CHAPTER 7-POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE

Chapter 7-POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE 

The scene switches back to the Northern leaders' conversation, two days after Rouke and Khayjin's training session.

Lady Vena says, "I hear Rouke has sent his best fighter to my village to check on the freeloaders led by the Cursed."

Disciple Rin replies, "Yes, just to make sure all is well. They've been outside your gates for too long."

Disciple Kion adds, "It's quite impressive that a person without an Anointing can be such a threat. Gavon the Hunter has been renowned for a few years now, known to never miss a target. Without having an Anointing, it's quite impressive."

Rin responds, "Yes, he has mastered using Discernment with training under Rouke. We all know that Discernment is just as great as an Anointing if used properly - increased senses, foresight, etc. Plus, Tega the Great, being such a small guy, wields his huge axe with impressive skill."

Lady Vena replies, "Well, if Rouke trusts them, so do I."

Scene switches to Gavon arriving at The New Hampshire front ....

Lady Vena's husband, General Ghaus, approaches Gavon. "Hello, my friend. I appreciate you arriving here with your soldiers. I trust you have been informed of the situation?"

Gavon replies, "Yes, we were told by Rouke to bring some food and offer shelter if they're willing to receive the Lord."

Ghaus responds, "No, no, no. Not if they're being led by a Cursed. They must have deeper intentions."

Gavon counters, "If they did, why not attack already? They would know there's not much here that can defend against an attack. No offense, but you all are the signal callers, not the fighters."

Ghaus sighs, "True, but something's off. We would have sent food, but it's been storming this past week."

Tega asks, "Could Gavon go look up top to get a better view of the situation?"

Gavon replies, "No, there's no reason. It's too cloudy. Let's just prepare."

Gavon yells, "Open the gates!" As he walks toward the gate, a soldier gives him a huge sniper and a case. Gavon opens the case and says, "We don't need the Holy Oil-filled shells; these are humans, not demons." He then jumps on HERLON (a horse-bull mix hybrid). Tega approaches, saying, "Ayooooo, cuz! Got my beautiful axe, just in case they get rowdy!" (Tega has his huge axe over his shoulder as he climbs on his Herlon).

Gavon says, "Yeah, never know how they're gonna act. Hopefully, they're coming in peace... Are the food and water carts ready?" Tega replies, "Yup, all set, Gavon. 46, 56, 72, 83... Okay, we have 100 soldiers here, let's go!" They all head out the gate and head to the location. They arrive near the camp.

Tega asks, "What are you feeling, cuz?" Gavon replies, "I discern there's over fifty people at the camp, but what's weird is I can smell more... What about you?" Tega says, "Yeah, same. This scent is strong, demonic?" Gavon replies, "Yeah, but free walkers, bounty hunters... None of them have that kind of scent. Plus, last time we ran into a cursed spirit, it didn't feel or smell this different. Must be a demon." Tega adds, "No, sources said a Cursed and human soldiers..."

They approach the camp and see two huge Igooomz (iguana-snake mix). They hiss at Gavon, but he just gets off his Herlon and walks past them. He stands in front of the camp entrance and says, "Come out, free loaders! We have food and water?" The camp remains silent. Gavon yells, "Helllllllloooooo! We come in the name of Master Rouke!"

A menacing voice responds, "I sense no Anointing from either of you." Gavon looks around and says, "Where are you? What do you want?" Smoke appears, and out of it, a man walks. "I'm known as Kyll. I'm a cursed spirit, and I've come to infiltrate this village. But see, I'm not the sneaky type. I'm straight to the point."

Gavon replies, "We've brought food and water for you all. This isn't how you accept a genuine offer of kindness."

Kyll sneers, "That's the problem with you tribes. You think everything boils down to food, money, or ulterior motives. But sometimes, it's simply a matter of fate. The cycle of the Cursed and the Anointed cannot be swayed by petty gestures."

Tega presses, "What cycle? What effect are you talking about?"

Kyll laughs, "The positive-negative affect - a never-ending cycle. God versus Satan, demons versus angels, heaven versus hell. The Cursed versus the Anointed. It's our destiny as the Cursed to eradicate all the Anointed. Rouke's precious Anointing selects only the innocent, kind hearted, and peace-loving. Meanwhile, the Demon King Genjo curses us - the forgotten, dark-hearted ones. Some, like me, embrace it willingly. Others are simply pawns in the cycle. But make no mistake, we will fulfill our purpose. The Anointed will fall, and we will reign. I came here to kill your Master Rouke, not have a tea party. Hahaha!" (Soldiers emerge from their tents) "A whole bunch of warriors want blood, as I do. You should say hello, hahaha!"

Gavon asks, "Why haven't you taken out the village or intruded if that was your intention?"

Kyll replies, "Ooo, sorry, I didn't have intentions to get killed from long distance. Do you think I'm a fool? I had to get you into close combat. Plus, all the protection of holy grounds at Northern Edge. I'll stick to close-range tactics. Killing you and the axe boy will definitely get Rouke out of his comfort zone and you out of your little snipers' nest." 

Gavon, "Welp."

Gavon pulls out his sniper and aims at Kyll. In a flash, Kyll appears behind him and attempts to stab Gavon.

(Tega's axe blocks the knife attack. Then Tega spins around on the top of his axe, kicking Kyll and sending him flying back.)

(Gavon shoots a shot at Kyll. As soon as it's about to hit, Kyll puts his blade in front of his face and says, "Blood curve." The blade grows longer and is able to slice the bullet right down the middle.)

Kyll leaps into the air, his voice thundering as he summons, "Now, Master Vojim!"

The ground erupts into a frenzy of tremors, and the earth spews forth a horde of undead warriors. Gavon and Tega stumble back, shocked and surrounded by the unrelenting tide of skeletal fighters and reanimated corpses.

Gavon's voice rings out in alarm, "What dark sorcery is this?!"

Tega's warning comes too late, "No, this was a trap! We've walked right into an ambush!"

Gavon bellows, "Soldiers, defend yourselves! Prepare to fight against this unholy horde!"

Tega's nose wrinkles in distaste, "What's that smell? It's not the stench of demonic power... something's off."

Just then, a figure emerges from the shadows. The man strides confidently toward the center of the battlefield, his presence commanding attention. "I am Vojim, and this is my army."

Gavon's eyes narrow, "An Anointed, how is this possible? You wield the dead. And why fight alongside a Cursed? You should be ashamed to go against your own kind."

Vojim's smile is unsettling, "Ah, to answer your questions, I possess the Anointing of Ezekiel, who once commanded an army of the dead. My power allows me to control and wield the departed."

Tega's eyes widened in realization, "That's why we sensed more people earlier - the dead, hidden underground, waiting to be summoned. He must have had them prepared, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

Vojim gazes at Kyll, his expression unreadable. "Rouke did not come as you predicted. This trap was set for him, not for people who don't even possess Anointings."

Kyll smirks, "I figured you'd want to make a grand entrance sooner rather than later."

Vojim shakes his head, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "Of course, he's still just a child."

Gavon's grip on his weapon tightens, "This is not good. We're outnumbered, and his powers are unlike anything we've faced. We're trained to fight Cursed and demons, not a fellow Anointed. 

A standoff between Vojim, Ky'll, Gavon, and Tega begins.

Chapter Endz

CHAPTER 8-Titled-MAN OF SKULLZ