by D L Colon
There is an intense anger evident in his eyes and with each step he takes the souls of the dead respond to his call. A call he hasn’t realized his anger is making. When he is almost upon the church, Blake closes the door and waits.
******
As Noryad approaches the church, anger runs through his body, calling more souls of the dead to follow him. They don’t follow him because he forces them, they follow him because they want to serve their King. He has decided that Blake will pay for what he has done to the soul of his mother and for following Coral, even if it was on the orders of Albert. He will make sure he sends a clear message to Albert, who wants to make sure he stays away from Coral, that he won’t do as Albert wants. Being the maverick he has always been known for being, Noryad has decided that it’s time to take what is his; to claim his throne, claim the sword of Kings and his heritage, and claim Coral as his own, thus keeping her Kingdom safe from Albert.
These thoughts carried him to the front of the church where Nohar is waiting for him. “Make sure no one enters until I come out.” He orders.
Nohar bows slightly and responds, “Yes, Milord.”
Noryad enters the church and sees Blake on the other side facing him, with the soul of his Mother, Urlah. He has her by the throat as he looks Noryad in the eyes and says, “Don’t move, Mr. King. If you move I will kill her.
Noryad detects the hint of lie from Blake and searches for the source of it. When he spots the knife in Blake’s hand and laughs humorlessly, “Let me guess. You don’t have the ability to kill someone with your powers, but if you are using a weapon in combination with them then it is possible. Am I right, Blake?”
Shock registers across Blake’s face, causing Noryad to smile as he releases his power. Blaze’s attention is drawn to Noryad as he starts to manipulate the shadows and create identical images of himself. Blake releases his grip on Urlah and pulls a sword from behind his back as he starts running toward one of the Noryads, hitting one of the ethereal forms and causing it to disappear.
Noryad laughs and applauds his attempt. “I know you can do better than that, Blake, but now you will face me.” Blake turns in the direction of Noryad’s voice and watches as, one by one, the ethereal forms start to dissipate until the only real Noryad is left facing him.
Noryad has called all the ethereal forms back to his body. Now he is facing Blake, and the sword that could destroy his soul, alone. Holding his staff-sword in his hand, Noryad moves into a fighting position and throws a blast of magic at Blake, which Blake easily evades. Blake starts running toward Noryad in a zigzag pattern to evade Noryad’s power blasts and once he is within fighting distance their swords clash.
Blake, in hopes of distracting Noryad, starts taunting him. “You are no better than me and that’s why you will never be with Coral.”
Fury and anger fuels Noryad, making his attacks more obvious and giving Blake the chance he needs to attack. After receiving a cut to his arm and leg Noryad hears a voice in the back of his mind: Stay focused, my son. Think rationally and don’t let your emotions control you. That is not how a King must be…
The moment those words register in Noryad’s head he brings himself to a complete stop. Blake, seeing this, decides to head for the kill and starts running directly at Noryad. Noryad coming back to his senses realizes too late that Blake is heading to kill him and knowing that he won’t be able to block the attack with his sword, and that it is too late to create a barrier, turns so the sword impales his side rather than his abdomen, which would have been fatal. Thanks to the armor the cut is not deep, but he knows some of his ribs are broken.
Noryad evades the next attack and uses his staff-sword to slash Blake on the back, making him buckle, but he recuperates quickly. Noryad and Blake circle each other, catching their breath, and Noryad uses his healing powers to start mending his ribs, knowing that it may not make a difference considering the fight is still happening.
As they continue to circle Noryad starts creating swords with his power and making them spin and head straight toward Blake, forcing Blake to defend himself. Noryad continues to do this as he walks toward the souls of the dead that are trapped. Blake realizes Noryad’s intentions and moves toward the souls as well. Being closer to them he is reaching them faster than Noryad. As he watches Blake, Noryad sees that one of his magical swords is heading for the souls so he shifts its direction and sends it through the window, shattering it and allowing moonlight to flood the interior of the church.
Before Noryad realizes what is happening, the church is filled with nobles who were supposed to be killed off long ago, but they are alive and they howl like wolves. The leader of them bows in reverence to Noryad and says, “We are sorry for the delay, My King. We have come to serve.”
