The Codex Chapter 8: Puppetmaster

Story by Jax Crowley on SoFurry

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#8 of The Codex

Where anger wins the battle.


Scy dodged to the side as the long blood veins rushed his way, turning around while throwing his blades, cutting the veins in half. Jax growled heavily while new veins grew in place, standing on his feet with bent knees. "Hehe, it is time to meet your maker!" Jax growled out before howling, jumping towards Scy while the veins lunged forward like sharp blades. Scy holding tightly onto his ropes, spinning his blades around to deflect the incoming veins.

Scy huffed out, the battle starting to have effect on his fatigue whilst the jackal landed right in front of him. Sharp claws were flung forwards, scratching into the dragon iguana while Scy quickly punched the jackal in his stomach. Jax didn't flinch, growling loud into Scy's face before flinging his claw forward to push the dragon iguana back. Scy stumbled before rolling back, sitting on his knees to see how Jax began floating again, his claws put together while his eyes were closed.

The pale skin started to show more veins, pumping blood upwards as the jackal opened his maw, blood gushed out on the ground in front of him. The blood started to become solid, forming a figure as Jax flung his long stretched arms upwards, blood veins shooting out towards the figure that connected the two. The figure started to dangle as it was lifted up slightly, the jackal moving his claws to control the puppet to make it rush towards Scy.

Scy saw the blood puppet and got up, unsheathing his flame pistol to aim at the incoming puppet. He held his finger on the trigger, feeling the energy build up, the puppet started to form a thorn barrier around itself as the jackal chanted words. "Your maker wants to demolish you!" Jax said while the dragon iguana shook his head "Over my dead body!" he said, finger released from the trigger to launch a blast of fire towards the puppet.

A direct hit cause the puppet to splatter open, blood gushing everywhere as the jackal narrowed his eyes at the sight, his veins retracting into his claws. "Your dead body is mine anyway" he spoke, a finger flicking up. Scy saw how the blood around him started to become solid, thorns shooting up while letting out a groan as he felt how a thorn pushed into his side. Looking down to see he had blood from the puppet at his side, using his paw to pull the thorn out.

He then noticed he was now vulnerable to blood magic, seeing the deformed jackal grin wide before crossing his arms in front of him while jumping up. A magic barrier appeared around him while his tail started to grow longer, feeling muscle and bones stretch out. The tip became flimsy sharp while the barrier shattered again. The jackal high in the air while his tail started to lunge towards Scy.

Scy spun his short sword in his paw, feeling the tail crash into his blade, deflecting it backwards. Jax laughed, his tail quickly recovering from the deflection, lunging forwards once more as it wrapped around the short sword. The dragon iguana felt a strong tug before the tail knew to take over the blade, Scy quickly using his long sword as the tail thrusted his own blade towards him. Sound of clashing metal was heard while the tail kept thrusting forward.

Jax crossed his claws while closing his eyes, the tip of his tail glowing before it threw the sword into the ground, letting it get stuck into the dirt while quickly flying towards Scy's others sword. The glowing tip extended and took the form of a blade, letting is collide against Scy's long sword. Scy got himself in a more defensive position as he felt the strong clashed with the enemy blade.

The deformed jackal was floating idly in mid-air while his tail was moving on its own accord, thrusting and slashing towards Scy while trying to bring him off balance. The dragon iguana however had enough fighting experience by now to know what defensive stance to use while deflecting the mighty swings of the tail. "Scy!" Darvo said while running down the battling duo, cutting in by jumping next to Scy, using his large blade to push the tail away.

Darvo tugged on the short sword, pulling it out of the earth while nodding towards his partner. Darvo began to spin Scy's rope, letting the short blade spin in the air while Scy did the same with his long blade. The ropes started to coil around each other as Darvo let go, Scy taking over by swinging both blades in the same rhythm around to create a wind shield.

Darvo raised his claw, creating a gust of wind that made the blades spin faster, creating a resonating sound of blowing wind. Their enemy slowly opened his eyes while his tail coiled around himself, the barrier fading while his eyes started to glow blood red. His arms flailing towards the two, claws extended out and ready to scratch them open. Darvo jumped as Scy released the ropes, letting his blades fly in rapid motion towards the incoming claws. Darvo threw his own heavy blade forwards, seeing how it got coiled around the ropes. The claws clashed with the three incoming blades, Howling as the jackal felt how the blades were still rushing his way.

