Sarah hunched over the table examining the map of the town of Redrock. It was covered with countless colored pins meant to represent the locations of the town’s forces. A cluster of red ones-about 15 in all- were pinned to the left side of the map to represent the forces under Sheriff Reeves’s command. They were the main force that would hold off the impending invasion from the Humanity Defense Front. They were located on the Eastern side of town, where she believed the Humanity Defense Front would attack first. There was no tactical significance in doing so, it was because that was where the vast majority of non-humans lived. On the right side of the map was a smaller cluster of blue pins, about 5. Their purpose was to protect the town from the West. She doubted the Humanity Defense Front would divide their forces to perform a pincer maneuver but one could never be too careful. Sophie was at her side, bored out of her mind. The little girl had only the slightest implication of what was going on. All she knew was that the good guys were fighting the bad guys which in its essence, was the truth. Once the good guys won, she’d be able to go outside anytime she wanted which made her happy but knowing that didn’t prevent her from being bored. Besides her mother, there was no one else in the office space of the police station. The only other people in the building were those locked up in the holding cells which were filled with bad guys so she wasn’t allowed to go there. For now all she could do was look at the map with her mother, pretending that she understood what it all meant.

Sarah decided it was time to check on each individual sector. There was a lot of territory to cover so Sarah had divided the towns into sectors with each sector headed by a sector leader. They served as Sarah’s connection to the main forces. Though there was no guarantee the H.D.F. would attack tonight, she just couldn’t shake an ominous feeling that tonight was the night. That was why she had placed a radio on the table, to allow her to be in contact with them so she could always have a full picture of what was happening outside. She picked up the radio’s receiver, twisted a few dials on the radio.

“Sector 5 it’s Sarah, how are things out there?”

“Oh hi Sarah. Nothin’ to report. We’re all bunkered up in ‘ere with our rifles waitin’ for the racists. In the meantime we shootin’ empty cans' ' the voice on the other end said.

“Bern don’t waste the bullets ok? Let me know if anything changes.”

A shot was heard on the other end of the radio followed by “Ooooh weeee Kudmal that was a nice one.”

“Bern?”

“Huh? Oh yeah we’ll be fine Sarah. Dwarves never run out of ammo.”

“Alright keep me posted”

Sarah changed the frequency to another group.

“Sector 4 any updates?”

“Oi Sarah we got nothing. Getting kinda bored here. Me and the boys got our axes out but nothing to chop ‘em with.”

“I understand Dur but you have to remain vigilant. They can come any time and you’ll get the fight you want.”

“I know but I’m just saying some of my boys are falling asleep.”

“Well wake them up!”

“R-right away will do. Geez you’re scary for a human.”

Sarah switched frequencies and let out a loud sigh.

“Something wrong mommy?” Sophie asked her.

Sarah looked away from the map to see her daughter looking up at her.

“I’m fine, baby. Mommy just has a lot on her mind right now.”

“Do you want to color? Coloring makes me feel better.”

“Maybe later honey. I have to stay here.”

“Why?”

“So we can be ready for when the bad guys come.”

“I wanna fight the bad guys mommy. I wanna be like Mr. Warren and the sword lady.”

Sarah could sympathize with her daughter because she too wished she could fight the H.D.F personally. She had the justification in wanting to but then so did every non-human in the town of Redrock. Unfortunately she-and especially her daughter-were not fighters. Neither had a warclass and couldn’t use aura. That was the case for most people but still, it gave Sarah a sense of powerlessness. At least that was the case until now. Now she was able to fight back and in her way. If she couldn’t use her body, she could d*mn well use her brain. But her daughter? She was too young to use either so for now Sarah had to remind her of the only thing she could do.

“No honey what did I tell you to do in case you see a bad guy?” Sarah asked.

“I hide,” her daughter answered dejectedly.

“That’s right and where do you hide?”

Sophie pointed to the Sheriff's office.

“That’s right you go in there, lock the door and don’t come out until I, or Sheriff Reeves, tell you to,” Sarah added.

