He turned to look at Antony. A dark smile spread across his face. "You'll be the first guard I want to kill."
Then, Gravnak retreated from Sea Haven with his bandits. The dragon dashed and shoved his way past. The townspeople, the guards, and the Blazing Trio watched as Antony felt a chill run down his shoulder. Gravnak's words echoed through his head. You'll be the first guard I want to kill. Antony didn't like the sound of it, but at the same time, he wanted to fight the bandit leader and protect the people and his newfound family.
Once the bandits were gone, the townspeople turned to Antony, the Sea Haven Guards, and the Blazing Trio. They began to cheer. Antony smiled as the elves, dragons, sprites, and prowlers offered their praise and thanks. At first the cheering was soft, but in seconds, it grew louder and intense.
I'm going to get stronger and stronger, Antony promised himself. I still have much to learn. He glanced to the outskirts of Sea Haven and the forests beyond. I have to if I stand a chance against Gravnak.