by S D Huss
“Dan!” Delmos shouted, getting his attention. “Blast these bastards! Don’t hold back. Use your fire!”
Daniel closed his eyes and raised his hands at the formation. Again, the enemy did their standard defense by bringing up Dunamis enhanced barriers of their various elements. This is one of the reasons why they hadn’t been blasting each other at point blank range. That and the fact that using the Dunamis was extremely taxing to one’s stamina. What they didn’t expect was the crimson flame that burst from Daniel's palms. The blast was so intense that their whole line was blown out of the entrance, and even the Lokkadonian palace guards shielded themselves.
Avria’s eyes widened as she saw the massive display of power. -How?- She thought, -He was not this powerful when we practiced.-
After the initial shock, the Lokkadonian’s cheered and dove to kill their burning and wounded opponents.
“That's it!” Delmos shouted. “Let’s go! We need to rally our defense!”
Avria stabbed her spear down into the throat of a wounded Rexunii warrior and looked back at Daniel. He seemed a bit out of breath from the large attack, but shrugged it off and continued.
Avria, Daniel, Delmos, and their group of palace guards cleared the courtyard and did what they could to help the wounded nobles that were butchered unexpectedly by the attackers. Among the wounded was Phenia of house Vonos, Cato’s daughter. She groaned as they lifted her up, and they saw that she had been stabbed through the leg. She whimpered at the sight of the wound and hid her face in Delmos’ bloody cloak.
“Thank the spirits you’re alive.” He said, “Lord Cato would have never forgiven us if we let you die.”
“We need to move,” Daniel said, looking down into the city below. The vantage point from the elevated palace was always a beautiful view, now all they saw below were explosions of elemental fury, screams, and warriors fighting in the streets.
“Wait…” Avria said, straining her eyes. With a whirl of her hands, the air and light before her began to bend and swirl, until a small vortex appeared before her. It was magnified, and she used it to study the battle below. “By the spirits…” she whispered.
“What?” Delmos asked, “What is it!?” He stepped next to her and peered through the magnified vortex.
“I see Visgo warriors down there… and Sabree… and Volsung! When did this happen!?” Avria’s eyes bulged with confusion. “Why would they do this to us!? And how did they get into Vul De Rah!?”
“A coordinated attack.” Daniel pondered. “They must have been planning this in secret. You mean to tell me our spies didn’t pick up on this? How did four clans sneak up on us like this without being seen?”
◆◆◆
Robert panted heavily, feeling the stinging of sweat dripping in his eyes.
“Rest, my Lord.” Demessa put her hand on his head, doing her best to comfort him. “You have done very well.”
He lifted his head and looked down at the now burning and devastated city. Tears welled in his eyes, and he prayed silently that Katrina was alright.
Alektor stood behind him, looking upon Vul De Rah as well. They were inside the city now, and at the top of one of the tall Espe-Dae temples near the center. Robert had nearly passed out from the exertion in cloaking the massive army that crept to invade the city. But they had succeeded in their plan, and Robert had almost single-handedly brought ruin to those who once called him their guest.
“Contact Captain Richoro,” Alektor said to a runner who stood behind him. “I want the Regios portion of the city quarantined, that is where their military resistance will come from and spread that to the Sabree as well. I don’t want them to bite off more than they can chew and get slaughtered.”
“Yes, your highness.” The runner bowed and made his way down the spire to carry out his order.
“I have waited many years for this moment…” Alektor said, clasping his hands behind his back. “The chance to see the most powerful city in Lokkadonia, crumbling before my eyes. It’s a beautiful sight.”
“You said you would spare the civilians.” Robert croaked, still on his knees.
“I have given that order, Reku. If there is any unnecessary violence toward them, the perpetrators will pay dearly.” Alektor sighed and looked toward the palace, perched on its seat atop a large hill. “Agron is dead? You’re sure of this?”
Robert nodded. “The connection to me was broken when the thrall did what I ordered it to do…”
“So, you don’t directly control them?” Alektor asked, still trying to understand the nature of Robert’s power.
“No… not really. I can sense them, all of them, but it’s strange. Like they have a will of their own but are also a part of me. Oros…” He struggled to say the name. “killed some people in the throne room, Agron…, but that’s all I know.”
“And it looks like we have lost the force that entered the palace,” Yadri said, approaching from a position within the temple. “They were killed by the nobles who were gathered. We tried to hold them up in there, but one of the other humans used… some unnatural abilities, and broke our small blockade.”
“One of the other humans?” Robert asked, his voice starting to regain its strength. “Which one? Was it a male or a female?”
“Male…” She said, sternly. “We lost many good warriors in that attack, I know the chances were slim, but out of the seventy that volunteered, only thirteen made it back.”
“Daniel…” Robert said. “I need to see him! Where were they going?”