“Yes mommy”

“Don’t worry baby after tonight you won’t ever have to hide again. You’re going to be able to go outside whenever you want.”

“Really?”

“Yep. You’re going to go to school too and make tons and tons of friends.”

“Yay!”

Sarah chuckled at her daughter’s excitement. She was excited as well. Soon her daughter would be able to live a normal life. But abruptly the relaxed atmosphere was replaced by a dreadful one. A strange cadence started to become audible, stopping Sarah’s laughter. It was faint but distinct, the words clearly audible even though it sounded like a concert happening on the other side of town. It was clearly a church choir song which only meant one thing.

HDF Marching Song

The song was also heard by the prisoners in the police station’s holding cells. They started to cheer wildly in jubilation. The radio on the table started to emit static. Sarah picked up the receiver and heard “Ughhh Sarah, t-t-t-t-they’re-”

“Here I know. Get everyone ready! It’s about to start.” she finished.

****

Sheriff Reeves leaned back in his lawn chair, sipped some whisky out of a flask. His calm demeanor was a direct contrast to the bedlam around him. He was seated on the very edge of town, the place where the town became the crater. With him was Deputy Tarz, who was seated in his own lawn chair to his left. Then there was the main force to defend the town with him. Amidst all of the run down shacks and homes that surrounded the sheriff were various non-humans scrambling to get into position. Dwarves dug into makeshift trenches armed with rifles at the base of the sheriff’s feet. Orcs were picking up their battle axes and psyching themselves up. The Catkin were getting into their ambush positions with the Lizardmen. Even with all of the sound that accompanied the movement the sound of the coming invaders was clearly heard by all and getting progressively louder.

“Um Sheriff Reeves, shouldn’t you be getting ready?” a dwarf asked, looking up from the trench.

The sheriff and the deputy exchanged glances. The latter answered “He is. Don’t you see the whisky?”

They chortled. The dwarf-a bit confused-just nodded. The sheriff looked up at the edge of the crater and saw figures lined up side by side along with trucks. It was a giant gathering looking down on the town below. The darkness of the night made them all appear to be living walking shadows.

“How many do you think are up there Tarz?” the sheriff asked.

“Well we can only see the first wave. There are bound to be more behind them. Going by the sound it’s gotta be around 400ish?” Tarz guessed.

“And Don’s among them somewhere.”

“Definitely.”

“It’s been a long time coming, that's for sure. Nervous?”

The deputy shook his head.

“No. We had to deal with them at some point right?”

“You’re right Tarz. I’m only sad it didn’t happen sooner.”

“Better late than never.”

The music was now the loudest it could be, coming from the speakers located on the back of the trucks. The figures above started to sing along.

“This is awful. Someone play some real music! I hate this racist church crap.” the sheriff growled.

The deputy looked back, pointed at a catkin who went into a nearby shack, and came out with an old boombox. They pushed a button. New music blasted from its speakers, clashing with the music of the HDF.

Much better music

“Thank you! Real music!” the sheriff exclaimed with a grin.

The music was loud enough that the HDF waiting above started to fidget and boo, upset that their awful music was being interrupted.

“Heh I don’t even have a pistol” The sheriff realized, ignoring them.

“I do. Want it?” The deputy offered.

“No thanks. Swords are my thing.”

The HDF music cut off, making the sheriff’s music the only one audible. The sheriff rose to his feet.

“Looks like they’re ready to start.”

Out of the dark figures above, one stepped in front of all the others. They were the largest by far, a head or two taller than the rest and even from below, the sheriff could see they were well built given their width. The large figure took out something resembling a large horn, blew it. The sound was so loud that everyone below had to cover their ears. The horn was followed by the sound of hundreds of people yelling, followed by the stomping of feet. They started to run down into the crater.

“Let’s see if those mines work!” the sheriff yelled.

The charging HDF members started exploding, one by one. The side of the crater became a cacophony of destruction. Limbs flew into the sky. Men cried out in pain. Horses and trucks rushed along with the men, meeting the same fate. But they continued forward knowing they couldn’t turn back. The non-humans around the sheriff started to cheer like they were watching fireworks. The ground rumbled as the HDF crossed over the mines placed closer to their defensive position.