Quickly pulling his arms back in cross formation to try and defend while his tail also moved in front of him. "It's over, bastard!" Darvo yelled while both claws were extended, inhaling deeply while a powerful blow released from his claws which shot off a large ball of fire. The swords pushed into their target, the jackal giving a loud shriek in pain while the ball of fire exploded once it came in contact with Jax.

The dragon iguana quickly pulling his ropes back, feeling them cut through Jax before swinging back. Darvo's own blade got dragged as well, seeing the blade fly back towards himself while planting his feet in the ground, his claw ready to catch the incoming blade. Jax crashed downwards in pain as his chest was ripped open and his arms had long open cuts.

Scy began running towards the downed jackal, both blades raised in the air and ready to cut back into his target. His eyes soon fell on a quick shadow appearing between them, black eyes pierced into the dragon iguana as the pale Razette had appeared. Her arm extended forward, making Scy cough, his paws loosening grip of his blades while feeling the fingers of Razette push into his throat.

Darvo saw how the lady lifted his partner up by his throat, feeling anger boil inside before he made haste towards the two. He lowered his blade, readying for an upwards thrust, Razette feeling the incoming danger as her tail quickly flung towards Darvo. He slashed his sword in reflex, cutting the tail tip, the lady screaming in pain as blood started to drip from the cut tail end.

She flung Scy in the air, letting go of him as he fell towards the ground. Darvo had set his focus on Razette, seeing how her tail started to grow and restore again, her hands forming fists. She threw her fist towards Darvo, who in returned raised his blade. His eyes widened as he saw how Razette's fist stopped Darvo's blade in its track to swing. Her next fist followed, bringing the dragon naga off guard while she stepped in, grabbing his shoulder and sweeping her feet to make Darvo fall on his back.

Her hand lowered as her palm got cut open, creating a sharp blood blade that pushed against Darvo's throat. "You dare to fight a queen?" her eyes were narrowed with anger as she spoke. Darvo swallowed, feeling the sharp tip at his throat, his eyes widened. Jax coughed loudly in the distance before he slowly got up, his gaze towards the downed Scy while walking towards him.

Scy cramped together while breathing out heavily, slowly getting up on his knees to see how Darvo was downed as well. He felt a claw on top of his head, his eyes narrowing while quickly rolling around to stand eye in eye with Jax. His chest was bleeding and had left a blood trail, his claws were scratched open as he passively stood there to gaze at Scy.

"You know, I thought you were stronger" Jax mumbled while holding out both claws. He started huffing as Scy slowly raised his blades up, fatigue however was wearing him out fast at this rate. "I am done playing around" Jax continued as he began howling loud. His pale skin showing growing veins underneath as they began pumping quicker.

His claws began to bleed while skin shredded open, his arms extending while his claws became sharp blades. The blood thickened as his claws were completely changed into two double edged blades. "What have they done to you?" Scy said, swinging his long sword, deflecting Jax's swing with his right arm.

Razette stood over Darvo, her blade still pressed against his throat as she laughed softly. Her eyes fell on a female figure that started to run towards her. Razette narrowed her eyes, retracting the blood blade back into her own body before she began floating into the air. "Darvo! Lift me up!" Felicia said while she had unsheathed her rapier, her shoulder covered with bandage.

Darvo got up, seeing Felicia jump upwards, he raised his blade up to create a platform. Feeling the nimble female jump on his blade to swing upwards. Felicia grinned as compressed air started to blow her further upwards, Darvo saw how her shoes began blowing out air. She reached Razette and held her arm while propelling herself around the cultist leader.

Her rapier lunged forward to create small cuts, Razette growling in pain before Felicia held her tight, throwing her down to the ground again. "This is what they call revenge!" She spoke before letting herself fall in front of the downed Razette. Quickly raising her foot up before letting it fall on her stomach, a strong blow of wind released, making Razette gag and cough in pain.

Jax turned his head at the cough, creating an opening for Scy who quickly rushed forward, stabbing the creature in his back with both blades. Jax groaned before his tail pushed Scy backwards, running towards his leader who was held hostage by Felicia and Darvo. Scy got up and followed Jax, his blades were still resting in the back of his enemy.

