by Aeon Solo
“Hey,” he said with a hint of anxiety, unsure of his place in her social circle.
“Oh, hi, Viden” she replied gleefully.
“Are you happy?” he asked, a little puzzled with her positive demeaner.
“Yes?” she said, raising her shoulders and hands, “Because you’re here,” she added with a smile. That smile was intoxicating. He smiled back in kind, slightly embarrassed.
“Let’s get out of here,” she said quietly, gesturing for him to follow her to the spot in the forest. She closed her stall and they began to leave the market until a woman seized their attention.
“Help!” she screamed to the people, “Has anybody seen my child? My son went missing in the night.” Her pleas unsettled them. Other women in the market approached her to console.
“That’s two children and a woman that I know of who have gone missing recently,” he said anxiously to Mara.
“What’s happening to them?” she pondered.
“I have an idea, but I’d rather not think it to be true,” he responded, grasping his face.
“What’s that?” She asked, intrigued by his response.
“He revealed himself to me, the Archon, he was as I suspected, an alien from another world,” he said. “Maybe they are taking them,” he continued, “Like they took me.” Mara was stunned by his explanation.
“He’s a what? Are you sure?” she responded, mouth open with shock. Mara knew more than she was letting on with Viden and must maintain an unknowing façade with regards to the Archon. He nodded in response.
“Yes, like a Gazor in appearance.” They continued to exit the market, down the pathway. The rest of the Knights stood guard by the pyramid and noticed them sneak away from the market. Anu-Hask glanced toward Anu-Scherzo, who nodded in acknowledgement. They began to follow them, but ensuring they were unseen. Viden and Mara were giggling with each another
“So, what do you do for fun around here?” he asked.
“I like to go to the saloon we went to recently. I like to dance and to explore the land,” she said with glee. “What about you?” she wondered.
“I tend to use my isolation tank. One cannot concern themselves with fun when discovering the nature of their universe,” he responded, whilst gazing into the sky with wonder.
“Boring, you need to have fun, loosen up a little,” she grabbed his arm enticing him to dance.
“Socialising is prohibited by the Archon, and I do not dance,” he said firmly, but with a creeping smile.
“Well you are now,” she replied, she guided him through various dance routines for couples. He was embarrassed, unsure of what he was doing. She chuckled as he tried to stay in sync with her. She gazed into his eyes and began to creep closer. Viden was slightly uncomfortable with this intimacy. She closed her eyes and attempted to kiss him in the moment. He pulled away; the sound of bustling bushes distracted him from behind. He turned and the three other Knights of Anu awaited him.
Mara opened her eyes disappointed with the apparent rejection, but her disappointment faltered as she glared at the three Knights before them.
“Socialising is strictly prohibited Krai,” Anu-Scherzo stated firmly.
“I’m not socialising and why have you come here?” he responded in kind, matching his comrade’s ferocity. The three Knights were in their intimidating battle attire, with their masks equipped.
“We are worried that you are becoming distracted, we saw you in the saloon,” Anu-Scherzo replied bluntly.
Anu-Krai glanced between them. “There is no distraction here.” He gestured for them to follow him back to the pyramid. Mara remained disappointed as she watched him walk away with the Knights. They reached the path and he turned. Their eyes locked, he was saddened by his departure, so was she. His mouth fluttered slightly as if to say something, but he turned away and continued his return.
Mara went home to her guardian. She was an elderly lady who lived with Mara. She was like a mother to her since her parents were separated from her. She entered the home and shut the door with force.
“Mara!” her guardian shouted when she entered the living quarters, “I’ve made some Menya, do you want some?” she called loudly to Mara in the next room. Mara ignored her, she slouched in the chair. Her guardian found her in the living quarters.
“I asked you a question, didn’t I?” she said firmly, displeased with the apparent lack of response.
“I’m not hungry,” Mara replied in a cold voice.
“What’s wrong? Come on tell me,” her guardian asked, hoping to understand why Mara was being stubborn with her.