“Everyone get ready! They’re about to get past the mines.” the deputy yelled.

The horde of HDF members continued unabated, though smaller than before. Soon there was a group past the mines. They were about 300 yards away, at the place where the crater started to flatten out. Some of them aimed their rifles as they ran, getting close enough to use them with a degree of accuracy. But before they could fire their weapons, HDF members started falling into holes. Catkin and Lizardmen emerged from the holes, jabbing their swords into the sides of the HDF members, then retreated back into their hiding spots. The HDF members who had miraculously survived the minefield were now in an ambush. Some took out their swords in an attempt to fight back but the non-humans were too quick. They were cut down in a flash. However even this didn’t stem the tide completely. By sheer numbers the HDF was able to continue forward. The number of remaining mines started to dwindle, which allowed more attacks to run down the side of the crater free from danger. Soon a group was able to reinforce their allies, taking out a few Catkin and Lizardmen.

Seeing the danger the sheriff yelled “Fall back!”

The non-humans began to retreat, their speed easily allowing them to escape the HDF. They jump over the trench, standing alongside the sheriff.

“Alright boys just like at the shooting range!” a dwarf in the trench shouted.

They lined up their guns, massive bolt action rifles decorated in dwarven writing. They were guns that only dwarves could use. If a human tried to fire one, they’d dislocate their shoulder even if they used aura. The HDF members were coming closer, firing off shots of their own. A few stray bullets hit the ground next to the sheriff and deputy but they remained still, unphased.

The dwarves held their fire. They would unleash their volley only at the right moment. When the HDF horde came within 250 yards, they shot. Their bullets found their marks with pinpoint accuracy. Their targets exploded into red mists of blood. Trucks which charged alongside the men exploded into flames. Within seconds rows upon rows of men had ceased to exist, yet the attack did not relent. Every man that fell was quickly replaced as the HDF continued to send more and more men.

“They’re like ants!” the sheriff complained as the dwarves in the trenches reloaded.

“More like cockroaches,” the deputy corrected.

The HDF was getting closer, their shots getting more accurate. Some of the dwarves began to take casualties.

“Alright Tarz you know what it’s time for!”

“On it!”

The deputy began to run around, rallying the Orcs, Catkin, and Lizardmen, the races that can fight in close quarters. Soon there was a massive group behind the sheriff that formed just in time. The dwarves were soon to be overwhelmed, the HDF members able to get within a few feet of the trench.

“Charge!” the sheriff yelled.

He, Tarz, and the rallied non-humans jumped over the trench, entering battle with the HDF. The sheriff could now join the fight directly. Yellow electricity started to emanate from his body, his adrenaline rising. An HDF member charged at him, seeking to impale the sheriff with a sword. The sheriff, with lightning speed, sidestepped his attacker and threw a jab at his head. Electricity coursed through the HDF member and fell over, stiff as a board. The sheriff then began to zip and zoom across the battlefield. Knocking down each member with a single punch, immobilizing their bodies with electricity. He moved like he was a pinball, bouncing from man to man. He moved so quickly that some of the non-humans, and HDF members themselves, stopped to stare in wonderment. That is until Tarz yelled at the non-humans to get back to fighting, causing the battle to continue. The deputy himself entered the fray as well. In the midst of chaos of humans fighting against species that were bigger (orcs), smaller(dwarves), and faster (catkin and lizardmen) than them, Tarz fought in a human fashion. He aimed his revolver and --like an old western--began to mow down rows of HDF members. Those that were able to get close found their attacks to be ineffective. They would think they got the upper hand on Tarz, either by charging at him when he reloaded or attacking him at a blind spot only for their swords and bullets to bounce off him. The orc was like a walking tank, which was an apt description for the other orcs who fought as his side. Wielding large axes and hammers, they steam rolled everything in their path. Humans are knocked into the air, or stomped into the ground as efficiently as a hammer pushes down a nail. The humans found trouble with the other races as well. The dwarves continued to shoot them, the Catkin and Lizardmen back in the fight harassing their forces. One thing was clear to all, the town of Redrock was winning.