Darvo saw the two running their way, standing in front of Felicia and Razette while keeping his blade in a defensive position. A strong crash into his blade made a halt to the deformed jackal, Darvo raising his paw to create a wind burst that made Scy fly forwards. He grinned as he flew over the deformed jackal, giving a strong pull at his ropes, the blades cutting upwards and ripping through more of the deformed jackal.

Landing on both feet next to Darvo with a grin "Thanks" he said before he gave another tug on the ropes, pulling them back into his paws. Jax stood idly, his eyes blank as his blades were resting onto the ground. Razette grinned while snapping into her finger, the jackal began howling as the thick veins began throbbing harder.

A few seconds had passed before a strong recoil occurred, a great magic blow pushed the threesome backwards as the jackal regained his old form. Deep cuts and bruises were seen as Jax fell onto his knees, his eyes closed shut. Felicia groaned, losing her balance while Razette teleported herself behind Jax, her hand on top of his head to keep him up.

"You did good, Jax" she spoke, the jackal coughing while grinning slowly. "Yeah? What about those three? I couldn't kill them" he said whilst looking forwards, seeing the three get up. Darvo wanted to run into the fray while Felicia stepped in front of him, shaking her head "Don't challenge her. We are exhausted, she barely used any of her energy today" Felicia said, Darvo nodding in agreement.

"You failed to kill them twice, let's hope next time you will succeed" Razette spoke as she bit into his neck. Jax groaned in pain, feeling sharp claws dig into his chest while long fangs pushed their way into his neck. Scy saw how their old friend began to cry like a normal beastkin, his paws dug into the earth in front of him before he became limp into Razette's claws.

She flung her claws upwards before standing up, long open wounds were visible on Jax's chest as result. Razette began to float in the air, her claws raised up as they took appearance of normal hands again, blood ropes began to lunge towards the open wounds of the jackal. They began to wrap tightly around the jackal, webbing him in while they raised him in the air.

Razette gazed to the threesome that stood underneath her, grinning while shaking her head. "Don't think you have won, this war has just begun" she said as her robe got shredded open from behind, two wings spreading wide as they began to blow wind downwards. Her long tail wrapped around the covered jackal, the sharp tip pushed into Jax.

She started to fly upwards, disappearing into the darker parts of the cave as the sound of working wings soon faded into utter silence. Felicia shook her head, sheathing her rapier away before walking towards the west exit. "You two, get some rest. I'll order my people to guard the west exit" she said while walking away.

Scy turned to face his partner, shaking his head as his eyes were showing clear fatigue, their stamina depleted. "Did you see that? Jax was showing signs of distress" Scy said before Darvo shook his head. "What? he tried to kill us...TWICE!" He replied before letting his eyes take in the bloodied battle field.

They began walking towards the main plaza, soon standing rooted into the ground. The plaza was a bloodbath, countless dead bodies were seen, the fountain spewing out red water. A soft chuckle was heard, bringing the attention towards the top of the fountain, one of the robed women sat on top, her legs dangling into the air.

"This was your army?" she spoke with filth before jumping down, making way between the dead bodies towards the two warriors. Scy felt how anger took over, small red dots appearing on his iris. "It was fun you know? Ripping them open, seeing their blood gush out as they screamed helplessly" she continued while standing in front of Scy.

Scy looked down to the smaller woman, his paw grasping to her throat as she began coughing. her hands holding onto the tightly gripped paw, Darvo gazed to Scy who was lost in his anger. "Scy, calm down!" He spoke as his partner unsheathed his long sword. With a strong force, Scy began to yell, slamming the girl against a wall before pushing his long sword into her chest.

He let go of her, seeing how she hung against the wall, blood dripping from his blade while he readied his fist. Darvo got behind Scy and held his arm, keeping it back while slowly pulling Scy backwards "Don't let her get to you" he spoke, Scy snapping out of his anger while pulling his blade back. The girl fell on the ground as the gaping wound leaked more blood than she could lose.

Felicia had entered the scene and closed her eyes. "We need to look for survivors" She said softly, the two turning to face her. "We can't lose more innocent lives, we take the king on, just us three" Scy spoke as the red dots started to fade away again. "Tomorrow we do a front assault, the won't see it coming, and when they do it's too late for them" Scy continued while walking towards their home.

"Oh and" Scy turned to face Felicia, his eyes still full of anger. "Using civilians as army? Don't ever do this again"