The Shadow of Death

by Timothy Smith

  ────────

  Theo did such a spectacular job at riling up the Aelaans, even Cherise was worried enough to have a hard time finding a positive outlook on the situation.

  Cherise: "Oh, Theo! Must you really get them all worked up like that?"

  He’s going to get himself killed!

  Obi, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction to Theo’s antics, as he started laughing nervously.

  Obi: "…We’re all going to die. I should've known he'd do something like this."

  ────────

  Back on the Aelaan side, Mesolum was restraining himself from lashing out, as he coldly glared back at Theo. Similar to their Emperor, the Aelaans Chosen looked at the arrogant young champion, with bloodlust in his eye. He would never allow such an offense to go unanswered, or unpunished. Outstretching his hands to both his sides, the Chosen yelled out to his army.

  Razkaul: "Silence!! Silence!!" He demanded of his roaring legions of men, waiting for their ruckus to die down so he could speak further to the west’s champion.

  Razkaul: "You fool! Your challenge will be met head on! After you're killed, your limbs will displayed on every corner of these lands that you, and your people, seek to deny us! Long after you’re dead, they will speak of the folly of the young man who stood to oppose the will of the gods! Your very name will be cursed, and the punishment for those who speak; will be a quick death!"

  Wide eyed by such an excessive reaction, but otherwise unfazed by Razkaul’s passionate speech. Theo’s personal grudge again Aelaa got the better of him, as he responded carelessly.

  Theo: "Wow! Is that all?! I guess I was expecting a little bit more!" He said jokingly, smiling in mischievous pleasure.

  In response to his remark, the Chosen grinded his teeth. And looking a little more closely at Razkaul, Theo was surprised to have recognized who he’d been speaking to.

  Razkaul: "You witless vermin! If you desire a quick death, than you shall have it! You will face our champion!" With his hand outstretched, Theo protested the idea.

  Theo: "Wait! I will not only challenge your greatest champion, but how about you as well! The two of you, against me!-" And seeing the reactions from all the Aelaans, Theo explained himself, saying, "-When I came here, I had no idea the Aelaans Chosen was that same scum of the Ehya I'd met years’ ago, until just now!” And seeing that Razkaul was still somewhat surprised, and skeptical of his claim, the champion persisted.

  Theo: “You don't remember me, do you?!" To which the Chosen didn’t show much interest, as he glared back in disbelief.

  Theo then took his finger to his closed right eye, and dragged it along to his ear to match the exact path of Razkaul's scar. In a sudden burst of rage, Razkaul stood up on his horse, and cried out.

  Razkaul: "It's you!!! I should've killed you when I had the chance!" His remarks were to a quick rebuttal from Theo, who loudly replied back.

  Theo: "Well, now’s your chance! What do you say?! Two against one!"

  ────────

  The commotion between the two was even noticed by Raddington on the opposing side of the battlefield, as he said out loud, in disbelief.

  Raddington: "What in the world is he doing?! He's now picking a fight with their Chosen?!" He said unnecessarily, because it was noticed by everyone on his side of the field, who looked on anxiously.

  If there was one thing for certain, without a doubt, it was that Theo could do a marvelous job at riling the Aelaans while at the same time, making his own army panicked. Like pouring oil on a flame in an attempt to quench the fire, Theo being chosen to deliver a message to the Aelaans was certain to bring chaos.

  Why, Theo, why?!... Are you really trying to pick a fight with all of them?...

  She grimaced at the thought, but she couldn’t help herself from being slightly amused at her brother’s antics, even if she was slightly terrified at the possible repercussions.

  CHAPTER 45 – THE FORTRESS

  In contrast to his army behind him, and even the state of his present situation, Theo was brimming with confidence. In fact, he displayed so much courage with his bold challenge, that the Aelaan Chosen was visibly unnerved. With a forced smile, he replied to the young champion’s taunts.