Some of the humans, facing utter despair, began to retreat. In the face of overwhelming odds, not even their hate for the enemy would allow them to continue. They began to trek out of the crater, where at the edge a man started down at them. Seeing them made them stop in their tracks. He was larger than any other human, almost orc sized. His very muscular build discernible even under his HDF outfit. His head was covered by a black sack, in his right hand the horn he had blown to start the attack. He eyed the retreating men.

“Are you doing what I think you’re doing?” he questioned.

“Brother Black. We can’t win this. You see what’s happening down there right!? Damn non-humans are slaughtering us. We need to come back with more men, get the other chapters involved!” one of the men argued.

Don Black slid a bit into the crater, standing in front of the man who just spoke. The man’s legs trembled looking up at Don and for good reason. Don punched the man with such force that he flew into the air, over the battlefield, into the trench, hitting a few dwarves.

“Anyone else want to recommend what we should do?” Don asked the group.

They slowly shook their heads.

“Good. Because right now we need to win a fight for humanity. Do not forget why we’re here. We’re here to protect our land, our freedom, and our children! Fight together! What we lack in strength and speed we make up for in spirit!”

The group cheered, reinvigorated by The HDF chapter’s second in command. They turn around, charged into the battle below. Don Black slowly followed behind, examining the carnage. He could see the sheriff as a bolt of lighting moving across the battlefield, taking out dozens of men in seconds. Near the center of the battle was who the sheriff replaced Don with once he joined the HDF, the orc Tarz, shooting down man after man. Don twisted his neck and cracked his knuckles. He found his targets.

Black made his way towards Tarz, walking across the battlefield in a quick gait. Dwarves shot at him, the bullets as effective as foam. The attacks that had turned normal men to mist were completely useless against the HDF’s second in command. An orc charged at Black, wielding a battle axe. Black dodged the orc’s swing, then gave the orc a powerful punch to the gut. The orc fell to his knees, vomiting. Black followed up with a chop on the head, breaking the orc’s skull. Other orcs saw what had happened to their ally, charged in to avenge him. Black, his eyes remaining fixed on Tarz, dodged their incoming attacks by shifting his body. He grabbed one orc by the throat, crushed his windpipe like how one effortlessly crushes an empty can. Another orc rushed in, was felled by a quick kick to the side.

“Orcs are fragile, just like the rest of us.” Black muttered.

Black continued his way towards Tarz, the latter focused too much on the chaos around him to notice the approaching threat. As Black walked, a lizardman and catkin flanked him from the sides, swinging their blades. He caught the swords with his hands, unfazed by the pain. He pulled them in so the lizardman and catkin collided in front of him, and fell to the ground. Black then ended both their lives with a strong stomp, crushing their insides. The HDF members around Black witnessed how he ended the non-humans with ease, giving them inspiration. They began to fight harder, slowly reversing the balance of power.

“For humanity!” some of them cheered as they rallied around Don Black.

The fear they had felt before was completely gone. With the beacon of hope that was Don Black, they felt rejuvenated. But Don didn’t care about any of that, he remained transfixed on Tarz. He soon was in close enough range for Tarz to notice. Tarz’s eyes widened as he saw Don Black approach. He quickly raised his revolver, fired off a shot infused with a huge amount of aura. The bullet zoomed across the battlefield, going through multiple HDF members. Before it reached him Don took something out of his pocket. It was a small blue cylinder with a metal button on it. He pushed it, which elongated the blue cylinder until it became a long skinny staff as tall as himself. He spun it in front of him, deflecting the bullet, making it hit a random HDF member instead. Tarz continued firing, putting more and more aura behind each bullet, hoping to pierce through Black’s staff. Black continued forward, blocking each and every bullet until he was only a dozen feet or so away from Tarz.

“Is that all my replacement’s got?” Black asked. “An orc with a mere pea shooter? Was Bass that desperate to find someone?”

