Noah shuddered under the bear’s gaze. What is with their demented smiles? As much as he wanted to consider the origin of the monsters and the reason behind the system’s twisted mutations, he found that he had more pressing concerns. The bear tore off from the frenzied mass of beasts, heading directly toward them. Judging by its current speed, Noah doubted their ability to outpace it.

  “Spread out!” He shouted, readying his hammer. His experience with semi-intelligent beasts had been painful, and he wasn’t willing to underestimate this one. “I will take the charge head on, everyone else work to surround it and limit its mobility! Aim for the tendons in the legs, or along the spine if you get the opportunity!” He shouted over the low rumble of the bear’s movement. Once the others had moved into position, he began running toward the bear. It was a hulking monstrosity, with dark black fur that bristled like porcupine quills. Internally he groaned. This is going to be painful.

  Noah met the bear’s momentum with a mighty swing of his hammer spike. He grinned at the perfect placement of his weapon, already imagining the quick defeat that would come from a spike to the brain. Instead, he was thrown through the air, as the bear backhanded him with its paw. The breath was knocked from his lungs and he skidded across the packed snow. He climbed to his feet, searching for the beast. What he saw sent fear crawling up his spine. Where the deadly wound ought to have been, there was the beginnings of welt, and his hammer spike had been turned into a corkscrew. The others were already engaging the beast, so he sprinted back toward the monster. Flashes of the fight with the cyclops flitted through his brain, but he did his best to stay engaged in the moment. Ta’Ku had survived, and so would they.

  The bear let out a yowl of pain and Noah examined the scene for its source. Ne’Ja had somehow driven her spear through its back paw. We can do this. He leapt forward, swinging his hammer with all the strength his stats provided. It connected with the lowest joint in the bear’s leg, awarding him with a satisfying crunch. The bear began to thrash wildly, sending several warriors through the air, and catching another with its claws. Noah landed another blow to its torso but found it to be completely ineffective.

  “Aim for the legs!” Ne’Ja shouted from the other side of the beast. Noah did just that and was once again rewarded for his effort as the bear turned its full attention to him. He did his best to ward off its attacks, but only managed to deflect a single blow before he caught claws to his ribs. They didn’t pierce him clean through, but they left deep gashes uncomfortably close to his heart. He winced in pain as the warm blood began to flow down his chest. Knowing he couldn’t lose the bear’s attention, he muscled his way to his feet and swung his hammer once again. The bear's front left leg gave out under his blow and its head slammed into the snow. He followed up the attack with another and another. The several orcs still standing joined him in his mad attack, and they thoroughly thrashed the bear, or at least its legs. All of a sudden the bear roared its protest, and faster than they could react it sent its quills in every direction, piercing their bodies like needles through cloth. They cried out in shared agony as they were riddled with holes.

  The bear let out a barking laugh and met eyes with Noah. There wasn’t a hint of defeat in them. We need to run. The thought was like a faint whisper in his brain, while the rest of him was certain that just a few more hits would do the bear in. He slammed his hammer into the bear’s face. Nothing happened. Even its nose rebuffed the full weight of his attack. Then the quills flew again and more bodies dropped to the ground. Oh no. Panic began to set in as he stepped back from the beast. His chest was covered in spikes that had managed to puncture but not push through.

  “Run!” He yelled, finally finding his voice. He dashed away from the beast but saw only two of the orcs join him in retreat. The rest were still on the ground. No. He sprinted toward the nearest warrior, finding Di’Ma covered in his own blood. He grabbed him under the arms and began dragging him away from the bear. As he did, he saw the quills on the bear flex, and without thinking he jumped in front of his companion just as the missiles arrived. With desperate effort he carried Di’Ma to safety, depositing him with the others. Then he rushed in again. And again. By the time he retrieved the final body, he was limping and looked more like a porcupine than the bear. He collapsed to the snow beside his warriors, who were desperately trying to get his attention.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “No’Ah!”

  “No’Ah!”

  “Chief!”

  Noah’s eyes opened abruptly and he saw the bloodied face of Ne’Ja hovering over him. Did I faint? He tried to sit up but the world started to turn.

  “Hang on. You’ve lost a lot of blood.” She said, tying something around his chest. He looked down noticing his exposed skin, bound in strips of leather from his torn clothing. A pile of quills rested next to his body, his blood still dripping off them.

  “Ne’Ja.” His voice caught as a wave of pain arced through him. He grimaced, clenching his teeth. “How are the others?” He managed. She smiled at him, a genuine heartfelt smile.

  “Everyone is alive. If barely.” She said. Her words were like a salve to his wounds and tears of relief ran down his face. He let out a deep sigh and laid his head back into the snow. They’re alive. As if to further confirm their continued existence, a System message rang in his ears.

  [1000 XP Gained.]

  He grinned at the number, knowing that there was no way this beast only provided 1000 XP. They really were all alive. As a deep peace settled over him, his body finally gave in and his vision went black.

  ~

  Alure Galaxy, Sector 849

  “What do you mean I’m getting married?” Livia screamed, glaring at her mother.

  “Dear, you have known about this for some time. Why are you making a fuss about it now?” The queen responded, her brow bunching ever so slightly.

  “You never said it would be to some backsector nobody! You said I was betrothed for the good of the kingdom! What possible good could come from this? I will be the laughing stock of the galaxy.” Livia protested. The queen sighed, letting her visage drop as she took in her daughter. She sat on her bed and motioned for her daughter to sit beside her.

  “Livia, this is for the good of our kingdom.” She began, her voice soothing. “Do you remember our allies from the Trellian Galaxy?” Livia nodded, frowning.

  “The ones that dad served with?” She asked.

  “The very same. Their house is declining without an heir and they have called in one of the many favors we owe them for the price they paid.” The queen explained. Livia sighed, her heart troubled. She wanted to protest further, to say it wasn’t fair for her to bear her family’s burden, but how could she?

  “I understand.” She replied, her emotions deflating. The queen gave her a soft smile and squeezed her hands.

  “Thank you, dear. Perhaps he won’t be as bad as you are imagining either.” She said with a wink. Livia laughed.

  “How long do I have before the ceremony?” The queen cocked her head.

  “Between two and three years I believe.” She responded. Livia let out a relieved breath. I still have time. The queen’s lips pursed, seeing her daughter’s reaction.

  “Livia, there is a lot to be done. An inter-galaxy marriage is a grand affair, especially between noble houses like our own. You had better hope it’s the full three years with all the planning you have ahead of you.” The queen said. Livia’s eyes went wide and she stared at the wall. My life is over.

  Trellian Galaxy, Sector 901

  “So how did she take the news?” The woman asked, holding a glowing orb in front of her. There was a sigh on the other end of the connection.

  “All things considered, it went better than I imagined. Certainly better than I would have reacted.” The queen replied.

  “I appreciate you doing this, you and your daughter.” The woman replied.

  “Crescellia, not another word of that. You know we would do anything for you after what happened.” The queen said. The woman–Crescellia gave a sad smile.

  “I wonder how he will react when he finds out.” She mused.

  “What’s the earliest you can tell him?” The queen asked.

  “Two and a half years.” She replied. The queen giggled.

  “Oh my. Will you tell him on the way to the wedding then?” She asked.

  “I believe that may be the only option.” Crescellia stated. She looked down at the globe slowly spinning on its own accord. If she could she would scoop him up in an instant, but the System would never allow it. You’ll have to wait.