“It’s nothing,” she responded bluntly.
“Tell me,” she urged once more.
“I met someone; it doesn’t matter,” she disregarded the situation. Her guardian cuddled her gently with support, a tear flowed down Mara’s cheek.
“I’m sorry Mara, don’t get too upset,” she said sympathetically to her. She wiped away a tear from her cheek. “I hear there is a big gathering at the saloon in a few days, why don’t you go with your friends. I heard Nediv from the blade smiths will be there,” she said cheerfully, hoping to improve her mood.
Mara giggled. “He is cute, isn’t he?” she responded, her glum demeanour fading. “But I can’t, there’s something about this one I can’t put my finger on it, it’s like the universe keeps pulling me towards him,” she explained, confused by her feelings.
“Just watch yourself,” her guardian said, nipping her nose with a smile as she began to leave.
“You know it’s dangerous getting attached, we’ve been through this before,” she said softly. Her guardian reached the door.
“These Anuai aren’t just Draco fanatics,” she said, her words slammed the atmosphere.
“Well then, we better keep our heads down.”
Over the coming days Anu-Krai isolated himself in the pyramid, fully focusing on his training, to ensure he would not fall defeated a second time. His non-combat training routine involved various bodyweight exercises including, pull ups, chin ups, press ups and dips using apparatus scattered about the training area. He continued to spar with Anuai warriors but without success on these occasions. The rest of the Knights trained with the army, but only with specialised troops. There were various combat drills and the same bodyweight exercises were incorporated into a training regime for them. The armed forces partake in group running a few times per week to train and enhance their endurance. The Imperials from Artsul have the highest trained military in all Agarta, with regards to individual soldiers. The coming conflict will be their greatest test and a personal test for Anu-Krai.
Anu-Scherzo was alone performing pullups on a bar in a secluded training area, unmasked. Anu-Krai wandered up behind.
“Scherzo.”
Anu-Scherzo released the bar, pivoted his head slightly, but hiding his face. Long flowing dark hair lapped his head. He grabbed his mask which faced Anu-Krai beside him.
“What do you want,” he said bluntly, voice modified as usual.
“I want you to make sure our brothers don’t fall this time,” he said coldly.
Anu-Scherzo turned to go to him. “You think it was my fault my Zvest died?” he roared, finger harshly in the face of Anu-Krai.
“Your words, not mine,” he replied, progressively angered. Anu-Scherzo returned to the bar. “Pathetic king,” he muttered. Anu-Scherzo began to pull up on the bar. Anu-Krai shot the wooden clamp which held it in place to the side. Anu-Scherzo fell to the ground harshly with the bar and clamp.
“I’d cut the snarky tone if I were you, you piss me off more than anyone,” Anu-Krai hissed above him. Anu-Scherzo didn’t respond, he wasn’t annoyed, but sad. Glancing up from the ground, watching him leave.
One day before the march on Artsul. The armed forces were preparing to embark on the 3-day march to Artsul and there was a large social gathering in the local saloon to celebrate and offer good fortunes to the soldiers. Mara was there with her friends. Anu-Krai was si
tting atop the staircase in his training garments, the market was empty since it was late. He could hear the celebrations in the distance coming from the saloon and surrounding streets. He pondered for a moment and began to walk in the direction of the noise. He approached the street. He could see hundreds of people flooding the street and saloon. Alcohol in hand, singing songs, most of them were soldiers. He hid behind a tree observing the social event. He then spotted Mara exit the saloon. He smiled slightly at the sight of her. But she was shortly followed by a man who whisked her off her feet and kissed her. His smile morphed to disgust and rage. He punched the tree in front of him, the impact hurt his hand significantly because he was wasn’t wearing his battle gloves.
“Idiot!” he exclaimed aloud to himself whilst he tried to ease the pain. He walked away and returned to his living quarters infuriated, feeling somewhat betrayed.