The orc shrugged.

“Probably. Not like many folks applied. Right sheriff?”

Don heard bolts of electricity surge behind him, followed by the sound of men hitting the ground. He spun around, saw dozens of HDF members convulsing as yellow electricity coursed through their veins. Then in the blink of an eye the sheriff appeared in front of Don, his body surrounded by electricity. He wound up a punch, hit Don square in the nose, knocking his head back. The sheriff zipped away, joining his deputy. Don felt the energy course through his veins, but unlike every other HDF member who got hit, remained standing. The electricity eventually faded away, Don letting out a grunt in response to the attack.

“Hmmm didn’t think it’d be that easy anyway.” the sheriff admitted, as he unsheathed his sword.

“Should’ve just cut him from the beginning” the deputy pointed out.

“Guess I’m getting soft in my old age. Also you were the only one who applied, Tarz.”

“But you said I barely got the job back when you first hired me.”

“Yep. It was a tough decision between saving money and hiring you.”

“Nice to see your sense of humor hasn’t changed.” Don said, fixing his broken nose.

“Thank you but that wasn’t a joke. We have a small budget.”

“The police department is a shell of itself.”

“And I wonder who was responsible for that. Maybe the man who left and took the department with him.”

“They left of their own volition Bass. They joined who’s really protecting this town.”

“You mean the same group that’s attacking it right now?”

“You say attack, I say save. You’ve seen this town change sheriff. This was a nice human town. Then the non-humans started to move in. People had to compete with them for jobs and housing. Crime rose. Wages fell. You know that! You were there with me! This twisted place that was once Redrock needs to be wiped from the earth, only then can it be rebuilt to its former glory.”

The sheriff slowly shook his head, said “What happened to you Don? You were a good man once. I can’t believe Mason tainted your mind like that. It’s like you’re a completely different person.”

“I am different, Bass. My eyes have been opened. You should’ve joined me, none of this would be happening if you did. Just had to stick to your guns. I respect that, but it’s also going to be your downfall.”

“Tarz.” the sheriff said.

“Yes sheriff?”

“Let’s put Don out of his misery”

“Yes, sheriff.”

Tarz began firing off rounds at Don Black. Once again the bullets were deflected as Don spun his staff in a circle. While he did this, the sheriff zig zagged towards him, trying to keep Don on guard. The sheriff appeared behind Don, swung his sword. His former deputy blocked the blow with his staff, his body facing Tarz. He then launched towards Tarz with so much force that it blew the sheriff off his feet. The distance that existed between them was now nonexistent. He swung his staff like a baseball bat at Tarz’s left arm. Tarz raised the arm to deflect the blow. The staff hit his forearm, then bounced back with twice the force. Were it not for Don’s immense strength, the weapon would have flown out of his hand.

“You didn’t think my aim was all I got going for me did you?.” Tarz said as he raised his revolver, shot an aura infused bullet into Don’s chest.

Don Black skidded back across the battlefield, his feet making trails in the dirt. He eventually stopped, put his hand over his chest. It felt like he’d been punched hard in the chest, a painful but nowhere near fatal blow. Suddenly two Catkin appeared, seeking to capitalize on Tarz’s attack. Not in the mood for small fry, Don swung his staff, knocking the two of them away. As soon as he did the sheriff materialized in front of him, swung his sword once more. Don blocked the blow, saw the sheriff disappear. He reappeared to his left, attacked again. Don was able to block it again. The sheriff must’ve assumed he could keep Don on his toes. He would be wrong. He knew how his former boss fought, making it easy to predict his movements. The sheriff appeared in the air above him, just as he expected. He sidestepped as the sheriff’s attack missed then swung his staff. The sheriff got hit in the back, sent flying. The sheriff collided into Tarz, making the two fall into the trench with the dwarves.

