A surge of adrenaline hit his body as he reached for his battle sword. “Ring true this day,” he whispered and kissed his father’s blade.
A few minutes later, the second and final round of fire sailed into the distance. They heard the faint boom of its impact. The area surrounding them suddenly became quiet, save the marching of their own feet across the land. Without warning, just through the bottleneck, the first heads of the Legion appeared. Closer and closer they approached. But before Maebus could give the order to charge, several quick fireballs zipped over their heads and smashed into the approaching Legionarie ranks. The attack came from a secondary Crucifer unit, which was smaller, yet still deadly.
“Focus your fire into that space!” an officer ordered.
THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! Several more fireballs were sent.
The flames hit them, and a dozen Legionaries instantly collapsed to the ground like lifeless toy figures. The smoke rose from their burning mass into the sky. But still, their lines continued forward, crawling over burnt comrades. Their ranks were proving unstoppable. Also, through the carnage marching towards them, Maebus spotted a familiar face … General Thane!
That was all he needed to see.
“Leoden,” Maebus said. “Would you please do the honors?”
“Attaaaaack!” the young warrior bellowed.
The Realmsic Army pointed their weapons forward and sprinted into action. The Legion brandished their fire swords, slicing away like a grinder. With both forces now running full speed towards one another, the ground between them shrank with every step. Neither side, despite the imminent danger, backed down. And with a thunderous impact, both armies collided.
• • • • •
Damian stood upon the balcony of the command tower, surveying the brutal engagement between his Legion and the Realmsic Army. “At last, the real battle begins!”
He listened to the clanging of steel. He saw the quick sparks of light from his infantry’s flaming swords. Although caught by surprise and completely unprepared to fight, his Legion was still an incredible force. The Realmsic Army was barely able to maintain their position on the field. Granted, Maebus had performed a spectacular opening attack. But ultimately, his army was no match for the Legion. Deep down, Damian felt disappointed. He was hoping for an actual challenge. But now it looked as though the battle would be over in time for lunch after all.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
“Come on Igthu, you can do it!” Seku encouraged. Igthu could barely keep up with him as they exited from the side of the castle. Seku balanced his weight by slinging the boy’s arm around his own neck. Yet still, Igthu was barely able to hobbled on his one crutch. Seku could tell his injury from the beating he’d sustained still pained him. But despite his discomfort, Igthu pressed forward across the field with all his strength.
Seku was agitated by having to deviate from his original plan to meet up with Reeze on top of the east hill side. He felt like they were wasting precious time. But a promise was a promise.
“Igthu, hold on to me tight,” Seku said, as they began their ascent up the steep incline. This side of the castle was empty, with just the two of them hobbling together—the old and the injured.
However, just on the south side of the castle, they heard the clanging and screams of the two powerful forces who waged Armageddon upon each other. Seku had no time to marvel at the darkened sky, which occasionally flashed white from the flames soaring through it. He only maintained one focus: getting to Reeze!
“I swear this man better be here, or I’m leaving without him,” Seku complained.
Igthu didn’t respond. Panting heavily, Igthu gripped Seku tighter for support as they negotiated the hill. It seemed to take all the young soldier’s energy just to put one foot in front of the other, and push forward inch by inch.
“Come on Igthu, you can make it!” Seku said through grinding teeth.
He could tell both he and Igthu were on the brink of fatigue. At any moment, they could collapse and roll back towards the castle.
“We can do it…” Seku grunted, pushing away his encroaching thoughts about being far too old for this kind of thing. Closing his eyes, Seku concentrated all his faculties into climbing the hill, mentally motivating himself with each agonizing step.
Just a few more steps. Just a couple more steps. Just one more step.
“We made it!” he cheered, reaching the top of the massive hill. Igthu fell to the ground, taking Seku with him. Both laid flat on their backs, looking up at the flickering sky. They’d made it, but where the hell was Reeze? Seku thought, suddenly sitting straight up. He looked around, but the hilltop was empty.
“Where is he?” Seku demanded of no one in particular. A massive plume of black soot barreled over them from the battlefield, further reducing visibility upon the hilltop. Seku and Igthu were coughing when a glint of light caught their attention. Straining to see, Seku picked out what appeared to be a lantern flame dancing in the distance, just beyond the trees.
“I see something!” he exclaimed, pointing.
Seku helped Igthu clamber to his feet. Together, they staggered to the tree line, staying low within its bushes. Unsheathing his sword, Seku carefully pushed the leaves back.
What the…” he bellowed. Before him stood Reeze at the head of a massive crowd of men, women, and children.
Seku re-sheathed his sword and rubbed the achiness out of his hand, trying to quell the anger that was rising within his mind. “Reeze, explain yourself!” he shouted.
“Calm down, old soldier,” he pleaded. “These are just the people I told you ‘bout. The ones who wanted to come with us.”
Seku’s eyes widened. “You said there were only a few!”
“Well, there were … at first. But then this person told that person and so on. Next thing I know, I got a ‘Legion of the Fleeing’ on my hands.”
