Godshards: The Six Strangers

“The Void’s Vessel cannot be stopped. She is coming soon! All will be devoured in her beautiful darknes-” - The last words of a nameless cultist of Morgash, as the executioner brought down his blade.

“Michael, stay in formation!” barked Leo.

The restless recruit glared back at him, bristling with eagerness. He was no older than eighteen winters and acted like it. Leo gave him a steely look. Michael grumbled as he rejoined the ranks.

Leo surveyed his detachment. The soldiers stood firm, four hundred strong. Their pikes glistened, and their black and gold Guardia Grifone livery was displayed beneath their armor. He didn’t know them all yet, but Michael stood out, even if it was for the wrong reasons. Leo adjusted his plumed hat and stood proud and tall. He needed to be an example for his soldiers, after all.

Others regiments flanked Leo’s. All reflections of his own, some with halberds instead of pikes, but all fully ready for their purpose. Behind them, gunners and crossbowmen were readying their rounds. Guarding them were heavily armored soldiers, deploying their pavise shields to form a wall of black and gold, spear points braced and ready. Even further behind them were the bombards. With any luck, they would actually function this time.

Leo looked ahead into the distance, past the grassy plain, where the remnants of Venito stood, decaying wood and terracotta held up like mortar against the newer and fouler hive constructs. Long twisting spires poked through rooftops like sickly fingers clawing at the sky.

Venito had no chance, for the monsters had come in the middle of the night during the birthday celebration of Adam, the First Godshard. It was sacrilege on all of man’s realms, an injustice that could not be ignored. The creatures were merciless, slaughtering countless townsfolk. Thousands more fled. Twelve men in their compagnia died that night.

And the Guardia del Grifone takes care of its own.

Leo cursed the Nameless One and her foul spawn. One day there would be justice; they would see to that. A screech pulled Leo from his thoughts. From on high, a beast landed in front of the assembled host. The impact sent a burst of wind that nearly knocked off Leo’s hat.

Generale Augustino had arrived.

The griffon fidgeted uneasily, and its alabaster wings flapped about. It was a beautiful creature, part eagle and part lion. Its front talons were groomed and well cared for, further enhanced by blades. Scaled lamellar rained down the beast, shimmering from its star-iron make, even on this grey and dreary day. Adorning him over the armor was a tabard of black and gold. This creature was their mascot and one of their greatest weapons.

Augustino himself was a man who had seen many a battle. He wore an expensive suit of armor, black with golden bands. On top of his head was a black bascinet, the rounded shape twisting into a griffon’s snarling face, golden wings spread from each side. His dark hair had flecks of silver, his face rugged with several scars, and his eyes showed stoicism and strength.

“My friends,” he boomed, striding forth with regal grace and a fatherly smile on his lips. “I can see the fear in your eyes. We have many first-timers here today. There is no shame in being afraid. But you are here, all the same; you stand proud amongst the compagnia. That speaks of your courage, and courage is greater than any weapon. To those who are afraid, look around you! Look to your brothers and sisters, your guardie, and know you are not alone! We stand together! We are fury; we are unstoppable, Siamo la Guardia del Grifone!”

A boisterous cheer welled up from the compagnia. Leo felt a twinge of pride in having such a man as their leader.

“For Venito!” exclaimed Michael.

“For Venito!” The rest of the regiment shouted in reply; they were antsy and loose, shaking their weapons eagerly.

“Michael!” shouted Leo. “One more time, and you will be reprimanded. Back in line, you dogs!” Michael rolled his eyes, and the rest scrambled back into place. Leo saw much of himself in the young man’s eyes, which was concerning.

These lot were immature, emotional, and careless. Augustino all but admitted this was a test for him as well. He knew what would happen by putting all the men and women from Venito in the same regiment. They’d fight better, but they would be undisciplined.

Augustino muttered a command in the Old Tongue, and the griffon launched into the air. He looked over at a tall figure who joined their party and said, “Maga Avalon, are you ready?”

“I am,” she said, her voice carrying over the wind despite its softness.

Ah, yes, the most enigmatic guest for this campaign. The Island City insisted that one of their Maghi assist with this mission. Venito held great significance to them as the birthplace of Adam. He heard they had sent one of their best.

