“Curtis beware! You are fighting an avatar of the Leviathan.” He said, sensing the man turned dragon was already engaged in battle. Stephen knew there was little he could do until he was finished with the Leviathan in his grasp. There was little left of the quantum in Maher’s mind, but Stephen drove deeper divining as much information from the quantum as possible. When there was only the faintest whisper of the quantum remaining Stephen snuffed out its life, leaving the body once known as Maher empty. Stephen remained in Maher’s mind seeking any glimmer of the human that had once occupied the body. He found nothing. Stephen finished encasing the body in nanids and then allowed it to gently fall to the ground. As he stood he felt his grief surge once more bringing rage with it. As it tore through him the quantum he had become responded in kind. A moment later Stephen Fore became the avatar of death tearing through the battle field systematically destroying the Leviathan’s army.

  SEVENTEEN

  The sound of the battle at the wall was a distant clamor as Curtis stood amid the conflict to counter the Leviathan’s second army. Owen and the other soldiers were working together to contain the horde at the shore, while Curtis faced the monster the wolf became. The transformation was finished leaving the monster standing on two feet slowly circling Curtis while looking for an opportunity to attack. The creature was still covered with black fur, but Curtis could see the musculature underneath rippling as it moved. The body was utterly human, but much larger. The beast’s head easily rose to the height of Curtis shoulder in his new form. The head had changed slightly maintaining the vulpine features with only the snout drawing back slightly to reveal more of its gleaming teeth, which promised death for anything that found itself in their grip. The two had already exchanged blows several times, each only inflicting minor damage which quickly healed. Curtis carefully turned while the mutated wolf continued its circuit looking for an opportunity. As he lowered his reptilian head, his silver eyes focused on the creature trying to predict its next attack. He slashed his tail back a forth keeping the needle-sharp tip ready to strike. The Leviathan’s creature watched his movements not slowing its pace. Curtis knew they were closely matched and the battle would be long and bloody. It would only end when one of them made an error. Owen and several of the soldiers were close by driving the horde away from the two combatants. Owen’s swords weaved together endlessly in a carefully coordinated dance seeking the death of the corrupt creatures. Curtis was thankful knowing the fight would be much more difficult if the other creatures attacked. He knew that Owen and his group would not stop all the creatures attempting to enter the settlement but would hopefully keep the bulk from entering and overwhelming the remaining defenses. Curtis shook the thought away knowing it was dangerous to lose focus.

  Curtis studied the wolf creature trying to find an advantage. Its hands and feet were tipped with long black claws that curled to sharpened points. He already knew the sting of them and hoped to avoid any further contact with them. As he studied the creature he was reminded of the old myth of werewolves. Humans who had been infected with a virus which turned them into raging, blood thirsty wolf like creatures who would terrorize the populace killing and maiming until they were finally slain. A lycanthrope. Only this was in reverse. The wolf had become a man. Curtis felt revulsion rise at what the Leviathan strain was capable of doing. A growl issued from the werewolf as it lowered into a crouch. Curtis sensed the attack a moment before it came. The creature lunged at his exposed side attempting to strike his front shoulder. Curtis leapt back striking out with his tail’s needle tip seeking the monstrosity. The wolf lunged forward avoiding the tail and became a blur as it revealed its true attack. It streaked forward lunging toward Curtis’ neck. Curtis recoiled but was too slow. The clawed hands dug into his scale covered neck seeking to drive deeply into it. Curtis reared up rising on his back legs trying to dislodge the creature, while a roar of anger and pain erupted from him. The wolf held true waiting for its opportunity. Curtis knew he had to free himself from the grip or he would not survive. With a thought he engaged Wren’s nanids attempting to rise into the air. Nothing happened. Curtis spun trying to whip free, but the wolf stayed secure. A moment later Curtis felt it gather its strength pulling forward, its canine mouth opening wide as it sought the veins pulsing in his throat. Curtis knew it was too late. He prepared for the impact and subsequent pain, but none came. Craning his neck, he stared down at the monstrosity gripping his neck and throat. The wolf’s teeth had not found their target but gnashed harmlessly against an unseen force. Curtis mirrored the look of surprise on his opponent’s lupine face. The nanids had protected him independent of his direction manifesting a new power to protect him. Curtis did not wait to consider the implications of the new power and instead seized on the wolf’s surprise. Twisting around so he was looking at the wolf clinging to the lower portion of his neck he exhaled nanid fire knowing the beast would either be forced to let go or be seriously wounded. The wolf saw the fire emerge and released its grip rolling away from the fire. It quickly rose and leapt back as Curtis’ barbed tail impacted the ground where it had been. Curtis glared at the beast waiting for its next attack. He could feel the wounds from its clawed hands quickly healing. Curtis glanced around, careful to keep the wolf in his vision. The battle was raging all around him. The horde was continuing to spread despite the human’s efforts. Anger bloomed in him but was quickly overwhelmed by a connection driving into his mind.