His brain argued with him, as it always did. He berated himself for having any feeling toward her. Convinced his biology was duping him into suffering. Love, it’s irresistible, it’s beautiful, yet in some ways, the greatest evil of all.
Mara noticed the shadow in the distance, but payed no second thought. She continued her evening enjoying the company of her friends and Nediv. He deceived himself that maybe there was a chance that she liked him, the first time he would have ever had someone, a female, truly like him, but it seemed not to be.
Chapter 10
The following day was the beginning of the march for Artsul. It would take three days to reach the kingdom on foot. Anu-Krai and Monstah remained in Naprador until the army arrived to Artsul, then they would take the Mikasa and lead the battle. The rest of the Knights of Anu would lead the march, the army would walk for most of the day and rest for ten hours on each of the days to ensure they have a reasonable amount of energy to fight. Artsul had prepared for the incoming assault and their scouts would send word when the army was within one day’s walk.
The Artsul population was scurrying around the town in anticipation of the coming conflict. Scouts returned to the Imperial council chambers to warn them of the coming doom. The Imperials began to set up their defences. Scyfer asked for Sonje and a messenger was sent to find him. Sonje arrived at the council chambers to discuss with Scyfer. He entered the chamber and was sitting at the oval desk with the council.
“Sonje, I want you lead our defence. We will attempt to maintain our defence at the forest and prevent them from entering the village. We will be severely outnumbered, and we will need every able body to defend the village when the time comes,” Scyfer said to the group.
“I will attempt to keep them by the clearing in the forest. We will use the treeline for cover and as a marker for the defensive line, they will struggle to break through and we will hold them off for as long as we can,” Sonje responded to the group. The council members were once active Imperial fighters and the best of the best, but their age limited their fighting capabilities now. Scyfer was 52 years old and the youngest of the council members, some of whom were in their 60s. With age comes wisdom. They guided the younger generations through life, offering them valuable knowledge and leadership.
“Good, prepare our forces they will be here within hours, council adjourned,” Scyfer said. People began to scatter out.
“Sonje,” Scyfer said whilst he was exiting the chamber.
“Yes,” he replied, he turned back.
“If you see my son, bring him home,” Scyfer pleaded.
“Uncle,” he responded with compassion, “I don’t think I can. I saw darkness, he isn’t who he was,” he looked at the ground deflated. He left the council chambers. The solemn look of Scyfer remained, his head buried in his rugged hands.
“Sonje!” a commander yelled whilst he passed through the village, “Where would you have us go?” he asked urgently.
“We go deep into the forest, there is a large clearing, they will be forced to come through there if they are to reach the settlements, this was where we will hold them. We will use the treeline as cover and as a defensive perimeter,” Sonje responded with haste. “Go! We go now, they will be here within hours,” he added urgently.
The commander nodded and gave word to the superiors to organise the troops immediately for the defence. Sonje returned home, he lived alone. He prepared his battle garments and armour. He approached his weapon station and attached his blades to the holster around him. Then he clutched the Sword of Anu, still in awe of its appearance and power. He examined the hilt further noticing the various configurations. He activated each of them, one increased the temperature, one decreased the temperature and one appeared to inflict poison on the surface. He’d never seen anything like it. His friend Sting, from the academy entered his home.
“What the hell was that?” he enquired, stunned at the blade in his hand. The temperature modifier was still active, and the weapon blazed.
“Oh, you’re here, I found this a long time ago, amazing isn’t it. It’s a blade used by the gods,” he explained. Slightly surprised that Sting snuck in without him noticing.
“It’s amazing, can I wield it?” Sting continued to badger.
“I don’t think so,” he laughed. “You’ll probably hurt yourself,” he mocked. “We need to get to the forest,” he added. They left Sonje’s home and travelled to the forest with the rest of the Imperial forces.
There were a thousand Imperials present in the village, but they were severely outnumbered by the ten thousand Naprador troops approaching.
Scyfer arrived home and saw his wife Anya preparing weapons and battle garments.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he enquired, interested in why she was preparing armour and weapons.