In truth, however, Leo had nearly forgotten about her. She had kept to herself the entire journey. The soldier’s ranks parted as she fluttered forward with grace and dignity, towering over the guardie. Her long black robes flowed in the morning breeze, and an ornate black headdress crowned her head. Her eyes were most striking to Leo; they held a faint white glow. There was a fire in them, a passion, something deeper that no mortal gaze could convey.

Leo stood in awe. True, he had met Godshards before. Padre Angelos was a lifelong friend. But she felt different. Perhaps she was closer to the divine, or maybe he was too familiar with the Shards he knew. Padre Angelos said it was rare for Maghi to leave their sanctums after all. That was not their purpose. Whatever the case, he could only stare as she reached the front of the line, right by Leo’s side.

Augustino nodded. “Whenever you’re ready.”

She took a deep breath and nodded. Closing her eyes, she began to chant. It had a rhythm, and Leo could make out certain words. A form of the Old Tongue, most likely.

She brought her hands together; her eyes opened wide, the faint glow in them flaring brighter. Flames conjured from her hands, turning from yellow to white in seconds. Guardie murmured behind her, staring in wonder at the display. Leo felt the fire’s heat, and the flame’s brightness forced him to look away.

With a final word, the flames shot out of her hands like a comet through the night sky. The army could only gawk as the projectile hit the hive. They cheered as flames began to spawn from the impact.

Leo’s regiment, however, became silent. Even Michael looked forlorn. His stare was intense, and he held back tears as the blaze grew. He took off his helmet in mourning, and the others next to him followed suit.

Leo was too amazed to even notice. He was just as enraptured as the rest. Indeed, the magical prowess of the Godshards was as legendary as the old stories claimed.

Many of the guardie couldn’t hide their excitement, and laughter rang out. “Did we even need to form up today? It looks like Maga Avalon did our job for us.”

“Silence in the ranks!” barked Augustino as he gestured toward the hive. “We’re not finished yet!”

A faint rumbling began to reverberate from the hive. It slowly grew louder and louder. The laughter and joy quickly grew silent as they realized what it was.

Buzzing.

Augustino pulled out a signal flag. “Ready the bombards!”

The buzzing got louder and louder. Icy dread hung thick in the air. Michael and the others quickly put their helmets back on. The bravado in the regiment doubled; they were eager, even as fear gripped their hearts.

The monstrous bugs burst out of the hive like a jagged fanged hurricane. The sight was revolting upon the assembled forces. Eyes widened, and jaws dropped in horror, especially to those who had never seen creatures like this before.

These were no ordinary bees or wasps. The dread-wasps were of monstrous size; each one dwarfed a man. They were a perversion of nature and the creatures created by the Gods. The fires caught many of the monstrous bugs. The smoke disoriented them, even as they poured out of the hive. They shrieked in agony; their many arms flailed violently. Others fell to the ground, writhing around as they burned alive.

Augustino brought down his flag at last. A flash of fire and smoke answered in reply. The cannons roared to life, crushing heavy lead into the hive and smashing honeycombs and foul bugs alike. The barrage sent several enormous spires crashing down, sowing further destruction upon the hive and its occupants. Dust and ash rose from the ruins and blocked out the sun. Leo could hear distant calls for reloading behind him.

In the tumult, the buzzing grew louder and angrier. More and more dread-wasps fluttered into the air, a black cloud forming from their sheer numbers. “May the Gods protect us,” a distraught soldier cried.

As the dust settled, the creatures looked around. Their compound eyes spotted the group, and the constant buzzing went feral. They bolted at full speed with their insectoid wings toward the humans.

A loud boom rang out as the first row of gunners fired their shots. They ducked down for the second row to fire and then the row after that. Waves of thunder reverberated in the air. The noise drowned out even the buzzing and chittering of the bugs. Many guardsmen plugged their ears as the noise became unbearable. Whistling joined the chorus of sound as the crossbowmen shot their bolts, piercing many creatures that the guns missed. Hundreds fell, torn asunder by the barrage. There were so many that it was all but impossible to miss one.

Yet still more came.

Leo drew his greatsword and put his arm up. “On my order. Steady!”

The insects’ compound eyes look upon the soldiers with wanton hunger. Mandibles chitter with evil excitement, drooling from their fanged maws. Many recruits whimpered, and others looked behind them, weighing their options, considering desertion over death.

“Steady!”