  “Curtis, beware! You are fighting an avatar of the Leviathan.” Stephen Fore shouted the warning into his mind. Curtis stared at the beast in front of him. He was fighting the quantum. Dread filled him. The program responsible for his corruption was in control of the massive beast in front of him. The fight would be to the death and Curtis was not sure if he would be the victor. Dread faded as fresh anger bloomed within him. The Leviathan had caused so much suffering and was now expanding its influence even further. He would have to end this soon, otherwise the cunning program would defeat him. His anger peaked at the thought of failure. Curtis knew the Leviathan would outmatch him since its control of the strain was lending it abilities and speed that Curtis could not match. Curtis studied the hulking black creature trying to divine its intent. He did not have to wait long. The Leviathan sped forward becoming a blur as it drew close. Curtis did not even think, he just reacted. With a powerful push he launched himself in the air unfurling his wings while engaging the nanid field that helped buoy him in the air. As he rose in the air the Leviathan passed harmlessly underneath him, caught off guard by the maneuver. Curtis began to rise higher in the air as the Leviathan skidded to a stop on the ground below. Curtis turned in the air facing it as it gathered itself. In a split second it launched itself in the air seeking his throat once more. Curtis was prepared this time. As the quantum possessed wolf streaked toward him with claws seeking his death, it met the massive clawed fore feet of Curtis Reynolds. He seized the beast, one clawed appendage wrapping around its right shoulder his black claws digging deeply into its chest and back. The other secured its left arm, Curtis’ claws driving into the muscle and scraping against the bone buried deep under the wolf’s flesh. The beast howled in rage and pain. Curtis did not hesitate, beating his massive wings causing them to rise higher into the air. The Leviathan sensed its predicament and tried to attack with its free arm but could not penetrate the scaled skin of his dragon like foe. Curtis ignored the attacks rising faster despite the increase in weight. A moment later pain bloomed in his chest. Glancing down he saw the clawed feet of the Leviathan slashing at his chest as it arched its body to inflict any damage it could. Curtis growled a deep rumble and signaled his nanids urging them to engage the shield. Instantly the Leviathan met the invisible barrier once more. Curtis rose ever higher as the humans and mutated creatures quickly became specks below him. The Leviathan released a bitter howl and then went silent. An instant later Curtis’ mind exploded as the Leviathan pushed into it.

  Pain lanced through his mind as the quantum attempted to seize control of him. Curtis fought back pushing hard to eject the quantum. Moments passed as they fought in the field of Curtis’ mind. As they continued rising, Curtis maintained control of his body and nanids, but he did not know for how long. His rage emerged anew with the attack of the quantum. He could feel the twisted creature seeking a way deeper into his mind attempting to subvert him. Curtis met the threat with a solid wall but knew it would only be temporary. He needed to find a way to break the connection. The answer came a moment later. It was simple. Curtis let go. One moment the Leviathan was secure in his grasp and the next it was falling away from him accelerating toward the ground. The growing distance weakened its presence in his mind and with a final focused push Curtis’ mind was his once more.

