(Manav punched Leonce on his nose)
This is for backstabbing me at war, said Manav.
Hey!! What do you think you’re doing said Leonce.
(Manav once again punched Leonce’s nose)
This is for drinking the excess toxin, said Manav.
Hey!! Wait..! Stop…! Stop….! What are you doing here, have the empyreans captured you too, asked Lee.
Capturing….! Hahaha!!! They were the ones that saved us from death. If they hadn’t treated us at the right time, you wouldn’t have woken up this morning. Said Manav (Once again knocking him down with a punch). This is for fighting against your best friend Ameer.
(Blood spurted out from Lee’s nose)
Oooohhh!! That hurts, you idiot. Oooohhh!! Did you mention the word toxin, asked Lee.
Yes, you heard me right but you gulped it down and even relished it like it was some dessert, said Manav.
Then, it wasn’t really a nightmare, all those things did truly occur, have we lost our scepters, asked Lee.
Yes, they conspired so well and grabbed the scepters. Now, they are the Lords of Empyrea, said Manav.
Then, they are likely to approach Armania any time now. We need to protect these people from them, said Lee.
(Manav once again punched Lee on his nose)
Ooooohhh!! Ooooohhh!! Listen, you need to stop doing that unless you want to see me bleed to death, said Lee bleeding.
This is for waking up so late. We have already started the process and taken necessary steps to safeguard these people.
What you mean by we, are you speaking about Royston, asked Leonce.
Yes, that’s right, he is included as well but I was referring to Ameer. He is training the empyrean people over there, said Manav and pointed in that direction.
At a distance, Ameer was speaking with an empyrean kid and sharing his experience in using the sword.
Ebinav! At this young age, why do you prefer to become a sword fighter, why not archery? I will teach you how to handle the bow and arrow, said Ameer.
NO, I want to be a sword fighter and win this battle face to face with the opponent. I will turn 14 tomorrow, said Ebinav.
Ok, come with me.
(Ameer took him to the place where a variety of swords were placed)
Ebi, there are different types of swords here, pick one among these. But first, you need to decide what purpose the sword will serve for. Consider the look of the sword, the shape of the blade and hilt. And most importantly, you have to pick a sword to match your fighting style.
Do you prefer to lunge rather than slash? Maybe consider choosing a rapier or a gradually tapering arming sword. Both are designed with lunging in mind, said Ameer.
NO, I prefer to slash rather than lunge, said Ebinav.
Hmm ok! Then go for the falchion, scimitar or sabre. They have only one sharp edge and curve for a better strike, said Ameer.
This is so heavy, said Ebi lifting a falchion.
Then consider a two handed sword. It's long and not necessarily heavy either, perfect for using both hands dedicated to parrying and striking with additional leverage, said Ameer.
This is perfect for me, said Ebi.
Ok kid, let’s get to action, the first thing you need to remember in a sword battle is winning, because in the real battle there is no second chance, you win or you die.
Then I’ll charge and make some sweeping strikes in the beginning itself, said Ebi.
No..! You need to relax. Let me tell you how it’s done. You need to anticipate your opponent’s move. When he thinks he’s got you under his skin you must make every effort to stay calm. Observe his movements and learn when he moves in to attack and then you launch a counter strike. Be quick, when you parry you keep the blade close to you, so you don't stretch out to block and always be ready to counter your opponent’s attack. Your footing is the key to balance. The more the sole of your feet touches the ground, the more grounded you are giving you greater momentum in your attacks. To keep your balance, try to slide your feet rather than lifting them up and stepping, said Ameer.
Hmmmm, I don’t think I quite understand, said Ebi.
Ok, then shall we get practical then, asked Ameer.
Yes, I am ready, said Ebi.
Why are you standing so uncomfortably, loosen your muscles and pace your breathing. If you are uptight, you cannot be swift which can be fatal, said Ameer.
Under Ameer’s training, Ebi started to move his sword so well.
(Both of their swords clashed)
Each one may use a different type of sword, how do I handle if my opponent has a different sword, asked Ebi.
(Ebi swung his sword at the knees of Ameer but he jumped and knocked ebi's head)
The trick is to maintain distance. If you have a shorter sword, get in close and stay within his grip. If you are using a long sword, keep your distance. If it’s about the same size, stay where it would take only one large step forward to attack. Keep distance in mind because your height, sword length, sword style, and fighting style all affect your strike, said Ameer.
