“Your Soul Weapon has evolved,” the Si-Te-Cah said, his momentary anger gone. “That is interesting. And at such a low Level for you, your race and the weapon. I have seen such before but only for those much Higher Leveled in all things.” He glanced at Little River Stone, making sure the Sasquatch wasn’t moving, before turning back to Loch. “I was just going to kill you but now I think I will keep you alive, barely, and study you.”

  Loch spun the two handaxes, trailing lights of energy following.

  “No,” he said, shifting his stance, holding one axe up and behind, the other low and in front. “I think we end this.”

  “Very well.”

  Loch threw the first axe, pulling his arm back and throwing the second. The Si-Te-Cah held out his hands, ready to catch. Fingers went to grasp but the axes had moved. First one and then the other veered slightly to the side, spinning past the hands. They turned, slamming into the shoulders of the Si-Te-Cah, lightning crackling along one and blue flames spreading across the other. Reaching up, the monstrous humanoid tried to grab the weapons but grasped nothing. Both reappeared in Loch’s hands.

  Large fur covered hands reached around the Si-Te-Cah, grabbing him tight. He struggled, trying to wriggle or break free from Little River Stone’s grip. Lifting him up, Little River Stone struggled to get the Si-Te-Cah’s feet off the ground, giving him no leverage to push from. Loch Activated Windstep, appearing right in front of the Si-Te-Cah. He swung low, below the Sasquatch’s arms, Activating Cleave in both axes. Quick swipes left shallow cuts across the stomach, cutting through the pure white robes. Blood leaked out, dripping on the ground, none getting on the robe. It wasn’t much blood, surprising Loch. Those cuts should have ripped the Si-Te-Cah’s stomach open.

  Feet kicked out, slamming into Loch and sending him flying.

  “Enough,” the Si-Te-Cah growled, eyes glowing.

  A wave of pressure burst out, causing Little River Stone to howl in pain, releasing the Si-Te-Cah and falling back, slamming into the wall. Loch had gotten up, but was knocked back down by the pressure wave. He rolled, coming up with both axes in hand.

  The Si-Te-Cah looked down at the rips in his robes, pulling fingers away now stained with blood. He glared at Loch. Two smaller Thunderclaps slammed into him, staggering him back a couple of steps. Loch appeared in front, axes swinging, the weapons spun around with the hammer end leading.

  The hammerheads struck the Si-Te-Cah, causing him to grunt in pain. More blows followed, Loch not letting up. Lightning sparked from the end of each hammer. Crackling bolts shot up with each blow, the Si-Te-Cah backing up.

  And stopping.

  Little River Stone stood braced against the cavern wall, arms locked and extended, preventing the Si-Te-Cah from backing up. Loch kept up his attacks, not stopping, changing the area of impact with each blow. Stomach, chest, sides, shoulders. He tried for the head but the Si-Te-Cah’s arms blocked the blows.

  Loch Activated Smash, the next few blows hitting with more impact. He thought he heard the cracking of bone. Loch could feel his Spirit Reserves dwindling. He was using a lot of power. But he had to, it was the only way. The Si-Te-Cah was too strong. Loch had to keep up the overwhelming force. Hammer strikes slammed into the Si-Te-Cah, who growled in pain. Through the noise of the strikes, Loch could hear a deep humming starting.

  It grew, growing louder, reverberating through the cavern. Loch could feel it, spreading energy through his body. The growling of the Si-Te-Cah grew less, growing quieter. He struggled harder, trying to reach and claw at Loch, who ducked and kept swinging. Blow after blow struck the Si-Te-Cah.

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  The humming filled the cavern, causing it to shake. Small pieces of rock fell, bouncing around the floor. Loch kept up the pressure, feeling strength and energy returning to his strikes. His Spirit Reserves didn’t go up, but they stopped falling. He Activated Smash again, aiming for the Si-Te-Cah’s arm. Hammerhead met elbow, the cracking of bone audible over the humming.

  Roaring in pain, the Si-Te-Cah let out another pulse of energy. It slammed into Loch, pushing at him, but he met it with his own energy.

  Storm’s Touch aura pushed against the Si-Te-Cah’s pulse. Lightning crackling where the two met. Loch Activated Bulwark, but not as an energy shield on his arm. Instead he formed it in front of him, a floating barrier, at its maximum area of coverage. The Si-Te-Cah’s pulse pushed against Bulwark which was strengthened by Storm’s Touch.

  Loch felt a physical impact, knocking him down. Both axes disappeared, Bulwark fading away. He landed hard, a weight pushing down. The Si-Te-Cah had rushed forward, tackling him, reaching for Loch, trying to claw at him. Loch got an arm up between him and the thin but heavy humanoid. He Activated Bulwark. The shield appeared, spikes of energy shooting up and piercing the Si-Te-Cah’s body. The monster roared in pain, blood falling from the wounds.

  Loch rolled to the side, pushing the Si-Te-Cah off him. He felt the weight lift, then saw the monster lifted into the air. Little River Stone grabbed the stunned Si-Te-Cah, throwing the monster against the cavern wall. The whole place shook.

  The Sasquatch didn’t let the Si-Te-Cah go, holding onto the monster’s feet. He swung again, the Si-Te-Cah slammed into the wall again and again, more rocks falling from the ceiling above.

  Loch moved closer, making the two twin axes disappear. He resummoned Onyx, shaping the weapon into a large two handed halberd like weapon. The axe head had shortened, the hammerhead growing bigger. The shaft was long, a couple of feet, giving him more ability to swing the weapon harder.

  “Drop him,” Loch told Little River Stone.

  The Sasquatch lifted the Si-Te-Cah up high, swinging the body down onto the ground. More rocks fell from the ceiling and the walls as the entire cavern shook. Stepping back, Little River Stone started humming again, the sound filling the cavern. Loch could feel it flowing through his body, energizing his Spirit.

  The Si-Te-Cah didn’t move.

  Lifting the large two-handed hammer over his head, Loch swung it down. It slammed into the monster’s chest. Cracking bone filled the cavern, stone exploding up as the hardened body of the Si-Te-Cah cratered the stone beneath him. Lighting crackled from the hammer head and the wound on the Si-Te-Cah’s chest, smoke curling up from the burning robe.

  The monster still moved.

  Loch pulled the hammer up over his head, ready to swing it down.

  The Si-Te-Cah lifted a shaking hand, fingers extending. Loch started to swing Onyx down. The Si-Te-Cah snapped, shaking fingers. A shockwave threw Loch back, sent him tumbling across the cavern floor. Onyx disappeared. Each hit against the ground hurt, even the spots where he wore armor. Loch came to a stop against the far wall, bleeding from cuts and gashes. He pushed himself up, snaps of pain coming from his shoulders and wrists. One of his ankles barely took his weight.

  The Si-Te-Cah was standing, hunched over, one arm hanging at his side. He walked with a heavy limp, almost dragging a foot. Cuts marred the white skin, blood flowing down. The robe was ripped and torn, blackened around the middle where small tendrils still drifted up.

  Little River Stone lay on the ground nearby, unmoving. The Si-Te-Cah limped toward the Sasquatch, raising his good arm, the outstretched fingers growing orange.

  Leaning against the cavern wall, Loch summoned Onyx. Nothing happened. The axe didn’t appear. He felt a sharp pain in his head, reaching up to rub at a giant bruise. Had he hit his head so hard that he couldn’t summon the axe? His Spirit Reserves were low but not that low.

  The Si-Te-Cah reached Little River Stone. Leaning down, he moved the glowing hand closer to the Sasquatch’s head.