  Curtis spun in the air halting his rise and watched the Leviathan’s avatar fall away from him. They had been well over five hundred feet in the air, but Curtis suspected the Leviathan could survive the fall. Without another thought Curtis disengaged from the nanid field and dove becoming a silver streak racing to catch the falling wolf turned man. The air streaked by his head and around his body flowing past his wings making a dull keen that reminded him of the sound of an airship pushed past its max. He was drawing closer to the Leviathan but would not intercept it before it struck the ground. Curtis felt the anger that had built over years return. He recalled everything he had lost his humanity, his life, and Wren. Grief at the loss surged through his mind feeding his rage. Below him the Leviathan impacted into the dry ground throwing a small cloud of dust into the air. Curtis tried to fall faster by streamlining his body as much as possible. The Earth drew closer and at the last second, he spread his wings catching the air to slow his body. He engaged the nanid field to slow him more while simultaneously forming a shield under his vast bulk. Curtis struck the ground where the Leviathan had fallen with as much force as he could without harming himself. Still the momentum of his fall was enough that it threw dust far into the air and shook the ground for hundreds of feet. Curtis felt pain lance through his body at the impact as weakness passed through him threatening to steal his consciousness. He fought back knowing it would be his death. Shaking his reptilian head, he roared as his anger drove the weakness away as his breath forced the dry dust away from his body. Curtis looked down at the ground below him to survey the fate of the Leviathan. The creature was driven into the ground where its body was twisted and deformed from the impact and subsequent strike by Curtis. Curtis was stunned to find it glaring at him through his shield. Even with all the damage it had sustained it still sought his death. It tried to snarl, but was cut short, the ground around it and the shield above it preventing it from drawing a full breath. Curtis sensed it probe his mind seeking a connection. His rage which had sustained him in the battle broke free at last. He lowered his head bringing his eyes even with the Leviathan’s avatar. His reptilian lips drew back revealing razor-sharp teeth with needle tips. Curtis dropped the shield around the Leviathan’s head holding the rest in place.

  “You die!” he roared as his great mouth opened and nanid fire lanced out driving into the Leviathan’s flesh and bone. Curtis watched as the fire seared the fur from the wolf like face and began to burn the flesh below. The Leviathan’s avatar thrashed its head unable to escape the flames. The smell of burning flesh rose to Curtis’ nostrils. Revulsion coursed through him, but he continued undeterred. Soon the heat from the flames penetrated the flesh revealing quickly charring bone beneath. The Leviathan ceased thrashing, death coming to it as the flames destroyed the creature’s brain. Curtis maintained the flame until the skull collapsed leaving nothing for the Leviathan to inhabit. Only then did he allow the flames to cease. The Leviathan had been stopped. Curtis rose feeling unsteady from the impact. He turned surveying the area. The remaining horde was out of control. With the loss of their master the mutated humans and animals became completely feral. There was no coordination or plan, just blood lust and rage. The humans were swiftly taking the upper hand in the battle, as the connection given them by the Earth’s nanids allowed them to quickly dispatch the remnants of the Leviathan’s army.

  Curtis felt pity rise in him. The creatures did not deserve their fate. Anger bubbled within him again. He pushed it away knowing its time was past. He had fulfilled his duty here and knew the humans would handle the remaining creatures. With a great groan he launched himself into the air. As he rose into the air he turned toward the wall in the distance. Without a thought he pushed himself forward with his great wings, dull pain lancing through him. He needed to rest but that would come later, first he had to determine the fate of the Fores.