At the battle place, there won’t just be one opponent, how will I manage, will you be with me, asked Ebi.
(Ameer made casual moves to Ebi's aggressive moves)
Sure, I will. It’s impossible to avoid fighting with more than one person and so when you do end up fighting many opponents, try to maneuver in such a way that leads them to interfere with each other and this in turn will give you some leverage to deal with each one individually, said Ameer.
(Their swords clattered and gave a brave noise)
You are moving your sword so well but remember that every part of your sword is a weapon, including the point, each edge, the hand guard, and the pommel. Along with this, your body is a weapon and anything and anyone around you can be a weapon. There is no reason a sword fight should be restricted to your blade. Use whatever you can to win. Conserve your energy. It is well-known among veterans that a fight to the death takes an incredible amount of effort, so don't waste your time with fancy maneuvers or unnecessary motion. Your survival depends on this, advised Ameer.
When I grow up, I like to be a great hero like you, said Ebinav.
(Lee and Manav came to place)
If you need to become a hero, you need to grow stronger, practice well. I will come back, responded Ameer.
What Mr. Leonce, are you satisfied with the Empyrean food!!! Or do you need the toxin from your darling Kraity, kidded Ameer.
Ufffff!! Don’t need the toxin anymore!! I am happy with the food, said Lee.
Hahaha!!! Did Royston return! Could we start the war plotting, pleaded Ameer.
No!! He and Ejeeth would be returning only late night, but before they return we need to lay out the plans because we don’t know when the Tyrant family will attack us, said Manav.
Ok fine!! Let’s go to the Emra temple. Deva would have sketched the entire map of Empyrea along with the possible plan of attack on the Tyrant family, said Ameer.
Oh great work, said Manav.
Excuse me!! Who is Deva, who is that new guy, asked Leonce.
I will introduce him to you, he is our new friend, said Ameer.
The three of them along with some empyreans went to the Emra temple where their new friend had sketched the map of Empyrea and also plotted possible attacks on Tyrant’s family. When these people went to the sun temple, the new friend Deva was busy fixing the clay dolls in their war positions.
Leonce! Do you see a human who is sitting and turning over there at the pond, that’s our new friend Deva, said Manav pointing towards Deva while entering the temple.
I can’t see his face, can you call him, said Lee.
Ok, I’ll call him, but you would find it difficult to speak to him once you see him, said Ameer.
Ameer called out to Deva, and he turned towards them. When Deva turned towards them, Leonce was fully mesmerized looking at Deva’s face.
(Deva came near to trio)
What about R
oyston, why didn’t he come? asked Deva.
Royston has gone out with Ejeeth. They would be coming only by night, said Manav.
Is the war plan ready, asked Ameer.
Yes, it’s done. All set with the strategies but right now I’m feeling awkward with Leonce staring at me like that, said Deva.
Hey, Leonce..! Are you shocked seeing a human just like you? This is Deva. He is the one that rescued you from the dark toxin, said Ameer.
Hahaha!! That’s not true. Leonce is the one that has gifted this new life to me. I am so happy to be on the peaceful side.
(Leonce touched the face of Deva)
I can’t believe my eyes; How in the world do you look just like me? Are you my brother by any chance? asked Leonce.
I’ll give you the answer for that. A female voice came from the temple’s pond, and that was godmother Isis.
(Everyone went near the pond and bowed down )
God mother!! Leonce is eagerly waiting for your answer, said Manav.
( Isis Chuckled)
Leonce!! You haven’t seen Deva before, and there is no blood relationship between you and him, but there is a special bond, he is the one who saved you from death, said Isis.
Hearing these words of god mother Isis, Leonce shook hands with Deva and expressed his gratitude.
Thanks a lot for saving me, you not only saved me from death but also made me realize who my true friends were. Moreover you saved me turning into a dark warrior. If that would have happened, it would have been the biggest punishment given by god to me, said Lee.
Hold on a second, if turning into a dark warrior was a punishment to you then turning into a human is a punishment for Demontus, I mean for Deva, said Ameer.
Hahaha! Not a punishment, he gave me new life. When I was a dark warrior, I was over 5000 years old but now as a human I have been given the gift of youth too, said Deva.
Ok fine. I need to have a word with Leonce, Could I, asked god mother Isis.
Yes mother, we shall take leave.