Seku flung his arms in resignation. “What am I supposed to do with all of these people, Reeze?”
“Lead them. Apparently, there were more people than you realized who felt betrayed by Damian. Like you, they were tired of the lies; tired of bein’ mistreated. So, the way I see it, we’re all your people now.”
Seku stood firm without saying a word. His overwhelmed mind screeched to a halt as if broken. He couldn’t think, and had no clue what to do next. He scanned the frightened faces of the people before him. What was he going to do with all of these people?
“Well, you can’t just leave us here, man!” Reeze argued.
“He’s right…” Igthu said, putting a hand on Seku’s shoulder. “Please, take them with us.”
Again, Seku stood firm, feeling as if he alone bore the weight of the entire world. But as difficult as it was, perhaps this was finally the way to cleanse the blood from his hands and repay his former sins. With a great sigh, Seku resigned himself.
“Fine,” he said, shaking his head in dismay. “Reeze, get these people organized. We’re heading east.”
“You got it!” Reeze exclaimed happily. “Okay people, get your things together, quickly,” he shouted, running through the crowd.
“Aye,” Seku exclaimed smacking his own forehead. There had to be at least a hundred people in the crowd.
“This way, let’s move!” Reeze said, herding everyone forward.
As the crowd followed Reeze through the hilltop trees, Seku grabbed his bag with one hand, and then Igthu with the other. Together they began walking with the group. Not far from their location, the war waged angrily. But not once did Seku look back. In his mind, that part of his life was now over. He’d allowed himself to be manipulated and used by Damian. But no longer did he feel loyalty toward him. No longer would he burden himself with grandiose ambitions. Going forward, his people were his only concern and, right now, he needed to get them to safety.
Chapter Fifty-Eight
The battle waged for hours. The Realmsic Army, though significantly smaller than Damian’s Legion, had managed to hold their position beyond the
outskirts of the Realmsic Castle. Fighting valiantly, they had now forced their way to the walls of the castle and, by this point, King Maebus had abandoned his horse and was fighting on the ground with his men.
In one monstrous montage, the faces of his enemies appeared, and then disappeared with the swipe of his battle sword. He tried to gain his bearings amidst the chaos, but there was hardly any room to maneuver. His body constantly bumped against the other combatants. Ironically, this is where Maebus preferred to be, shoulder to shoulder with his comrades, face to face with his enemy.
Leoden, who’d been fighting by his side, swung his axe ferociously. He had adjusted to the Legionaries’ sparking swords well enough to deflect them from both himself and Maebus. Maebus was beyond impressed with the young warrior’s ability. Despite the overwhelming odds, Leoden glided through the barrage of swords as if his body were made of liquid. Such poise and discipline had not been achieved by some of the most experienced soldiers in the Realmsic Army. It was then Maebus realized that the Cyperus Clan had not merely instilled in Leoden the skills to survive but, through their warrior lifestyle, they’d given him a foundation of instincts that he could always rely on, going confidently into any situation. Maybe Leoden being the Hero of Legend wasn’t so far-fetched after all.
“Whoa!” Maebus bellowed, barely dodging an attack. “Focus!” he scolded himself, for now was not the time for speculation. His arms were fatigued from swinging, yet the Legion showed no signs of slowing down. At any moment, the Realmsic Army could be pushed backwards and defeated. But Maebus would not allow that to happen.
“Keep fighting!” he commanded to Leoden and his soldiers. “Hold our line!”
Through the haze of smoke and Legionaries, the castle’s land bridge and entrance gate loomed but a few hundred yards before him.
So close! Maebus pushed himself. Can’t give up!
• • • • •
Observing from the command tower, Damian kept a close eye on the battle’s progress, in particular, that of General Thane. Just beyond the castle’s exterior guard wall, Thane engaged a large force headed by the tall woodsman. Damian remembered him from when Maebus was captured and, to his surprise, the woodsman had been promoted to the rank of General.
“Well, desperate times I suppose,” Damian mused, stroking his smooth chin.
Scanning the battlefield one last time, he decided he’d seen enough. This battle was over, whether Maebus realized it or not.
With his upcoming invasion of the Uncharted Lands, Damian wondered how many more times he would have to go through this. How many more soldiers would he need to sacrifice before the entire world kneeled before him?
As Damian prepared to re-enter the castle, something caught his attention. Towards the west side of the castle, a large crowd of people gathered.
“What is this?” he asked himself. Such a peculiar sight gave him pause. Squinting, he couldn’t determine if the group was fleeing the castle or invading it. Unexpectedly, a large boulder was catapulted over the tower just above his head. Without flinching, he followed the object’s trajectory as it smashed into the ranks of his Legion below.
“What?” His eyes widened as two more flew past his position, nearly hitting him this time. Damian was forced to leap out of the way. Undoubtedly, they were aiming for him. Upon landing awkwardly on his side, Damian slid a few feet across the ground and smacked into the balcony banister. Several tower guards scrambled to assist him, but he shooed them away, flaring his hand. Damian rose to his knees and peered over the balcony, instantly spotting a line of wheeled catapults inching their way towards the castle. Damian realized that they were now being attacked from the opposite direction!