Chapter 25
Blake and Noryad are both shocked by the interruption of the battle. Noryad regains his composure first and addresses the newcomers. “Rise, whomever you may be.” The figure with long grey hair, dark caramel eyes, and the body of a young man, but is as wise as one who has been many centuries on earth, rises and smiles at Noryad, showing his canine teeth. “I know you have just arrived, but can you wait for a moment while I finish this?”
The stranger nods before speaking, “Certainly, Milord. We will wait and we will not interfere.”
Noryad turns to Blake, “You don’t have to fear, they won’t interfere with the fight. This is our fight.” Before Blake can respond Noryad uses his power to snatch Blake’s sword from his hands and hands it to one of the newly arrived guests. Then he hands his to the one he was talking to.
Blake smiles at this and says, “You are so stupid. Your clothes are heavy and they will slow you down. You are going to be killed by my hands, they are all I need to take you out.” As soon as he’s finished speaking Blake starts running toward Noryad. Noryad does the same and when they reach each other they both throw a right punch. Both of their fists connect, and since they both threw their powers behind the blow, sending them both back a few steps. Blake recovers first and starts throwing punches, kicks and elbows. Noryad evades, but feels how Blake’s power runs through his body with each punch.
After a few minutes of evading, Noryad finally sees the opening he’s been waiting for. He jumps and punches Blake straight in the middle of his mouth and nose, knocking him to the floor. Once he is on the floor he kicks his ribs, making Blake lose his breath. Noryad walks back to get Blake’s sword, exposing his back to Blake. Blake jumps up to attack Noryad, but before Noryad could do anything to stop it the man with the long grey hair moves to protect Noryad.
Moving faster than Noryad expected, he grabs Blake by the throat. With a lethal glow in his eyes he lifts Blake by his throat with one hand, making Blake lose his breath and his consciousness. Noryad, not wanting Blake dead, tries to stop it, but the man continues holding Blake. “Do not worry, Milord, this will not kill him. It will merely make him lose consciousness.”
Noryad looks at Blake and sees that he has stopped moving, but he is still breathing. Noryad lets out a breath he didn’t know he held and grabs his staff-sword. When he grabs Blake’s sword he’s suddenly all alone with a voice speaking into his mind: At last, my rightful owner has come to claim me. I am Nightfall, Sword of the First Necromancer, King Darius. Take me to war Noryad King. Only I can serve when your soul is not with your body. I am the only sword that can achieve that purpose and soon this fight will not be with your human body, but with you soul.
Noryad feels as if his body is being marked by an unknown hand. When he looks at his right forearm and sees a dragon is being etched into his skin and a different voice fills his head; Take this sword, Necromancer. Your fight is not only with your body, but with your soul. Some fights will require you to use your soul on the battlefield, fighting enemies those under you can’t see, but they can feel. Make sure to look for those who serve behind the shadows, they are called Behemoth.
Noryad returns to himself and sees that everyone is looking at him curiously. He
ignores them and pulls up his sleeve and sees that a dragon is now on his right forearm. Noryad looks at it for a second before looking at everyone else and says, “It seems I have found the Sword of the First Necromancer.”
The man with the grey hair looks at Noryad’s forearm and sees the mark and bows, “Nightfall, the Sword of the First Necromancer, King Darius, which was lost years ago. I didn’t need any more proof that you were our King, but now there’s no doubt. We had a prophecy that said: Only the one who bears the dragon on his right forearm will guide you into battle to defend the Kingdom.”
Noryad doesn’t know the prophecy, but as soon as he hears the words the prophecy flashes through his head. It is being said by King Darius. Noryad looks at the man with grey hair and says, “I have to look for Behemoth.”
The man with the grey hair smiles and says, “No, my liege, Behemoth has found you,”
Chapter 26
Noryad is surprised by what he just learned. “Can you tell me your name?” He asks the man who saved his life.
The stranger bows respectfully and answers, “Of course, my liege. My Name is Xandar, Leader of Behemoth.”
“Thank you, Xandar, for saving my life. I am Noryad King, last remaining member of the King family and I need for one of you to make sure Blake doesn’t escape.”
As soon as those words leave his lips an intense pain runs through his body. Noryad flinches at the intensity of the pain and touches his ribs, the source of the pain. Xandar, seeing the look of agony on Noryad’s face calls to one of his men, “Gray, make sure Blake doesn’t leave this church.”
