Senn needed a human host soon. His pickiness this time did not help. He had skipped at least seven compatible targets, but he did not have time to work with a child. If he could not find an adult worthy to live in soon, the mission would fail.
He zipped down to a village large enough to contain a small contingent of guards. The three on duty this dawn did not attract his attention, but a viable host surely existed here. Too bad he couldn’t fly through anything solid. His invisible, airy form had to follow the rules of the wind. He circled the largest building. Not a single open window or door, so he returned to the front.
A man stepped out into the street, where he turned to face the rising sun.
A worthy vessel. Did it have to be a battle-worn soldier of thirty-plus years? Senn frowned. If he did not pick a host by noon, he would never pick one again. But he preferred a young soldier. Older host melding could prove disastrous because they had more strength of will with less acceptance of another coexisting in the body. A forceful expulsion could destroy him. He hovered near the man to examine him further.
Morning light highlighted the crooked ridge of his nose, and a scar traced across his left cheek, old enough to have happened in childhood. Other scars marred the well-muscled body. All of them showed the best care one could give. That care had kept the soldier alive and able to fight again.
Senn vibrated in the air and moved closer.
The soldier threw his arms wide and looked toward the sky. “Thank you, Lord of Light, for another morning. May you guide me through this day as you have every day before. Give me your strength to continue forward as your visions lead. I praise you, for no matter what happens, praise to you is what breaks the dark. Fill me with all that I need.”
Senn moved closer, intrigued by the man’s praise.
The soldier drew a deep breath.
A force seized Senn and sucked him in, as if he were merely another lungful of air. He screamed, fighting to free himself, but the scream became a roar in his ears, the soldier’s ears.
The soldier crashed to his knees. His body convulsed, bucking each time Senn attempted to separate himself from the soldier.
“Stop thrashing around.”
Senn froze. The man had enough control of his body to voice the command through gritted teeth. Everything ached with the tension.
You sucked me in. Senn’s voice echoed in the soldier’s mind. Never had a viable host done such a thing before.
The soldier pushed himself to his feet. He turned slowly, searching his surroundings while remaining in a defensive stance with fists up.
“Who are you?”
Senn remained quiet.
“We can fight or talk. Your choice.”
Senn felt muscles ripple as the soldier settled in place but remained on the balls of his feet. Exhilaration exploded in Senn. He forced the body into a punch, followed by a kick. Resistance locked his movements and he fell.
The soldier growled. “What are you?”
Senn tried to stand, but the body stiffened. Not good. The body rolled backward in a somersault and came to its feet, leaving Senn disoriented. Four moves into a martial arts form, Senn halted the motion. Muscles shook with the strain.
“You will not possess me.”
The soldier drew in a deep breath, much like the one that had sucked Senn in, and held it.
The soldier’s fluid movements that came with the release of the breath caught Senn up in an exhilaration that made him flow along and augment each step of the martial form. Sweat formed on the soldier’s brow. Energy surged with the enhanced movements.
Several minutes later, the body slammed itself to one knee and froze. Heavy panting mixed with the sounds of the awakening birdsong.
“You know how to fight.”
Yes, replied Senn.
Senn added tension to make the body spring up in a spinning kick. Then he threw it into a flip which the man did not fight. Then the soldier took him into another flip, which he augmented without thinking. A double flip with time for a triple before landing lightly. He blinked while the soldier laughed.
Oh, no. Senn could not leave.
“Indeed. We have an impasse.” The soldier controlled their breathing. The body relaxed into a ready stance. “I hear you in my head.”
You can think your words at me.
People stared at him. Senn shivered.
“You care what people think even though they are seeing me, not you.”
Senn made the eyes move to take in the soldiers and villagers forming around them. The soldier had a point, but he never wanted the host to have issues. He sighed mentally, but his new host did not match the action.
I am Senn and need a host to complete my mission. Please think your answer to me rather than talking.
The soldier started another flow of forms, which Senn augmented with everything he had.
Several minutes passed before the soldier replied with thought. “I am Captain Renard, and it is my duty to protect this village and its lands. I will only do what the Lord of Light directs. May he purge you from me if you wish to serve the dark. You will follow the leading of the Breath as I do.” Another exhilarating flip and the soldier stopped the forms in a defensive stance. “What is your mission?”
The Dark comes and I must conquer it.
“Good. I require help to do the same. The Lord of Light made this happen.”
Then let us train as one.
Senn smiled as the body shivered with excitement. He let Renard have full control. By the Light, he had found the perfect host.
This story first appeared on Havok in May 2022.