Comforting faces and steely eyes from the veterans kept all disorder in check. They were in this together, and they would survive together. In the front rank, Michael gave a grim smirk.

“Now!”

The pikemen lowered their weapons as one, like a sharp metal curtain. The swarm crashed right into it and melted in an explosion of ichor. Hundreds died instantly, their shriveled-up corpses falling gently to the ground. The collision shoved the whole formation back by sheer momentum. Soldiers struggled to keep their footing, and some fell over in the front. “Hold your ground!” ordered Leo.

Still more dread-wasps launched themselves at the soldiers. Pikes snapped under the pressure, and guardie drew swords. The horde descended on them like an enveloping black cloud. The dread-wasps were fast. They floated just out of sword reach before striking at the right moment.

One wrong move and soldiers died.

Leo was eagle-eyed; he lost count of how many he had slain. One fluttered right at him. He stabbed it between the eyes, its stinger inches from his throat. Another tried to scratch at him from behind with its venomous claws; Leo dodged the strikes before swinging the blade overhead. The now limbless creature fell to the ground. Leo finished it swiftly with a boot to its face.

He looked around. A gunner was too slow to draw his sword and was stabbed in the throat by a stinger. The man choked on foam and blood before keeling over dead. A halberdier couldn’t avoid getting surrounded by a cluster of dread-wasps, which pierced him from four angles. The persistent buzzing tuned out his death gurgle. Another was stabbed in the eyes by the long, crooked mandibles of a dread-wasp, the poor soldier returning the favor before both combatants fell dead.

Michael was wild-eyed. A monstrous bug rushed him, but his pike skewered it with ease. The stab had been one too many; the pike broke into pieces. Michael hurriedly drew his sword, but he was not fast enough. Another bug barreled into him, the lean form knocking him to the ground. It raised its abdomen, an ugly red and black appendage with a nasty barbed stinger. It dripped venom, ready to strike. Michael looked up in horror; he had no time left. Ichor splashed his face.

A swift sword strike decapitated the marauding bug.

“Get up!” Leo pulled Michael to his feet, still in a daze. “The fight’s not over, ragazzo.” He shook him, snapping the boy out of his stupor. Michael nodded and drew his sword.

Maga Avalon was also playing her part, and Leo was most pleased. After another string of chants, she conjured a red lightning bolt, frying a score of dread-wasps, incinerating them to ashes, and setting Leo’s hair on edge. A dozen foul monsters zoomed at her in response, only to be vaporized when they got too close. A barrier kept her safe, lighting up the area with a blue glow. The impact still hit hard, and she fell to the ground. Leo moved through the chaos and helped her up.

The Godshard stared intently at Leo as if actually seeing him for the first time. Her head tilted as she regarded him curiously.

Leo didn’t notice her examination and nodded once he saw she was okay. He still had a battle to win. The center under Leo became the bedrock of the entire formation, and inch by bloody inch, they started to push the monsters back.

Up in the air, Augustino slew dread-wasps left and right. His mace pummeled the bugs out of the sky, their heads crushed in and their abdomens pulverized into toxic muck. His enchanted shield clanged like a cymbal due to the sheer volume of fruitless stings. His griffon fought, too, matching the ferocity of the dread-wasps and returning it in kind. Its bladed claws tore monstrous bugs to shreds, tearing the wings off one and biting the head off another.

Finally, the dread-wasps retreated, inelegantly ceasing the attack and fleeing in all directions, dispersing like fading storm clouds. Surviving gunners and crossbowmen aimed their weapons, sniping bugs out of the sky. Their corpses fell to the ground like distant raindrops.

The survivors cheered, and Leo breathed a sigh of relief. He looked around; men were groaning in pain, and their wounded were many. Blood and viscous fluids ran around the bodies, the heavier black gruel smudged in pools of red, puddling around the feet of the survivors. It was the dreary butcher’s bill, a sight Leo had grown numb to.

With heavy breaths, Leo slowly trudged to Michael, who was kneeling by a dying soldier. Leo knelt to take a closer look at his wounds. Long red gashes trailed across his skin, his armor torn asunder by the relentless attack. Michael held his hand, despite his trembling and sweat. His eyes were sunken, distraught at the sight. The bluster and brashness in them were gone.

Mercifully, the wounded man stilled.

“May the Great Shepard guide him home,” said Michael.