Gray nods, gets a length of binding rope from his belt and ties Blake up with it as Xandar approaches Noryad to help him. Noryad stops him and continues to walk toward the souls being held captive in the church. Flinching from pain as he walks he uses his body and breaks the barrier that is keeping them contained. As soon the barrier is down the souls are released and they disappear, not saying anything to Noryad, to go and check on their loved ones. As he watches the souls disappear shots of pain run through his body, causing him to double over.
Xandar reaches out a hand and steadies Noryad. “Milord, let us help you. Your body has lost its adrenaline rush and the pain will only intensify the more you push yourself.”
Noryad knows what Xandar is saying is true, “You are right. Will you take me to my room after I make sure every soul around the church leaves?”
Xandar nods and Noryad mentally contacts Nohar; Nohar, I am fine. Make sure everyone leaves the church. Also, we have some unexpected guests.
Noryad sends Nohar an image of Xandar and Nohar responds; Yes Milord, we will make sure everyone leaves the church.
Noryad breaks communication with Nohar and turns to Xandar. “I need to recover and rest now. We can talk later today, after I get up and my wounds have healed.”
“Yes, Mr. King. Those who came with me need to rest, too, so it’s a good idea.”
Noryad looks through the window of the church towards the horizon when he blacks out and starts to fall. Xandar, moving fast, catches Noryad and carries him to his room. Noryad awakens as they reach his room and Xandar gently places his feet on the floor outside his door. Noryad opens the door to his room and Xandar and his men head back to the church.
Coral is awake when he enters and she immediately sees that he is hurt, but all Noryad says is, “Need rest,” before he collapses to the floor, closes his eyes and loses consciousness. Coral uses her powers to gather him and place him on the bed, but before she takes off his armor and clothes, she sets on the bed and looks at him. She notices the wound on his ribs, but she can’t do anything about it because she does not have the power to heal.
Noryad is sweating, his powers are surrounding him, healing him, and Coral can’t leave his side. Worry has gotten control of her and she is wondering what happened while she was asleep.
Afternoon
Noryad is slowly waking up and trying to access the state of his body when he notices he has a wash cloth on his ribs. As he tries to get up, his body is sore and it is difficult for him to move, but he manages to pull himself into a half seated position on the bed when he sees Coral coming out of the bathroom.
She sees Noryad trying to get up and she runs to help him, but he raises his hand, not wanting her help. She watches as Noryad continues moving until he is standing up, and she continues to watch as he stretches himself and starts walking toward her. She rakes her gaze over his naked body and desire fills her eyes. He stops in front of her, her face level with his chest, and he tilts her head up so their eyes lock as he lowers his head and kisses her. She returns his kiss with a fierce desire as she winds her arms around his neck.
Noryad breaks the kiss and looks into her eyes, “How are you feeling, my Goddess?”
Coral feels a chill run down her spine as a wave of intense happiness at his words flows through her, but she doesn’t let it reflect in her eyes as she replies, “I have been worried about you since you came to the room all bruised up and with that nasty wound on your body.”
“Coral, let me take a shower then we have a few things to talk about. I have some unexpected guests that need our attention at the moment.” Noryad says to her then he kisses her forehead and walks into the bathroom. A few minutes later Noryad comes out of the bathroom and immediately starts dressing in his royalty clothes.
Once he is dressed he turns to Coral and notices that she is wearing a silver chiton dress that caresses her body. He instantly grows hard at the sight of her in that dress. He closes the distance between them, pulls her into an embrace and captures her mouth in a slow, deep kiss, leaving her breathless. He grins wickedly at her as he looks into her desire filled eyes and says, “I would love to see what’s under that dress, but we have to meet with the gentleman I met last night during my fight at the church. Let’s walk to the Throne Room as I contact Nohar to bring them to me.”
They walk out of the room and Noryad closes his room, sealing it with his powers. He grasps Coral’s hand as he walks toward the Throne Room and contacts Nohar: Nohar, can you bring Xandar and his man to the Throne Room? Ask them to bring Blake and Nightfall with them, too.
Nohar responds instantly: Yes, Milord, I can ask them.
With that Noryad turns his attention to Coral as he tells her what happened while she was asleep so she can have an idea of who they are talking to when they arrive at the Throne Room.
