Chapter 53

The first priority, of course, had been to ensure Henry’s wrist didn’t get broken. He was rather fond of having the use of both his wrists and didn’t wish that type of debilitating injury to occur. As such, even as Camo jackass worked to snap the fragile bones in his wrist, suddenly, Henry’s wrists weren’t so fragile. Iron armor crossed over Henry’s arms and body, solidifying in a manner that both protected and supported his wrist. Sure, it was still bent back painfully, but the armor plating kept the man from applying enough force and leverage to snap his wrist.

An additional bonus of the Iron Hide from his Bladed Drakeling, was it forced the man’s grip open a bit. Henry used this opportunity to break his wrist free from the momentarily startled exorcist standing before him.

Then, without giving the man time to figure out what was happening, the second part of his plan went into action. Winds whipped around Henry, and he felt the wind shield from his evil eye flow over his body. Not only would it protect him from attacks, it came with a speed boost, which made Henry’s body feel lighter.

He’d originally wanted to have his Storm Crow buff him as well but wasn’t sure if the electrical discharge that would occur from its ability would count as Henry attacking his fellow exorcist with D.E.D. powers. Henry was certain he could get away with his current plan, but as much as he wanted to, fully zapping the asshole probably wouldn’t fly. Which was why his Storm Crow was currently sitting back, it’s orders being to watch the snake, in case the man’s D.E.D. decided to retaliate.

With enhanced armor, magical protection, and a movement speed increase, Henry moved rapidly. He’d been in some fights, but obviously wasn’t trained or experienced to the degree of the man before him. However, he was now magically enhanced, and he figured such stat buffs would ensure he could hold his own, and very likely, win this fight.

The stunned man before him, his mind seeming to try and figure out what was happening, stood there as Henry broke free. Without waiting, Henry charged into the man, tackling him to the ground. His intention, was to take the man to the ground, and either pin him, or pummel him enough, that he couldn’t go investigate the drums.

However, his action seemed to jumpstart some sort of instinctual training within the man before him. As Henry took him to the ground, the man’s arms and legs wrapped around Henry. His legs squeezed against Henry, putting pressure against the air shield and iron armor, but doing little to Henry. His arms, meanwhile, wrapped around Henry’s neck, trying to pull him close in some sort of choke hold type embrace. From the position of his muscled arms, had it not been for Henry’s defensive measures, he was certain he would have been choked out.

“What the hell are you doing.” The man hissed. “Why are you getting in my way.” Another hiss, but this time, not from the man. The snake that was around the man’s neck struck towards Henry, it’s fangs dripping some sort of liquid. They struck against his Wind Shield, glancing off the defensive barrier. Henry wasn’t sure what level the D.E.D. was, but he had a feeling it wasn’t close to his levels yet. After all, Henry had a feeling this particular individual wasn’t getting the power leveling treatment Henry was.

“Because I made a promise.” Henry said simply. “Why couldn’t you just leave good enough alone, and take my word that you didn’t need to investigate the drumming?” Their struggle on the ground was attracting attention. While the actual exorcists in the area had their hands full with the Greater Rift, players were turning away from their ‘battle’, to watch the brawl taking place.

“You expect me to just up and trust you?” The man continued trying to break through Henry’s defenses. He was trying multiple moves against Henry, but because of Henry’s magical defenses, he was able to prevent the moves. Though, he did almost get himself stuck in an armbar. Which would have really sucked.

“Why not?” Henry responded, his breath coming quickly. The man was putting up a massive fight, and Henry was struggling. “Why couldn’t you just trust me? Aren’t we on the same side?”

The man chuckled, his snake continuing to strike at Henry. As long as the blasted thing stayed around the man’s neck, Henry couldn’t really order his Storm Crow to blast it. Doing so, might accidently shock not only the man, but also Henry, and that would really suck on multiple levels.

“We’ve been with the group for a week.” The man continued. “I’ve done nothing with you and haven’t seen you since orientation. Why the hell would I trust you?”

The man had a point. Henry hadn’t really given him any reason to trust him. Still, he doubted the Vet would have listened, and had a hard time believing the Vet would trust anyone that was part of Jonathan’s squad. Henry had a feeling the Camo wearing man had way too many chips on his shoulder.

“Because all I care about is keeping people safe.” Henry responded with another grunt as he wrestled against the man. A small ring of onlookers was starting to form around them, and it was all he could do to keep his voice low.

The man’s eyes narrowed. “Then why aren’t you curious about what’s going on? It’s clear we were set up for failure here.”

Henry shook his head. “There’s more going on than just this.” He was growing increasingly worried about his chances in this fight. So far, no one had joined in or tried to break them up, but he knew the moment they did, the Camo man was likely going to continue on his merry little way, and JJ would have to deal with him.

“Exactly.” The man said, arcing his back suddenly, bucking hard. Henry was nearly flung off, and found himself suddenly off balance, and in a terribly awkward position. “Which is why I’m going to figure out what. I’m not going to put my life on the line for a group that doesn’t care about its people. I’ve already seen what that type of leadership does.”

The man’s arms moved quickly, and he shifted around, his body moving to suddenly wrap around the off-balance Henry in a much more dangerous way. Suddenly the Camo wearing man was behind Henry, his legs wrapped around Henry’s waist, his arm pulled as tight as it could be around Henry’s neck, his hands clasped together as he pulled hard.

With pure physical strength and with the leverage he was now able to gain using his position on Henry, he started to squeeze and push. His legs pulled Henry’s body downward, while the man arched his back and slowly, steadily, worked in the dangerous chokehold. Sure, Henry had his protections, but it was only a matter of time now. Especially as the serpent wrapped itself around the man’s wrists and Henry’s protected neck, using its form to coil tightly, enhancing the effects of the chokehold.

A cracking sound in Henry’s ear told him his iron defenses were starting to break. Additionally, the swirling winds around him had weakened to the point of hardly being called a draft. His vision waivered for a second, and it was all he could do to struggle against it. Even worse, given the situation, and with all of the onlookers, Henry couldn’t risk having his Storm Crow act know. It would raise too many suspicions. Surely, doing so right now, would get him in major trouble with the Exorcists.

He struggled against the blood choke, knowing he had only a few seconds, if that, before his defenses completely fell. After which, he doubted he would hold onto consciousness long. The vet, at the very least, wasn’t all talk.

“Oy,” a shout came from the crowd formed around them. “Let him go.” A second later, Henry heard a loud grunt, followed by the immediate loosening of the grip on his throat. As Henry fell forward, his vision returning to normal, he glanced backwards to see who’d come to his aid. There, standing over an unconscious camo wearing vet, was a smirking JJ. Behind JJ, Henry’s Storm Crow floated.

“A little birdy said you needed my help.” JJ’s smirk didn’t leave his face as he held out a hand towards Henry. With the fight done, the onlookers were dispersing. “Seriously,” he looked down at the camo man, and then at Henry’s sorry state. “One of these days you’re going to get yourself killed.”

Henry took his hand and stood up shakily. He cracked a grin towards his best friend, noting the sound of the drumming had stopped, and also, the Greater Rift seemed to be closing. They’d done it. They’d kept Varkoth from emerging.

“Funnily enough,” Henry said with a small laugh, “Jewel keeps telling me the same thing.”