“Calm down, Reku,” Alektor said. “I will not allow you to go galavanting around a warzone like this. The safest place for you is here with me. Once we secure the city, we will bring them here.”
“You don’t understand, Alektor!” Robert stood, his legs shaking, and Demessa put her arms out to support him. “This is Daniel! He’s a warrior from our world, and won't likely surrender to anyone. I have to talk to him. He will definitely get himself killed if he is confronted by our warriors.”
Alektor sighed and shook his head in disapproval. “I promised you that I would ensure their safety, and I regret doing so… but my word is my word.” He looked at Yadri. “Escort the Prince to the opposition, and bring your best warriors.” He then turned to Demessa. “I want you to watch him as well. He is in your care… don’t fail me.”
Both women bowed their heads.
“Your Highness?” Yadri asked. “Where will you be? In case we need you.”
He pointed at the large military section of Vul De Rah. “I am going to break their back.”
◆◆◆
Daniel used his blade to block an immense blast of fire. Embers seared the skin on his hands and face, and he grunted to shrug off the pain. The Visgo war-group they were currently skirmishing with had been harassing them for some time from atop structures. Avria wanted to ignore them at first, but when one of the palace guards was skewered by a spike of stone, she turned her rage to them.
“Dan!” Delmos called out, sliding a dead warrior from his blade. “Are you alright!?”
“Fine!” Daniel yelled in return, gritting his teeth and returning the attack with one of his own. Crimson flames belched from his left hand, and all in the direction of the blast seemed to melt. He heard a sickening scream and watched as three warriors crumpled to the stone below.
There was a small pause after his attack, and the shocked Visgo took the opportunity to retreat down one of the many alleys before them.
“Let them go!” Avria commanded. “We don’t have time for this, push forward. We must reach the barracks to join the defense.”
“We have wounded,” Delmos said, kneeling beside one of the injured guards.
“Leave him. We can’t afford to be slowed down by this.” She said coldly.
“What do you mean, ‘leave him’?” Delmos protested. “We have seven wounded here, and three can’t move. I am not leaving them here.”
Avria turned to him, her face a clear indicator she wasn’t goi
ng to accept any questioning of her orders. “It’s either their lives or our city. Get up, and follow me.”
Delmos narrowed his eyes and shook his head. “You are the only one who is truly needed there. Your leadership is what’s important.” He looked at the wounded Lokkadonian palace guards. “I will meet up with our father, who should be escorting the people from the palace out of the city. He will have people who are skilled at healing with him.”
“Delmos,” Avria said sternly. “Leave them!”
“Avria,” Daniel said, chiming in. “Let him take them to your father. We can still make it if we hurry.”
“Daniel, we need his sword, there is only a handful of us left, and we need every advantage we can get.” Avria’s eyes bulged with anger.
“Daniel?” a familiar voice called from down the street.
The party whirled around, brandishing their weapons and assuming combat stances.
There was a shimmer in the air about fifty feet from their position, and twenty Rexunii warriors faded into existence.
Avria extended her hands, and Daniel did the same.
“Wait!” the man in the middle of the formation called out. Daniel paused at the sound of his voice. -it couldn’t be…- He thought. “Robert?” he asked, squinting at the man, who was well dressed. “Is that you!?” Daniel lowered his hands and took several steps forward.
“Daniel! Get back here! Those are Rexunii elite!” Avria yelled in caution.
“Yes,” Robert said, his face one of relief. “I…” his voice cracked, and he could see tears welling in his eyes, “I can’t tell you how good it is to see you again.”
Daniel was speechless, happy to see his friend again, but his vision turned to the warriors at his flanks and he hesitated. “Why are you here with so many warriors?” he asked.
“We are here to ensure Prince Reku’s safety.” One of them spoke; a female, by the sound of her voice.
“Prince… Reku?” Daniel suddenly remembered the briefings he had with Oros about how Robert had been adopted into the King’s family in Rexun. “You’re a part of this? You’re helping them attack us?”
“Not you,” Robert said, realizing this would be more complicated than he first thought. “Just them.” He pointed to Avria. “I came here to get you and Katrina out of here. If you come with me, you will be safe. I know you’ve seen what the Lokkadonians do to people. The Doulos were just the beginning. How they treat the vanquished… is something else.”
“You!” Avria spat. “You helped these people!? After all we did for you!?” Her rage built into a torrent. And she bared her teeth. “So you have decided to side with them?”
“I had to choose,” Robert said, a true conviction in his voice. “It wasn’t easy… but in the end, friends were going to die on either side.”
Avria stepped forward and stretched out her hand again. “I should kill you for this.”
“Daniel, I think I found a way to get home!” Robert said quickly.
Daniel looked up at him, intrigue in his mind. “You, what?”
Robert nodded vigorously. “Yes, we have someone who is studying it right now. And they think they’ve gotten close. If you come with me, we might be able to finally get home.”