“I will be defending our home, we are severely outnumbered and need as many people as we can to protect the village,” she responded bluntly. Scyfer smirked whilst he leant on the wooden door frame.
“I admire your courage Anya, but I don’t want you fight, it’s too dangerous,” he responded.
She looked at him sternly. “You know I can protect myself,” she said, she continued her task.
“I know you can.” He left the living quarters and prepared his own weapons and armour for the coming conflict. Anya followed him into the room.
“I will find our son and bring him home,” she said. Scyfer turned to her and they hugged for a few moments.
“You might be the only one who can, please stay safe, I will have to protect the council chambers,” he replied gently, wishing his wife would be safe in the coming conflict. He soon departed to the council chambers.
The women of Artsul were also well-versed in combat and were the strongest women in Agarta. Anya was quite old too, being 46 years old, but she was a warrior at heart and had maintained decent physical shape for her age. She, like Scyfer, was well-respected for her efficiency in combat.
Anu-Krai had a final meeting with the Archon before he and Monstah departed in the Mikasa.
“Krai, I need that sword this time, can I trust you?” the Archon enquired. Anu-Krai stood before him, weapons in hand and armour equipped ready to leave for combat.
“Yes,” he resounded with a hint of anxiety in his voice. Head tipped down.
“I want Artsul destroyed, they will not serve us in our quest, you know that,” the Archon said firmly, analysing the Knight with his obscured, cavernous eyes. Anu-Krai hesitated for a moment.
“Yes,” he repeated, more anxiously. Understanding what it was he must do.
“Conquer Artsul and you will be the greatest human warrior in all of Agarta, more powerful than any Imperial…even Scyfer,” the Archon said enticingly.
He nodded, still looking to the ground distracted.
The Archon continued. “Go, return to me victorious,” he said proudly.
Anu-Krai left the throne room and stood alone in the corridor. He scanned the corridor solemnly. He leant on the wall. His very soul ached from the thought of the future. Monstah approached him from the other end.
“Huma
n, come on, it’s time for us leave.” Anu-Krai moped after him to the Mikasa and they departed for Artsul.
The Imperials stood firm at the treeline, a thick, human wall between the clearing and the village. They could hear the trembling of the ground as 10,000 men marched through the forest in front of them, less than a kilometre away. They remained strong in the face of adversity; their will unhindered by the fact they were outnumbered severely. Most showed no emotion, helmets covered most of the blank expressions. They were true warriors through and through, like Spartans of old.
Sonje hovered on the front line of the defence expecting to see Viden at the front of the enemy sea. There was a slight hum in the air, he glanced up to the source. The Mikasa swooped down and landed in the clearing two hundred metres away from the front line. The men were shocked at the sight, they whispered to one another about the implications of what they were observing.
“Is it the gods,” some said.
“What was happening?”
The ship door opened, the ramp lead to the ground. Sonje walked out bravely to face the occupants, to the apprehension of his troops. Anu-Krai approached the ramp inside.
“If you fall by his hand this time, I will kill you myself,” Monstah snarled at him.
“It will never happen again,” Anu-Krai responded in kind. He walked out to the clearing and witnessed the army before him, Sonje came closer, they were within talking distance.
“Have you come to apologise, or perhaps, beg for mercy?” the Knight snarled aggressively. The three scars on his face looked contorted, evil in the sunlight. Like a deep blackness, a plague, it twisted his soul.
Sonje remained fierce. “No,” he hurled back. “You don’t have to do this Viden.” He was disgusted at first, then guilty.
Anu-Krai discarded the robe he was wearing over his armour. It wavered to the ground, swept by the breeze. He grasped his sword and activated the temperature modifier. Sonje responded similarly, activating the modifier on the Sword of Anu to decrease its temperature. It’s frost versus fire, they darted at one-another dealing heavy strikes. They traded multiple blows as the two armies watched. They stepped back from one-another.