“And may his trek in the River be peaceful,” finished Leo as he closed the man’s eyes.

Augustino landed in front of his forces triumphant. Leo was on his feet in an instant.

“We did it, everyone,” proclaimed Augustino. “We have liberated Venito, and the wretched spawns broken. Now we can let the fire finish the job, and then the people of this town can rebuild.” Maga Avalon was now beside him, and Augustino turned to her. “The Town of Adam has been saved; I’m sure your sacerdozio will be very pleased.”

“This isn’t over,” said Maga Avalon, concern written on her face.

Augustino’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? The bugs are gone, and the hive is in flames.”

She pointed to the still-burning hive. “You shouldn’t have had to fight at all. The hive should have been nothing but ashes the moment the fireball struck. The spell didn’t work as intended. This is concerning.”

The army burst into laughter. Life entered Michael’s eyes again, Leo gave a bemused smirk, and even Augustino was amused as he chided her. “Maga Avalon, it was sufficient. You need not worry about us. We’re soldiers, and this is what we do. There is no shame here. Why do you think Venito hired us in the first place?”

The laughter grew louder and louder, and even Leo began to chuckle. Maga Avalon’s eyes glowed brighter and narrowed as they stared directly at Augustino.

“Silence in the ranks!” blurted Augustino. Maga Avalon nodded as the army calmed down. “What is it that you want then?”

“I would like to investigate the hive to see if there’s anything out of the ordinary.”

He raised an eyebrow. “That is a tall order, Avella. I have wounded men to tend to and dead to bury.”

“I am capable of defending myself.” Her eyes looked over the compagnia before falling squarely onto Leo. He felt uneasy under her gaze. “All I ask is for a regiment in case something goes wrong. The Island City will pay you the difference.”

Augustino sighed. “You’re serious, aren’t you? Very well, one regiment, take your pick.”

She pointed at Leo. “I’ll take his. What is your name, Signore?”

Leo stood up straight. “Capitano Leo, Signora.”

She gave a polite grin and said, “Maga will do. Please follow me.”

Augustino nodded. “We will await you at the camp. As for the rest of you, let’s get the wounded to my darling Julia, and then we’ll see to burying the dead.”

The griffon took to the sky and flew away. Leo trailed behind Avella, his regiment rushing to keep pace as she took to flight halfway through the order.

“Come on, men! Hurry up!” Leo hid his apprehension. This was new, even for him. Never had he gotten so close to a dread-wasp hive.

He wished it had stayed that way.

The group was hit by an ungodly smell as they approached—a mix of rotting flesh and burning honey. There was an aura coming off the gnarly honeycombs that made Leo nauseous. He struggled not to gag, and he wasn’t alone. If Avella felt sick or afraid, she didn’t show it, though; she pressed ahead, glowing eyes fixated on the hive.

They approached the hive wall. Leo squinted as he looked over the structure. It was impossible to tell where the foul edifice began and wooded building ended. And with the lingering flames, the whole thing was melting; red slime and gruel dripped onto the ground.

She placed her hand on the hive wall. Her eyes glowed, and she began to chant another spell. Grime and filth melted away at her touch, rippling out until the whole wall shook. Cracks appeared, and in moments, they broke into pieces. The fragments fell, causing the group to scatter. Leo hit the ground, his armor soiled in the mud as he rolled. Michael coughed as he barely dodged a large piece of timber, dust still clouding his face.

Leo rushed to his feet. He was about to call for Avella until he saw her glowing eyes in the dark. The luminous blue barrier protected her, the debris sliding off her harmlessly. She wasn’t kidding when she said she could handle herself. Leo could respect that.

The town opened up like a giant rotting cadaver. Guardie covered their mouths so as not to vomit from the disgusting odor. The ruins were shrouded in darkness, only lit up by the distant yellow glow of the fires. The original buildings were halfway into the mud, pressed down by the heavier hive structures.

Leo turned to his regiment. “Whatever you do, do not touch anything,” his voice struggled to maintain the facade of bravery. “Tread carefully, and tread lightly.” Taking a deep breath, the group entered the hive.

They waded through the mire, plopping on the damp cobblestone. Leo looked around. It may have been a market square. Rotting storefronts lined the area like tombstones, their shelves caked in dust.