Daniel paused for a moment and saw Avria look at him. Her eyes were filled with many intense emotions: shock, sorrow, hatred, fear; all seemed to pour out as she looked him in his own. “I can’t abandon these people either.” he finally said. “It looks like we chose different sides, Rob.” He raised his weapon and pointed it at the other human. “You haven’t won yet.”
Avria turned toward them and did the same.
Robert’s eyes darkened and his face sagged. “No…, please. I’m begging you. Dan! You have to come with me! And where’s Katrina? Why isn’t she with you?”
“She’s safe,” Daniel replied. “She’s with Boros.” He knew the words would sting, and it seemed appropriate to him.
Suddenly there was a booming voice that broke the conversation. “Human…” it was the familiar roar of the gargoyle looking spirit Gro’ak. And once again, Daniel felt that same pit in his stomach. “You have gone too far…” the strange form grew from the ground between the two forces and looked directly at Robert. “You have brought this war into our lands… and threatened the lives of your friends?”
Everyone on the Lokkadonian side froze in fear and astonishment. Gro’ak, an ancient spirit, had taken this moment to intervene on what looked like their behalf.
Robert didn’t flinch, only narrowed his eyes at him.
“Gro’ak…” A harsh and vicious voice echoed as well. The sound sent a shiver down Daniel’s spine, and he watched as another spirit formed beside Robert. She was the size of a human, but had no eyes, and was shrouded in what looked like a cloak and cowl made of black smoke.
“You…” Gro’ak seemed to freeze at the sight of this other spirit, and Daniel looked again at her. Anything that could make Gro’ak pause must be extremely powerful. “You aren’t supposed to be here…”
Suddenly both of them disappeared into thin air.
Both sides were left stunned and in silence after the strange exchange.
Robert looked to his right at one of his guards. “Get Daniel, in one piece please,” he warned.
Avria lifted her weapon. “Get out of here, Daniel. Go with Delmos, and get back to my father! We will hold them off.”
“What? No way. I’m not leaving you here to fight these assholes alone.” Daniel protested.
“Go!” She yelled, and electricity started to shriek around her.
Delmos grabbed Daniels shoulder and stood beside him. “I’m not going anywhere either, so you better accept it.
Avria didn’t respond, she only slashed her weapon forward and launched a massive wave of electricity that shrieked its way toward the Rexunii. The blast tore the stone from the ground and shattered the walls of the buildings on either side of the street. Daniel gaped at the display of power and watched as the Rexunii worked together to block it.
There was a bright explosion and a screech as the two opposing powers collided. Then screams could be heard as the light faded. Avria leaped forward with her spear in hand. Delmos and Daniel did the same, along with the remaining fifteen warriors of the Palace guard that were able to stand and fight.
The Rexunii had quickly formed a collective defensive barrier to absorb the majority of the attack, but several who were on the sides, where the barrier was weakest, were torn apart. Avria aimed her spear at Robert as she descended, but was blocked by two of the warriors at his flanks. Robert flinched at the advance and stumbled back.
“Prince Reku, get out of here! Let us handle this!” One said.
The rest of the Lokkadonian warriors clashed into their defensive line, and again they found themselves in a chaotic battle in the middle of the street. Daniel swung his sword at one of the Rexunii and met his blade in a thud. Blasts of energy deafened him, and a faint voice in the back of his head cursed his already wounded ears.
Delmos had already slain one of the warriors and flew with a Dunamis-enhanced blade straight into the next one. The man Daniel faced swung his weapon at him eagerly, but he could tell he wasn’t trying to kill him. -They want me alive- he thought to himself. Taking advantage of that fact, he pressed forward, focusing his power into his left hand, and slamming it into the chest of the Dae. He grunted and flew back into the warriors behind him, knocking Robert to the ground.
◆◆◆
Avria fought hard against the two guards, both of them female, and trying with all of their might. They were not average warriors by any means, using powerful and precise techniques to enhance their abilities, and attempted to overpower her. Avria screamed in anger as they tried to stab her at the same time. An eruption of power sent their blades to the side, and she swung her spear in a broad arch, trying to cut them both down. The tip of her blade dug into the abdomen of one, and she groaned in pain as blue blood gushed from her wound.
&nb
sp; “Yadri!” the other yelled, as she drove her weapon again at Avria. With the tip still embedded in Yadri’s stomach, Avria lifted the shaft of her spear to block the attack. The terrible movement brought the wounded woman to the ground, and she screamed in pain as the blow from the other drove the spear deeper into her.
Avria reached her hand out and grabbed the face of the remaining Rexunii guard. Screaming, a burst of electricity blasted her point blank, and her head shot back, sending her to the stone below.
Suddenly Avria found herself being flung back and into one of the stone buildings. Her head was foggy, but she saw black streaks of wind streaming past her. Angrily she looked up to see Robert kneeling beside the downed guard, trying to revive her.