Don began running towards the trench, his body still deflecting all incoming bullets. As he ran he twisted the bottom of his staff. A blade emerged at the tip of his staff, turning the weapon into a spear. He ran until he was within 25 yards of the trench, jumped the rest of the way in a mighty leap. He stomped two dwarves into the ground when he landed. He looked to his right, saw the sheriff and deputy get up. The sheriff was in front of the deputy so he was the first target. Don stabbed with his spear with such speed the sheriff barely dodged as it cut the side of his chest. The sheriff ducked, and yelled “Tarz!”

The deputy raised his revolver, shot it. The bullet was cut in two by Don, both hitting the sides of the trench. The sheriff got back to his feet as Don started stabbing again and again. The sheriff blocked each blow with his sword as he and Tarz backed up, although receiving a few more nonlethal cuts. Seeing he wasn’t getting through his opponent’s defense, Don pulled his spear back, charged. Unable to escape because of the trench’s confines, the sheriff was unable to avoid Don. Don shoulder bashed him and Tarz with enough strength to lift both of them off the ground. Don ran through the trench, running all the dwarves over. He ran until he reached the end of the trench, slamming the two of them into the dirt wall. The sheriff took most of the damage as he was sandwiched between the two giant beings. After the slam Don jumped back, prepared to plunge his spear into their bodies. He was about to pierce the sheriff when he felt a brick hit his head. He looked up, saw a Lizardman had been the one responsible.

“Take that you big ol’ sonuvabitch” he yelled.

Don grabbed the very bottom of his spear to increase his reach, then stabbed the lizardman in the stomach. He looked back to the dirt wall, and saw that they disappeared.

“You’re gonna pay for that.” he heard Tarz say behind him.

His head turned, saw a barrel in his face. Tarz pulled the trigger, making Don Black feel as if someone had bashed a hammer into his head. His body flew into the wall where only a few seconds ago the sheriff and deputy had been.

“Tarz you need to step back for this.” Don heard as he tried to reorient himself.

He shook his head until he stopped seeing doubles. Finally able to see again, he saw the sheriff standing in front of the deputy, forming a massive ball of electricity in his right hand.

“Don Black. You’re under arrest…” the sheriff said, reciting what Don had said so many times when he was the deputy.

He couldn’t hear the rest, his mind too discombobulated.

The sheriff ran forward, punched him in the stomach with all his might as hundreds of volts went through Don Black’s body. Don screamed in pain from the blow, his body lighting up like a lightbulb. All across the battlefield, HDF members heard their leader’s wails, letting them know their beacon had fallen. After 15 seconds of writhing, Don fell over.

Quietude followed. The sounds of battle-the clanging of swords, the huffing and puffing of combatants, the screams of death-had ceased. All that could be heard was the billowing wind. It was like when Don Black died, the battle died with him. It put the sheriff on edge.

“What happened?” the sheriff asked no one in particular as he climbed out of the trench.

The view he saw gave the answer. The battlefield was littered with death. All of the HDF members had fallen, the only ones standing were the non-humans. About 28 in all.

“Ugh they kinda just...fell over.” an orc stated as he lightly kicked a dead body.

“T-that means we won right?” a dwarf asked.

The non-humans were regrouping around the sheriff, forming a crowd.

“But this human doesn’t have any wounds. Why’d he die?” a lizardman pointed out.

The sheriff scanned the human bodies, and noticed that the majority of them had no wounds. It was as if they all had synchronous heart attacks.

“Do humans do this? Is this a thing? Do you all die when your leader does?” an orc questioned.

“No. Everyone back away from those bodies, something fishy’s going on.” the sheriff replied.“Tarz, how's Don? Something weird happened up here.”

“Not good sheriff,” a ragged voice said.

Sheriff Reeves spun around, saw that Don Black was out of the trench, his clothes charred from the electricity. He was choking Tarz with his left hand alone, lifting him off the ground. A massive dark blue aura emanated from his body. Behind him he could hear the non-humans get into battle position.

“Don what did you do?” the sheriff asked, raising his sword.

“What do humans have that non-humans don’t? Is it intellect? No, that belongs to the elf. Is it strength? No, that belongs to the orc. Is it speed? No, that belongs to catkin and lizardmen. Is it ingenuity? No, that belongs to the dwarf. Instead we have spirit. The indomitable will to stand up against all odds. To do whatever it takes, even if it costs one’s life. All the men behind you gave up their lives for me, because they knew I needed their strength to win this night.” Don Black babbled.

