Mutant

The mutant thundered across the plain. Dust, tinted orange by the sunset, shrouded the beast as it approached.

Yet soon enough the mutant would be all-too visible.

Why is it here so early?

It wasn’t Lily’s only concern where she gripped the parapet, surrounded by Haven’s other defenders. Their voices were full of worry, be they hunter or tamer, and the crackle of other kami filled the air, too. Rasping whetstones joined the din as last-minute preparations were undertaken.

Hastily.

The mutant’s speed surprised everyone. Even Mia and Noah, who had immediately called for others, including Gabriel, to help with the cannon.

Haven’s last line of defence.

Could it still fire?

The Twins saw a Possibility, so it was worth trying.

Which leaves us to do the real work. It was Yellow’s voice, quite bright. He sounded excited – unusual for the kami. Before that thing reaches the Gate, release us together. We’ll form a spear. It’s the best way.

Lily hesitated. Kami usually attacked alone. Or as three individuals if she released them together. It kept their movements free and untethered, letting them strike from multiple angles and from a distance.

It also helped keep Lily herself out of range.

There was another reason Lily didn’t find Yellow’s words exactly thrilling. The mutant was easily two storeys tall. It would tower over her from the ground, and depending on its reach, the thing might even be able to climb the gate.

There, it could crush her with a single blow.

But if hand-to-hand combat really was the quickest way to stop the feral, as her kami certainly believed, then Lily didn’t have much choice. She’d have to personally drive the spear through the mutant’s flesh.

“And you’re sure about this?”

How many Lost kami trapped inside mutants have you faced?

“You know the answer is zero.”

Exactly my point. Trust us as we trust you. I know you can do this, Lily. We’ll lend you strength and speed – simply make sure you’re ready to jump.

Jump?

Lily folded her arms.

Don’t worry. You can strike any part of the mutant because once you pierce it, we’ll be inside. Let us do the rest.

A grunt of agreement came from Emerald, as Blue added his own voice. It’s the quickest way, Lily. Otherwise, we’d have to strip away the fur and flesh first. By then, the mutant might break Haven’s defences.

“Fur?” Even as Lily asked her question, a gust of wind tore through the approaching dust cloud.

The mutant skidded to a halt.

An inhuman sight.

White fur covered its massive body, dark cobalt spots and uneven patterns running across arms and back like lichen. Or disease. When it rose upon hind legs, Lily saw an eyeless, animal-like head. This too, was covered in pale fur, but remained free of colour.

The mutant had stopped to sniff at the air for some reason, heavy jaw agape.

Even from a distance, the size of its mouth was enough to make her shiver. That thing absolutely cannot be allowed inside, she thought. Even if it can’t see.

Lily lifted her jars as thunder from the mutant’s feet resumed. “What if I miss?”

You won’t. This time, it was Emerald.

Emerald, who rarely spoke.

She opened each jar and one-by-one, her kami burst free, their colours trailing. They clashed in mid-air but it was no battle: the kami were spinning in place. Gasps rose around her. She lifted her voice. “Don’t worry.”

Naima stood nearby with a grin. Her peach-coloured kami swung from one of her plaits and didn’t seem to trouble the gate-guard. “Well. This is new.”

“Let’s hope it works.”

The three colours of her kami spread, growing thinner and thinner until they formed a spear. Yellow became the blade at the top, while Blue and Emerald shared the haft.

Lily grasped the weapon.

Energy pulsed through her fingers. It shot along both arms to sizzle within her chest – a burst of raw power. Her whole body grew lighter. The first she made around the spear felt as though it could have crushed rock. And when she lifted a foot to rest it on the parapet’s edge, there was no doubt she’d be able to leap forth and strike her target.

A feral kami… caught within a prison of flesh.

Truly, an unfair fate, but still a threat.

Drawing near.

Eyeless head fixed upon Haven, unwavering.

Further along the gate, Amir raised an arm. His white hair stirred in the breeze, gaze determined. “Take aim, everyone!”

The handful of people holding rifles lifted their weapons, joined by archers. Of those, the settlement had at least a dozen, but not everyone was a great shot. On the other hand, they wouldn’t have to be in order to hit such a large target.

The tamers had freed their own kami, a sizzling rainbow overhead, each one ready and waiting.

“Come on, monster!” Lily cried, raising her glowing weapon.

The mutant was almost in range… she tensed, her new power coiled within, ready to spring forth.

Even her vision had improved.

She could easily see old blood on the fur. Darker patches of cobalt spreading from its chest and hunks of earth and stone that flew from sharp talons. She even caught a tiny flicker of flame deep within the mutant. Some trace of the feral kami? The flame was colourless but awfully restless, like a wild heartbeat.

Ready? Yellow asked.

“Very.”

On my count –

The mutant surged forward with a sudden burst of speed.

It hurled itself into the air. White flashed overhead as the creature cleared the gate with barely any effort. It crashed into the street then charged deeper into the settlement.

Heading for the citadel!

Lily gaped after the creature.

Gabriel.

She launched herself over the steel rail, the ground far, far below. She hit the earth and rolled, the impact not enough to break her legs. She simply found her feet, then ran after the mutant, spear in hand.

Wow. So easy!

Yellow chuckled. Don’t get carried away with yourself – we’re helping, remember?

“Right.”

The mutant’s trail tore the earth in a direct line. And it wasn’t heading for the citadel after all, but a path off to the side. The few people who hadn’t already taken shelter screamed and fell back as it passed, but the mutant did not appear to care.

It was simply too focused on the road leading up into the mountain… the spring? That was the answer. The mutant was headed for Haven’s water-supply.

Lily pushed herself into a sprint.

Once again, kami lent her power and she narrowed the distance without any trouble. Now and then, she flicked away a hunk of earth left in the mutant’s wake with the spear, her reflexes far better than before.

And then she was within range – just one good throw would be enough.

Do it! Blue’s voice rang out.

She drew her arm back and hurled the glowing weapon with a grunt.

The spear shot forth like a bullet.

Coloured sparks burst when the blade-head struck fur. The mutant collapsed. Lily didn’t stop running. She charged the creature, hurling herself forward to catch the spear and drive it deeper into the mutant, relying on her momentum.

Without the kami helping she wouldn’t have had the strength – or the coordination to pull off such an attack.

But it worked… hadn’t it?

If nothing else, she’d driven the weapon deep enough that she couldn’t pull it free when she tried.

“Is it working?” she asked the kami, but received no answer.

A crowd of footsteps approached, bringing cheers and smiles with them when she turned. Defenders and others from the settlement were slowly surrounding her, calling her name or thanking her.

Warmth from their gratitude covered her like an embrace and tears built in her eyes. She smiled back as she wiped at her cheeks.

Amir was part of the group, his weathered face proud. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Well done, my girl.”

“I had help.”

“But you didn’t back down. That’s what’s important.”

He nodded to a few of the others, those who had not lowered their weapons, and they moved to check on the mutant’s corpse. Mostly via cautious prods with the barrels of their rifles, but the mutant did not stir.

Dead.

Good. Lily let her shoulders slump a little as relief took the place of elation.

She rested a hand on the spear. “All done?”

Blue answered, his voice soft. Lily…

“Yes?”

It’s Yellow. Blue hesitated. He’s gone. He tamed the Lost One… but it took him, too.