  The screams of the wounded and dying continued to rise around Daniel. The battle had spanned hours even with the loss of the Leviathan’s avatars. The strain infected creatures were hard to wound and even harder to kill. Even now Holt’s drones and several contingents of humans were scouring the settlement and surrounding city seeking the few remaining minions of the rogue quantum. He hoped they had found them all, even while knowing there would probably be some that were missed. He wondered if the Earth would ever be cleansed of the dreadful tech. He felt the weight of his years return despite the Earth’s nanids Stephen had given him. His age was his and no amount of technology would change that. He knew there was nothing that could take away the burden of time. Daniel stood at the break in the wall looking down on the settlement. Carnage was everywhere. Dark blood spread across the ancient streets and pathways staining them and tainting the good the humans had been doing in Seattle. The remaining humans moved about the area eerily quiet after the pitched battle. He felt sadness descend upon him. As their leader he should have been able to shield them from this. He watched as his people tended to the wounded and moved through the fallen enemy ensuring death had found each of the twisted creatures. As his eyes swept the settlement they settled on the man who had saved them. Stephen Fore was kneeling at the edge of the battle stained ground accompanied by Kelly Holt. They were staring intently at something on the ground. Daniel felt doubt creep into him and made his way to the pair, stepping carefully through the carnage surrounding him.

  “Stephen?” he queried as he drew up to the man whose green robes were ceaselessly swirling around him. Daniel found it hard to look at, the constant motion not allowing him to focus. Stephen did not reply, but simply held up a hand indicating Daniel should wait. Daniel stepped forward to see the cause of the pair’s intense focus. As he looked over the man’s shoulder he felt his fear rise. Stephen had one of the Leviathan’s avian minions pinned to the ground with his nanid robes. The technology held the creature in place without harming it. Daniel felt alarm slowly ebb through him. The creature reminded him of a crow but much larger. The black eyes were not moving, and the creature did not struggle. Daniel wondered if it were even alive.

  “Stephen, I must insist you tell me what is happening,” he said, the many years as a leader putting steel in his words. The man ignored him. Anger leapt in his mind at the impertinence. He knew there was little he could do, but knew he had to keep the best interest of the settlement at the forefront of his dealing with the Fore family. A moment later the robes retracted freeing the dark feathered bird. Stephen rose observing the creature as it lay on the ground. Holt stepped next to the two men staring at the bird as if waiting for something. Daniel shook his head confused by what was transpiring. Then without warning the bird stirred wings flapping loudly as it came back to life. In a moment it righted itself rising to its feet. Without pause it launched itself into the air winging rapidly higher. Daniel felt his frustration peak and he spun staring at Stephen.

  “What did you do?” he asked, not understanding why Stephen would let one of the minions fly free. Stephen stared at him, his dark eyes holding Daniels. Daniel felt the weight of the man’s gaze and sensed the power behind it but did not shrink from it. These were his people and his settlement, he would stand for them no matter what. Stephen held his gaze as if testing his resolve then shifted his eyes to the quickly fading creature.

  “We have given humanity a chance,” Stephen said without looking at Daniel. Daniel again felt confusion surge through him.

  “A chance for what?” he asked, trying to understand what the man was doing. Stephen returned his gaze to Daniel, his eyes now filled with fierce determination.

  “A chance to take the battle to the Leviathan. A chance to destroy what Nathan Landis created so long ago,” Stephen replied, his voice cold and filled with determination. The man then turned striding toward the main building of the settlement. Daniel watched him walk away and Holt moved next to him. He glanced at her and saw the same determination in her eyes. She patted him on the shoulder before following Stephen.

  “Come on,” she called back to him. “There is not much time.” Daniel followed reluctantly knowing there was still much to discover about Stephen Fore.

  From its vantage on the roof of the building adjacent the settlement ODIN watched the humans beginning to recover from the Leviathan’s attack. It studied the movements paying attention to Stephen and Simon Fore. Both men were formidable foes, but the winged creature that appeared had turned the tide. It turned its gaze to the creature as it rested, covered in silver scales with a reptilian appearance showing that the beast was obviously tainted by a nanid strain. ODIN was unsure which strain. It was unlike anything it had seen, resembling human myths from long ago. It knew there was an explanation, but the answer eluded it. ODIN felt frustration bubble within it. Human emotions were still present within it despite the quantums influence. It stifled the emotion, pulling its gaze from the hulking beast as it sensed movement from Stephen Fore.

 

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