  Razkaul: “The foolish boldness you show, is nothing more than a mask for your insanity. Before long, I will see you cower in fear just like your mother and father.-“ And seeing he struck a nerve with the young champion, the Chosen grinned in wicked delight before continuing, “-Ohhh… You should’ve seen their faces… So truly pathetic.” Theo regained his calm, refusing to give the twisted man any further joy from the memory.

  Inpatient with the unnecessary delay, Mesolum gave Razkaul an irritated look. And somewhat annoyed at the Emperor’s intrusion, but at the same time finding it reasonable, the Chosen frowned before continuing.

  Razkaul: “You'll see that our champion is more than a match for the likes of you! As you yourself have said, this battle will be done in the sight of the gods! They will decide the outcome! And you’ll see soon enough, how they intend to answer your pitiful request!-" He said before laughing, and continuing to speak menacingly, "-Your offense ends here!" The Chosen proudly stated before sitting back done on his horse, noticing the Emperor glaring at him with contempt.

  The Emperor then plainly voiced his disproval.

  Mesolum: "What he's doing is an affront not only to us, but also to the gods. You've been challenged along with our champion. You'll bring shame to the gods, if this challenge is not met!" And looking back nervously to the Emperor, the Chosen responded defiantly.

  Razkaul: "This is of no concern of yours, Mesolum. I have history with the boy, and I want to have a good view of when he’s squeals like a stuck pig.” And seeing he wasn’t convincing enough for Mesolum, he continued.

  Razkaul: “Besides, there’s no point in involving myself. This fool won’t even last a minute against our champion." He said before brazenly scoffing at his Emperor, and finishing with a rather pointed tone.

  Razkaul: "My dear Emperor, I told you before, didn’t I? You will not be rid of me so easily." He said challengingly, but softly enough only a few could hear.

  Ignoring that Mesolum was about to respond to his comment, Razkaul raised his hands to his sides. The Chosen then yelled out loud to the skies.

  Razkaul: "Bring out our champion! Bring out, the Fortress!" The Chosen's proclamation brought thunderous cheers from his army.

  The Aelaan soldier’s cheers changed to that of stomping their feet in unison, as they were chanting out the name of their champion, repeating, "For-tress!! For-tress!!!" The sound and stomping of the multitudes of the Aelaans were so great, that the very ground underfoot was shaking.

  Believing the Aelaans faith in whoever they'd send forward to meet him was unfounded, Theo stood by confident as ever, as he waited for the appearance of his opponent. Theo’s adversary slowly made his way through the ranks of soldiers. As he was coming into sight, Theo's confidence gave way to uncertainty, and uncertainty gave way to an ever growing fear. He stood still as his daunting opponent continued moving forward, paving a way through his fellow soldiers.

  Though one of thousands, the Fortress stood out from amongst their vast army. As he stepped out from amongst his army’s front lines, with a booming voice he shouted the Aelaans previous taunts. Theo could hear his voice over the roaring cries of the Aelaan armies.

  Unable to hide his amazement and uncertainty, Theo gazed in astonishment at his opponent. His adversary was enormous, an inhuman height of nearly ten feet tall, and almost every inch of him was fully armored, with the small exception of the joints between his huge legs, and bulging arms. This massive foe of his also held a mace, larger than that of a full grown man. And etched on his weapon’s metal frame were strange linear designs, which stretched from the handle’s hilt, all the way to the blunted club’s metal end on the opposing side.

  The chanting in the Aelaan ranks gave w
ay to boisterous cheers, as they saw the striking comparison between the two. As if to dishearten him with his imposing stature alone, after coming only ten feet from Theo, the Fortress stopped moving forward before looking down on his challenger with a confident smirk.

  The Fortress looked Theo over, and saw that he was barely an adult. He then spoke in a deep bellowing voice, nearly scoffing while did.

  The Fortress: "Do you seriously think the likes of you can stand against us?-" He asked tauntingly before cursing Theo by his gods, and saying ferociously, "-Come here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!" And finding a renewed courage, Theo stood defiant.

  Theo: "You shouldn't be so sure of yourself! You think you’re facing me alone! But based on past experiences, I may not be the only one you’ll be dealing with." His words gave the Fortress a slight pause in confusion.