In the back, a great stone fountain stood. The water within was poisoned and black. A large dread-wasp was atop it in a parody of a statue. It was much bigger than any of the others they’d encountered and folded into a ball. Large swathes of its flesh were blackened, and ichor bled into the pool. Terror turned to relief when they realized it was dead.

As they turned the corner, one of the market stalls stood out to Michael. It was small and relatively modest; some of the paint on the sign had chipped off, and only part of the lettering could be made out: Negozio di fiori.

A body lay on the floor. Michael’s eyes widened, and he rushed toward it.

Leo grumbled as he saw the young man break ranks. He was about to chastise him. A hand on his shoulder gently stopped him. He turned to see Avella, her face softer than before.

“Wait.”

Michael knelt and examined the body. It had been decaying for some time, flies were buzzing about, and the ribcage and thigh bones were exposed. Stinger wounds had penetrated the back and neck. Michael broke down into tears, not caring if anyone was watching him. Leo tilted his head; what would cause him to break down so? He would never do that; it’s unprofessional. The only time he cracked was ten years ago. In the village of Venci, when he and his broth— Oh.

He was Michael’s brother.

The storefront was his family’s—a lost brother. Leo took off his hat. He saw more and more of himself in the ragazzo by the minute. At least this ended better than Venci. Leo suppressed a shudder.

Michael looked up at Leo with tear-stained eyes, expecting him to yell or reprimand him.

Leo sighed. He couldn’t bring himself to do that. He gestured for him to get back in line. Michael gently laid the body down and rejoined the others. It was misery being here; such a mess was indeed beyond saving. No doubt, Avella wanted this place to turn into ash. It would be better to build from scratch.

“What are we looking for, Maga Avalon?” asked Leo, his voice worn to exhaustion.

She eyed him curiously. “Something’s off. There’s a presence here that makes little sense.”

“How so?”

“I can’t explain it; it’s not something you can feel.” She gestured to her eyes. “Soulsight. I can see, know, and feel things other mortals wouldn’t be able to. And no, you cannot help me more than you are.” Leo grumbled. “Patience Capitano, surely you are capable of that with the . . .” Her stare intensified for a moment. “. . . three years of service?”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “That’s right. How did you—”

“Soulsight.” Avella dragged her hand by the hive wall. “We will be done here shortly; do not fret.” Her spell caused the bastion to tremble. Pieces broke off, the fallen honeycombs bouncing off her barrier. “Something’s very wrong. It’s on the wall; I just need to pinpoint it.”

At last, her hand stilled. A piece of the hive wall broke off, hovering in her hand. She dragged it closer. Leo couldn’t see what she was looking at; he could only hear her gasp as she jumped back. “Impossible!”

“Everything alright?” asked Leo.

“Signore! Over there!” A soldier whimpered, white-faced as he pointed in the distance. Leo followed his finger right to the dread-wasp on the fountain. Its many limbs were twitching. The burnt flesh was beginning to heal; the open wounds now closed.

The creature stood up and flexed its wings before they draped over its shoulders like a robe. It turned to face them, four times the height of a man. Its face was more humanoid, with solid black eyes glittering with malice and feral rage. Its teeth gritted in anger. A subtle stubble of horns formed a mockery of a crown upon its head.

Avella’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a dread-wasp princess.”

“Fall back!” ordered Leo. The dread-wasp leaped into the air and flew at them at breakneck speed. In moments it caught up to them. Blood splattered everywhere as guardie disappeared into red mist. Two guardie were impaled and dragged up into the air. They screamed in terror as many twisted limbs grabbed hold of them before ripping them to pieces.

“We got to get to camp!” shouted Leo.

Michael trembled. “We’ll never get there in time, Capitano. The creature’s too fast.” Leo hated that he was right.

Avella rushed ahead. “I can get there quicker. You need to keep her busy. I’ll be back.”

Leo was incredulous. “What?”

She muttered an incantation before hovering into the air and flying away. Leo had no time even to ponder what she had just done.

“She’s coming around again!” shouted a soldier. The dread-wasp princess dived at them.

“Hit the deck!” ordered Leo.

They hit the ground hard. Mud splashed everywhere, turning the black and gold livery of the guardsmen brown. Chitinous limbs and stingers hovered over them, inches away from their prone forms. As quick as she came, she was gone.

“On your feet,” barked Leo. “Move!” He could see the opening. Light and clean air awaited them.