“The hell are you on about?”

“My true ability, sheriff, is aura absorption. All the men around you gave up all of their aura, to give me strength. They did so willingly. However, if I can touch someone, I can take theirs by force. That’s what’s happening to this orc here. Without his aura, he becomes paper like so.”

Don squeezed his hand, crushing Tarz’s windpipe.

“Tarz!” the sheriff screamed as he bolted towards Don. He appeared in front of him in a flash ready to swing his sword. Yet Don was quicker. Before the sheriff could move his arms, Don backhanded the sheriff with his free arm, causing the sheriff to skid and roll a few dozen yards away. Don dropped Tarz, took out his spear once again. The non-humans attacked, charging at him and from all directions. From ahead, behind, and above. Five in all pounced. Don Black countered by swinging his spear around in all directions, killing his assailants before they could lay a finger on him.

“Well we’re dead.” one of the dwarves said after witnessing the display.

“Don’t get discouraged! I got Don! You all take Tarz to Sarah! She has our most effective healing potions!” the sheriff said to the group of non-humans, zipping past them in a bolt of electricity.

He flanked Don by getting on his left side, electricity surrounding his body. He swung his sword but Don’s reaction speed was on par with the sheriff’s. Don quickly rotated, swung his staff. The staff and sword connected and were now grinding against one another, causing sparks to spray everywhere.

Don looked down at his former boss, said “I now have the strength of 296 men, and one orc. You cannot win Bass.”

“Sounds like it’s about even!”

The sheriff backed off, then started to zoom around Don, going so fast that dust rose up from the ground, partly obscuring his vision. Don tried to keep track with his eyes but he could only see afterimages. Then he began to hear electricity shoot off. A ball hit him in the back, sending a minor shock to go through his body. With all of the new aura he acquired, the attack didn’t hurt as much as the sheriff wanted it to. The yellow orbs of electricity began to come in from everywhere, the sheriff moving non stop as he fired. As he got hit by each he thought to himself how pitiful the attacks were. They stung, but that was it. The power difference between them was too great. He would end things quickly.

Don sensed where the sheriff was about to be, swung his staff. It banged against the sheriff’s head, causing him to flip then hit the ground. The sheriff was laying on his back, bleeding from his forehead. Don walked to him, stomped his foot onto the sheriff’s chest, making him go deep into the ground. He began to stomp again and again, making the sheriff sink deeper and deeper into the earth. In the distance the non-humans were running into town, carrying Tarz in a stretcher.

“It’s over Bass. The non-humans took too many casualties. They won’t stand a chance against me and it’s too late for the orc, not like he could’ve made a difference.” Don said as he looked down at the sheriff.

The sheriff’s chest was being crushed under the weight of Don’s boot. He was coughing up blood.

“You think I’m done do ya?” the sheriff said with a smile, his teeth covered in blood.

“You’re past your prime sheriff, you don’t have anything left.”

“Still got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

The sheriff raised his left arm, pointed his index finger at Don’s head. A quick bolt of electricity shot out, hitting Don in the right eye. He backed away, his hand against the wound. The sheriff got up, holding onto his chest.

“I’ll admit it. I’m old. Not as fast or strong as I used to be. But I know one thing for sure. I got enough strength to kick your ass. That hasn’t changed in the 20 years I’ve known you. How about it, Don? One last match for old time’s sake?”

Don ripped the sack off his head, revealing his bald white head, bulky jawline, and clean shaven face. One eye was bleeding, the blood slowly trickling down his cheek like a tear. The moon’s light illuminated the both of them as they stood above the sea of bodies. They were surrounded by destruction making it look like they were the last two people alive in an apocalypse.

“Bass, I’ll give you a proper death.”

“Good! I didn’t want to die in a senior home anyway! Come at me!” The sheriff yelled as he raised his sword, ready to give it his all.