  And letting out a good laugh to alleviate his anxiety, the young champion continued.

  Theo: "Really though, what the world have they been feeding you?! It must be a nightmare to find clothes in your size." He joked, which didn't so much as get a response from the hulking giant.

  As the Emperor and Chosen looked on, they couldn't exactly hear the conversation between the two, but Mesolum was amazed at the size of their champion, as he looked over to Razkaul.

  Mesolum: "This is the man they call the Fortress? He's absolutely enormous!" The Chosen looked back with a confident grin, as he displayed his hand out towards the Fortress.

  Razkaul: "Behold, this is the power of my alchemic arts. Not only does it possess the ability to bestow magic, but used properly, it can also increase ones physical powers greatly." He said with a smug expression.

  Razkaul: “Today, you'll bear witness to its incredible potential, first hand. And to think, it only costs the lives of a few slaves to make it so."

  The Emperor was somewhat nervous after hearing the explanation. He knew all too well what the Chosen was eluding to. Growing increasingly impatient, the Chosen yelled out to his champion.

  Razkaul: "Why do you wait?! Do not allow this scum to live any longer! Fortress, show the men of the west your power! Show the world, the power of Aelaa!" The Chosen’s words gave rise to the continued cheers of the Aelaan army.

  After hearing the command, the Fortress started his walk towards his opponent. And making sure he got a word in, Theo casually talked with the giant.

  Theo: "I have to admit, I’m a little interest in what the Chosen’s going to call me next.-“ And seeing his opponent was getting uncomfortably close, Theo quickly stated, “-On the other hand, it's going to be really embarrassing for you all, when it turns out that I’ll be the one coming out on top. But don’t worry, I’ll try my best to make the fight look convincing." And raising his mace in return, the Aelaan responded.

  The Fortress: "You think you're funny, don't you? Well let's see if you can keep laughing with your skull smashed in!"

  As the Fortress said this, his eyes were bursting with the magic blue flame, which Theo had seen before, but never in this magnitude. There was so much pent up energy, it looked as if even the hulking Aelaan champion’s body could barely contain it. As he observed further, the Fortress's mace became enveloped with the same magic flame. Blue fire emerged from his enormous hands, with its flame going all the way through the linear designs, making its way to the tip of the metal club.

  Wide eyed after seeing this, Theo inadvertently showed his true feeling on the matter, as he spoke out loud.

  Theo: "Oh crap…" He said as a gut level reaction.

  With his impressive reach, the Fortress raised his mace up high before sending it crashing down towards Theo. Since his foe was wielding such a massive weapon, Theo was shocked at the speed it was swung, as he barely was able to dodge it. Or so he thought.

  The Fortress’s overwhelming strike slammed down onto the fractured ground, with such a tremendous force upon impact that it sent Theo flying back. The blow sent Theo airborne until he hit the ground several yards back from where the ground was struck. The swing had completely missed Theo, but the giant’s magical abilities had amplified his strike. On impact, the magic shockwave from the Fortress’s attack alone was enough to do real damage.

  From even a missed strike, it was such a devastating blow. Even successfully dodging the attack, it almost took the air out of the young champion. But Theo wasn't about to let this stop him. Picking himself up from the ground quickly, he looked back at the Fortress. He now noticed magic was seeping through his enormous foe’s entire armored frame. At the sight of that, at this point, Theo wasn’t so sure anymore his opponent was even human.

  The Aelaans cheers of their champions name continued only grew with all the more enthusiasm, after seeing how easily Theo was pushed back, merely by a shockwave of the Fortress's strike alone. And with a deep mocking voice, the Aelaan champion spoke again.

  The Fortress: "What's the matter? What happened to that cocky grin of yours?!?” It wasn’t till it was mentioned, did Theo realize he had an obvious expression of fear written all over his face.

  Looking down for a moment to regain his composure, the young man looked back up to his challenger. And showing a renewed courageous grin, he spoke lightheartedly.

  Theo: "Just trying to make it look convincing!" To which, the Fortress was unfazed by his false claim.