(Except Leonce everyone went to check the war plan)
Leonce!! I know your heart, you’re an affectionate and caring person towards your friends but the past one week you have been wavering because of your desire for wealth. You of all the people must know that people matter more than wealth. If you are alive today it’s not wealth that saved you but Deva who unfortunately happens to be your opponent. Yes, he is a dark warrior but he saved you without any personal expectations. He thought you deserved a peaceful life, said Isis.
But, god mother!! Deva looks like a normal human being, how could he be the dark warrior, asked Lee.
It’s because of your blood Leonce, Demontus knew he would turn to human once he sucked his blood back but he did whatever he did for your welfare, to save your life, said Isis.
If he knew all of this then why did he do what he did, I feel guilty, said Lee.
That’s his fate, that’s what he was born for. But unfortunately, his death is not in his hands. You need to help him die, said Isis.
Die!!! Why would I do that, are you telling me to kill him, NO I won’t!! He has given me another chance to life itself, how could you think I could even do something like that, said Lee.
I am not telling you to kill him Leonce, what you don’t know is that the dark warriors won’t die until they get a death order from their master. The master of Demontus is Tyrant. You need to get that death order for Deva and help him reach heaven, said Isis.
Alright in return for what he did to me, I will do this.
Ameer interrupted heir conversation and said, God mother, it’s getting late. The war plans are ready, shall we begin? Godmother nodded.
Fine, godmother!! I will take care of this task, said Lee and went to check the war plans.
The war plans had been plotted keeping in mind that the war would be happening the next day at Armania.
Let me take you through what we’re dealing with here. At the south, Tyrant would be fiercely marching towards us with his powerful dino army. At the west, his son Pitheceus will be attacking us with his furious apes and vicious vathroos. At the north, Tyrant daughter Kraity will be targeting us with her Naga troops from Nagamalya. And speaking about their manpower, the count of infantry vathroos, Nagas and Dinomen are more than 150,000, other than that we need to deal with 5000 head slaughtering Velox back warriors, 4000 fastest vathroo chariots, 3000 massive Triceratop back forces, 4000 venomous snakes and 2000 flying Quetzalcoatlusback archers, said General Edrick.
What’s our strength? asked Ameer.
We have 34000 infantry empyrean soldiers, 3000 mastodon back warriors and 2000 archers, said Edrick.
Continue, said Manav.
That’s all we have on our side, said Edrick.
That won’t do!! What about the Rhinorios and the creatures in Falconnia, asked Leonce.
Falconnia has more number of troops than any other region. It has got the strongest 35,000 infantry Rhinorios, 15,000 rhino back riders, 5,000 saber tooth tigers, and 2,000 falcon back archers. But unfortunately these people and creatures won’t support us because that scepter is still in the coffin box. Until prince Horus comes back with his scepter those Falconnian people won’t support us, said Edrick.
Then, are you saying we need to defend Armania with only 10% of strength compared to the opponent’s army, asked Manav.
(Nodded Edrick)
Defending or attacking won’t help us. If we need to win, we need to grab the scepters from them. Otherwise, their powers can’t be controlled and they have 3sceptres while we only have one. If Prince Horus returns with his scepter too, we will have only 2sceptres. Facing the army from three different regions on different sides at the same time isn't a piece of cake. We need to make some strategies to win this war and save Empyrea, said Lee.
Speaking about strategies, you three haven’t made any strategies in the falconnian war. Though we empyreans did not participate in the war we prayed to our god Emra and Emla for all of you because if anyone had died in that war the Tyrant family would have conquered the whole of Empyrea now but luckily lord Royston realized his powers and stopped the war. Moreover, our opponents have the strongest formations. They cannot be defeated without any strategies, said Edrick.
Formations!! Are you referring to their transformation potential, asked Manav.
No!! I am speaking about their war Arrays. I have heard about their strongest arrays from my ancestors. These three have the strongest and undefeatable war formations ever.
The array of Pitheceus will be like a scorpion, the array of Kraity will be that of a snake, last but not the least the array of Tyrant will be a flying dino Quetzalcoatlus. In all these arrays, these three people will be at the eye level of their formation.
We cannot reach them without any strategies. We need to make an array which could defeat all these, at least our array should defeat the Pitheceus scorpion, after that we could defeat Kraity’s snake with the scorpion and then the Quetzalcoatlus with the snake. But, My fear is about their transformational powers, you people did not use your powers fully. Tyrant and his children will take on an incredible transformation in the war, said Edrick.
Scepters of Empyrea Page 32