“Look out!” shouted Michael. Leo turned to see the princess swooping by again. She was moving quicker than before. Time slowed down, and Leo could see himself reflected in her wicked black eyes.

A stab in the side broke off her attack. Michael’s sword hit home, bleeding fresh fluids as she retreated into the air, squeaking in pain.

Michael smirked. “Glad I got to return the favor, Capitano.”

Leo’s stern demeanor wrapped around his gratefulness like a cloak. “Don’t get cocky, ragazzo. We’re almost there. Keep going!”

With a final effort, they pushed out of the hive. The light blinded them, and they nearly tripped over each other. Leo slipped in the mud, nearly toppling over. They stopped to catch their breath, their lungs welcoming the clean air.

A loud shriek violated the air, and the princess broke through the hive roof in a cloud of dust, surging down toward them. Leo dodged the attack just in time, slicing off one of her insectoid limbs. The monster’s stinger-like tail lashed like a whip, whistling as it hit Leo in the chest. The wind was knocked out of him as he hit the ground. Leo gasped; his chest felt like it was burning. He looked up, vision blurry as the massive stinger reeled over him, ready to strike.

A loud screech gave the creature pause. Augustino landed right next to him. Leo had never been happier to see that griffon. Michael pulled Leo to his feet. Avella landed nearby, and she gestured them to her.

Augustino pointed his weapon at the beast. “Your fight is with me!” The twisted creature shrieked loudly in reply. The two clashed. The impact sent a shockwave that would have knocked Leo off his feet if he hadn’t been under Avella’s barrier.

Augustino bludgeoned the chitinous form over and over, breaking off more limbs. The dread-wasp princess kicked in desperation, only to have her movements blocked by the shield, the impact causing Augustino to wince. The griffon’s beak locked with the monster’s long mandibles. Its long talons tried to get purchase with her chitinous form. But even wounded, the creature dodged the swipes with ease. As her stinger attempted to pierce the griffon, pieces of metal broke off with every stab, the armor denting more and more.

Augustino whispered to the griffon, and it pulled away. The princess was quick to follow. Muttering a brief prayer, Augustino leapt off the saddle and latched onto the neck and shoulders of the monster.

Mace in hand, Augustino slammed the weapon into the creature’s neck repeatedly, causing ichor to spill everywhere. The long stinger tried to stab him, but Augustino quickly dodged every jab. He smirked, preparing for the final blow, placing himself right in front of her neck. He would need to be quick.

With a final desperate attack, the creature shoved its stinger with all its might. Augustino dodged just in time, the wind blowing in his face as he jumped off and back onto the waiting griffon below. The princess wailed in agony, convulsing violently, her stinger jabbing into her neck. She fell to the earth in an explosion of dirt, dead for good.

Everyone cheered. Michael stood in wide-eyed admiration. Leo smirked, remembering when he’d first seen their generale kill some great beast. Many things become numb or lose appeal after a while, but seeing their generale in action never got old. Indeed, he was one of the greatest warriors the Cradlelands had ever known, up there with the imperial commanders of old or the greatest of the Godshards.

Avella examined the body. Her eyes narrowed. “I sense the same anomaly.” She grasped one of the limbs. “Indeed, it is as I feared.”

Leo couldn’t see what she was doing. He was still trying to catch his breath. By the Gods, did that blow hurt. He looked down at his armor; a significant dent was arrayed on it that wasn’t there before. He groaned; he was definitely going to have to see Julia. All the guardie knew Mama Julia had the best remedies.

Avella looked up. “Emilio, could you assist me?” Augustino tilted his head and dismounted. She gestured to the leg. “I need this detached.” He snapped the leg off with a sickening crack.

The yellow flames around the hive grew brighter, rekindling seemingly on their own. Leo could feel the heat. They had to get out of there fast and fell back without a word. He turned around to see Avella staring at the encroaching blaze. The flames outlined her black-robed form. She shook her head and followed them, the severed leg of the princess in hand.

Leo didn’t understand why she was so worried. But after Avella basically abandoned them, he didn’t even care that she wasn’t happy. She did come back, but there was no way to know if she would have been back in time. Things could have gone differently and such poor communication was sloppy and dangerous Nevertheless, Leo knew one thing for sure.

They had broken the foul power over the town. That would suffice.