The Soul Eaters (The Thin Hex Line Book 1) by Gwyndolyn Russell (e reader txt) 📕

“There’s no way for it to be any better.” Ianisse’s bird squawked. “Captain nearly emptied out our entire stock of ammunition.”

“What? That fucking…” Jackal looked out the window to see Fenris standing not much further away. Vactubstein and Tunaaka were with it. They seemed to be conversing, but Jackal couldn’t hear anything.

“At least he brought all the fuel canisters for the flamethrowers, so we’re not entirely unarmed.” Yaaranam said from the hatch.

Vactubstein gave a thumbs up to them. Tunaaka marched on. Fenris took the lead. This time it did not hurry forth.

The radio crackled to life once more.

It was Reaper, following a request from one of his soldiers.

“Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

“Wish there was a mute button on these.” Jackal sighed.

“The Captain is quite religious.” Yaaranam stated. “It irritates you?”

They were headed out of the fjord. They would have to loop around northward to the shore several miles out. At the slow pace of Tunaaka being unable to run, it would take hours.

“Every chance he gets, he quotes that stupid Bible.” Jackal rolled his eyes. “You know, it’s all fine if you need the comfort of some fake guy watching your every move, but to think he actually does anything? Divine intervention? Pah, that’s bullshit. If there really is some almighty thing in the cosmos, I doubt it would bother with us. Besides, what all-loving being would make its children suffer? There would be no war, or pain, and these fuckin’ monsters wouldn’t be a thing.”

“We denounced the use of religion thousands of years ago.” Yaaranam said. “Our gods no longer spoke to us. We were without their guiding light, according to the tales anyway.”

“No point in wasting valuable time and breath talking to someone who never listens.” Jackal sighed.

By time they made it up and out of the fjord, Vactubstein put Tunaaka to rest in the shade of an outreaching tree. He knelt down next to the creature, checking its wounds, then patted it on the head. Fenris joined him, standing there in silence.

“It’s unfortunate she does not heal as quickly as you.” He said, his hand upon the side of Tunaaka’s head.

Fenris put its hand to the beast’s head. After a moment, it stepped away.

“Fen? Is everything good?” Yaaranam asked as it approached.

In silence, it moved to the back of the truck. It did not eat all of the souls given to it. The crate was strapped down in the bed. When it was opened, Fenris took out a few of the souls. Shut the crate. Hurried back to Vactubstein.

“What’s going on?” Jackal asked.

“I think Tunaaka is too injured to go on.” Yaaranam answered.

“Help.” Fenris said, leaning over to hand the crystal orbs to Vactubstein. Then it dug its claws into its side where it had been wounded earlier. Ripping what healed open again, the wolf dug deep into its own body. It cringed, biting back the pain.

When it finally pulled its claws out, black, rotten flesh tangled in sparking wires came out like an endless string. It pulled and pulled until the flesh and wires snapped. About a foot of indescribable entrails.

The valkyrie held this out to Vactubstein.

“Geihildra eats. Grow strong.” It hummed in thought, searching for the words. “Get Fenris...Essence?”

“Eating some of you could transfer the ability to heal?” Vactubstein questioned.

Fenris gave a nod.

“Thank you, wolf friend.” He took the entrails and one of the orbs. Wrapped the soul in what Fenris had given him. Then he held it out to Tunaaka’s mouth for the beast to take. He piled the other souls right in front of it and gave it a pat to the neck.

“Rest, Tunaaka. Come and find us to the north when you are healed.”

The creature chuffed at him.

Vactubstein stepped away, climbing up the roof of the truck without a gunner. Once seated, Fenris moved on at a much quicker pace. Tunaaka was left behind to rest.

Now they could make better time. Around the edge of the fjord, they headed north through a small patch of forest branching from the larger evergreens. On this side of the continent, grass was the only fauna save for the occasional grouping of shrubs and stones, oftentimes with a tree or two. The fields of grass rolled up and down like choppy ocean waves. The chilling breeze crisp with the smell of salt.

They could have forgotten everything that had just happened. Forgotten they were on a suicidal planet infested with soul eating monsters. The simplistic beauty of the fields and how the wind brushed over the long blades of grass far as the eye could see in all directions.

In the distance, lit up by the light of the stars, was a herd of ginormous beasts. Seemingly on the edge of the horizon, they towered far over the tallest trees. Their shoulders peaked over the canopy, well armored in heavy sheets of metal to deflect attacks. Their necks made up the majority of their length, and their height, with their puny heads reaching into the clouds. Long, whipping tails acted as counterbalances to their phenomenal tonnage. Short sails traced down their necks at either side of the vertebrae, thin and light reflecting, they flowed in the wind. Down the sides of their necks were a series of lilac lights that pulsed downward with each of their breaths. Similar lights ran down their front legs, where metal plungers stuck out from the top of the elbow. Pillar shaped legs carried them at a leisure pace wherever they wanted to go. The distinctive part of their bodies were the unfathomably large rail cannons seated down into their backs. The