Page 53 (1/2)

Chapter One

I stand on the surface of a cal skies abovetowardon the water Their right index fingers sport sword-like claws, and they lack noses and eyes In general, their heads are pretty lacking—no hair, no ears, just baby-se mouth in the middle of where the face would be And if that weren’t creepy enough, the horror nearestlike a cat in heat

To

“You!” the creature is shrieking “You’re not dead?”

I gape at it “Why would I be? What are you? How do you know me?”

The creature slices atmy head

“Stay still!” the monstrosity screeches “If I slay you now, Master will be pleased”

Yeah, right An appendage-like growth extends fro into a furry sword in time to parry the next sword-claw strike “What e and slash

My opponent’s cleaved in half before it can answer

A second creature reachesits sword-claw “Master hates you!” it screeches when I parry “Your existence is a blight”

I counterattack with ht?” I yank out the blade “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black”

The ti about their master reater violence Their claws hack and slash without any strategy,them easy prey for my furry blade

The next two are

I feint, then lop one’s head right off The next opponent ducks beneathon the water As I loo h

I juonizingly

Theyell, it lunges again—and its claw pierces my shoulder