Chapter 27
Noryad and Coral arrive at the Throne Room first and Noryad looks at the Throne, knowing that once he completely claims it he will be leading everyone to war. A war that he has no idea when it will come to them, because the war is happening back home in The Lost City at the moment, but he knows something is approaching in the months to come. He also knows he doesn’t have the liberty to choose to walk away from everything. He knows many people are depending on him and many of the souls will be going with him to war. Because of his powers the souls can fight against their enemies now. What he doesn’t know is if Behemoth will be with him or against him.
He shakes this thought from his head, knowing he will know soon enough, and walks toward the Throne. Once he is seated he motions for Coral to take the Queen’s Throne. She hesitates because of what this could bring and looks at him. He sees the worry in her eyes and tries to reassure her, “Coral, this doesn’t say that you are my queen. This is simply an act of respect to the nobleman that will be here in a bit.”
At his reassurance Coral calms down and walks toward the Queen’s Throne beside Noryad and sits down. After a few minutes of sitting in silence Xandar and his men walk in, one of them is carrying Blake over his shoulder and they are surrounded by Nohar and the souls of the Elite Guard of the Royal family. Once they are inside Nohar excuses himself and disappears.
Xandar and his men drop to their knees, kneeling in respect to the King and Noryad says, “Rise, there is no need for these formalities.” Xandar rises with his men and they smile, showing their canine teeth.
> Once they are standing Noryad starts speaking. “Xandar, you said that Behemoth has found me, but what exactly is Behemoth? Oh, and thank you for bringing Blake and Nightfall with you.”
Xandar looks at him for a moment before he replies, “My liege, Behemoth is not a title, it is merely the term for our race. We have served the King family in the shadows for years. Not all of them have been worthy, there has been a few who were tyrants, and since we aren’t forced to serve a King, we chose not to. I have been the leader of my race for centuries and I have seen what every King has to offer, until twenty-four years ago. We heard news that the strongest member of the King family was going to be born and we went to your Father, the King at the moment, and asked if he would let us see you. Your Father, trying to protect you, didn’t let us see you that day, but we kept a close watch over you as you grew. On the day of the attack we were home with our families, but when we heard the cries from within the Castle we knew it was time to protect you, even if we did not know what kind of ruler you would be. We arrived too late to save you though. By the time we got here the King Family was killed and you were nowhere to be found. Your Father, on his last breath, asked us to wait for you. He told us that you would come back to claim the throne, and you did.”
Xandar pauses and takes a minute for Noryad to let that all sink in before he continues. “Now I will tell you what Behemoth is and why we are called that.” Xandar gets a faraway look in his eyes and starts talking in a distant voice, “Long ago, the First Necromancer and King from the King Family, King Darius, was forced to execute a group of nobles that were charged with treason for killing a lycan, a sacred animal within the Kingdom, while protecting the King. I decided to take the fall, but those who were with me couldn’t let me do it and they talked about their part on what we did. The King knew why we did it, and he was grateful to us, but he couldn’t be linked to us so in the Throne Room he acted as if he did not know us as he handed down the sentence; ‘You have pled guilty to the charges of treason for killing a sacred lycan. You will be executed for your crime tomorrow morning at first light.’ During the night King Darius came to visit us and apologized for what he had to do. He told us that he is forever grateful to us and we implored him to save us. He thought for a few moments before he spoke again, ‘I have a solution, but you will forever be changed.’ Knowing that this was our only way out, we took the offer and King Darius went on to explain that he would perform a ritual that would make us stronger, faster, have super hearing and be practically immortal, but the set-back was that with the first full moon after the ritual we would have the appearance of the lycan we killed. We would retain complete control of our bodies, but we had to fight the transformation to be able to remain human and not be forced to forever take the lycan form. There were eight of us originally, but only seven of us survived. During the ritual we could feel the changes in our bodies, the pain was intense and we all almost succumbed to it. Once the ritual was complete I was made the Alpha of the group and we were told that our eyes would forever glow in the night. We were also told that we could pass this new found power by blood, but there was a covenant that would bind us to the King we chose to serve. King Darius gave us the prophecy of the one with the dragon mark on his forearm and his sword. What we didn’t know was the ritual required a sacrifice and it had to be a King. King Darius, our friend and leader, died later that night and we mourned his death like no other before him.”