  So used to striking fear into the hearts of men, the young champion then did something the Fortress would’ve never expected. After showing his tremendous strength, Theo had the audacity to charge straight at him. Before the giant knew it, they were enthralled in a battle of power, agility, and skill.

  The young champion dodged his opponent’s massive swings, time, and time again. On occasion the Fortress’s strikes slammed the ground, which inevitably ended with Theo being thrown back by merely the shockwaves of the magical attacks. Theo’s nearly unrivaled swordsmanship was looking to be completely undone by his nearly inhuman foe, as their difference in raw strength was far too vast.

  The stark difference between the two facing off was becoming more evident with every renewed attack. And while the situation was looking ever more hopeless by the second, Theo's tenacity was still unwavering. As their fight continued, the Fortress swung an immensely powerful wide strike, which Theo had preemptively expected. Barely dodging the mace by jumping into the air, Theo was about to deal a might blow down onto his opponents helm.

  Seeing that Theo was about to exploit a momentarily weak spot, the Fortress let out a roar. Taking one of his hands off his mace, the giant swung his timber-like arm back, striking Theo mid-air while, as he yelled.

  The Fortress: "Did you really think, it would be that easy!?"

  Although without his weapon, his arm also packed with it incredible magic, enhancing the Fortress’s power as he struck Theo back into the air. Sending him nearly twenty yards away.

  Slamming back hard onto the ground, the young champion was in a daze for a few seconds. Slowly lifting his head, he heard both a mixture of the worried cries from his army as well as the thunderous cries from the Aelaans. Trying to shake off his temporarily disoriented vision, Theo only saw the rough shape of his imposing enemy, who confidently walked towards him to finish the job. From Theo’s perspective, the suns light was blocked by the impressively massive form of the Fortress’s body. It was a sobering reminder of his predicament, and it helped the young man regain a sense of the overall situation.

  With an aching body, Theo mentally prepared himself for the continued struggle, but couldn’t help but groan when he leaned upright. And as he started to pick himself up, he reached for his sword to his side, but nothing was there.

  Desperation quickly set in, as Theo looked all around him, shuffling his hands through the tall grass, unable to find his weapon. The Fortress was right before him, and getting ever closer, carrying with him his ever confident, and taunting grin. The giant of a man spoke again in his deep bellowing voice.

  The Fortress: "What's wrong? Is it just now
finally becoming clear to you?... No one can stand against me in combat, and live."

  The situation was dire, now on his knees, Theo still kept up his frenzied search through the tall grass, looking for any signs of his sword. In his desperation, he even went so far as to completely take his eyes off his opponent in his hasty search.

  As the Fortress continued walking forward, Theo heard his footsteps getting far too close. In a panic, the young man frantically pulled himself back from the giant. Too shaken to get to his feet, the panic-stricken champion crawled on his back, in a desperate attempt to make distance from his adversary.

  The Fortress had his fill of his amusement, and intended to end this game. After seeing his opponent pathetic attempts at fleeing, he quickened his pace.

  When it was certain that the Fortress was going to catch up to him, in that moment for Theo, it seemed utterly hopeless. Then just as before, the same familiar bright light came racing down on top of Theo, a beam of light so bright the sun paled in comparison. But only he could see it.

  And again, the same booming voice spoke out to Theo. So as not to be rushed, time seemed to be standing still, as the voice said.

  The Entity: "YOUR TIME HAS NOT YET COME, THEO. I STILL HAVE PLANS FOR YOU." The mysterious voice spoke with authority, but for some reason, Theo found it also comforting.

  The supernatural intervention seemed to have ended, with no aid given. Still crawling backward, Theo reached back one last time, noticing something.

  The Fortress was about to bring down a mighty finishing blow, as the enormous man lifted his mace over his head. Before the Fortress struck down his weapon, with all his might, Theo threw a large rock he had felt when reaching back that one last time.

  Flying through the air, the stone struck Theo’s giant opponent’s forehead with such force, it lodged his helmet clean off his head. And recoiling in pain, the behemoth of a man held his face in agony, as he let out a low bellowing cry.