“Clever,” he muttered to himself through a strained smile.
• • • • •
From the battlefield, Maebus watched as the boulders sailed through the sky. For a moment, they seemed to hover in midair before plunging into the Legionarie ranks.
“It’s the allies!” he heard someone shout. “It’s the allied army!”
Just as Maebus had planned, the surviving Western Nations, knowing that Damian would ultimately conquer them, had banded together to form a united army. Marching from the west by the hundreds of thousands, he could see the arsenal of catapults, cavalry, and infantry they brought with them.
Instinctively, the Legion separated, splitting their forces to engage the armies on both sides. Caught by surprise for yet a second time, the Legionaries found themselves trapped between two enemy forces. Maebus’ pincer strategy had worked! The allied army, combined with the unyielding efforts of the Realmsic Army, was significantly shifting the momentum of the battle in their favor.
“Come on!!! We can do it!!!” Maebus shouted, pushing closer and closer to the castle entrance.
• • • • •
Damian had not expected this sudden turn of events, and a frightening notion filled his mind for the first time. We might lose this battle. He clenched his teeth in anger, and determined to himself that despite this battle, he would not lose the war. With that last thought lingering in his head, he marched back into the castle. Quickly stepping through the empty corridors, he calculated it was only a matter of time before the castle was overwhelmed.
“So be it,” he stated to himself. In reality, it mattered not if Maebus reclaimed the castle, for Damian still possessed the Realmsic Crystal. Without it, Maebus could never truly win. Damian cradled the gem in his hand as it hung around his neck—the power of the crystal pulsating through him. Being a man of many contingency plans it was now time to change the location of this battle. Damian could feel the presence of the Realmsic Army getting closer, and he had but a few moments to escape. He only hoped that Maebus would take the bait and follow him.
Making his way through the castle corridors, Damian called out to his handlers.
“Saddle my war panther!” Damian commanded.
But his request went unanswered.
“Did you not hear me!” he shouted. But again, nothing.
Damian stopped. The corridors were empty. In fact, much of his staff had suddenly vanished. He continued through the castle’s main structure. Exiting from the side, he ran toward his personal stable, which he had built just for quick escapes such as this. There, his silver panther awaited him, ready for combat.
Strapping on the saddle himself, he hopped onto the beast’s back, grabbed the reins, and leapt forward. Speeding through the stable and across the grounds, he raced toward the castle main gates. With a magical blast from his hand, he blew the gate open and sped across the land bridge. The combatants before him were caught completely off guard as the panther sprang headfirst into the thick of the battle. Unflinching and unrepentant, Damian blasted everyone who obstructed his path, including his own men. He jerked back and forth on the panther’s back, his thighs tight against its ribs. The beast’s powerful gallops trampled anyone in its path.
Ripping his way across the battlefield, those around him flew past as a streaming blur. Not once did he think about the protection of his Legion, who were quickly losing ground. Not once did he think of Seku his spy, who apparently disappeared along with the rest of his staff. Not once did he think of General Thane, who charged willfully into battle, but by now had been personally slain by the hands of the woodsman-General. Thane had served Damian well. But ultimately everyone was expendable, and only one thing remained on Damian’s mind …
Get to the East!
• • • • •
Both Maebus and Leoden watched Damian flee. Using the path opened by the Warlord’s flight, Maebus fought his way across the castle’s land bridge. Without thinking, he climbed to the top of the castle’s entrance. Holding on to the protruding flag post, he rose above the battle and continued watching Damian abscond eastward upon his panther, leaving his Legionaries utterly confused. Many actually ceased fighting and began trailing him. Upon seeing the Warlord sprinting away, Maebus’ men cheered and, for a brief moment, his own mind als
o filled with elation. After all of the heartache, the blood, the agonizing pain, they had done it! They had reclaimed their castle, and had Damian on the run!
“Maebus!” a voice shouted from below. Looking down, he saw Kelm standing on the land bridge.
“Kelm!” Maebus shouted gleefully. “Did you see that?”
“Maebus, what’s wrong with you!” Kelm reprimanded. “Damian still has the crystal. Get after him!!!”
Maebus’ mind instantly snapped back to reality. The celebration would have to wait. With that, he broke off the Legionarie flag that had flown above the castle entrance. With the crumpled fabric in his hand, he raised its broken staff toward the sky for all his army to see. Then, pointing it toward Damian, he shouted to his men, “Pursue the Warlord!”
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Damian relentlessly galloped across the Lands of the East, knowing Maebus and the united armies were not far behind. Through the desolate conditions of Damisted, they pursued him, traversing its scorched earth, and enduring the intensity of the Realmsic sun. Damisted was once a thriving land of rivers and lavish greenery, but now existed mostly as a desert. As a demonstration of his strength, Damian had exterminated its people and laid waste to the area during his earliest conquests.
Now using the wasteland as a natural barrier, Damian had erected a secret fortress far in the east. There, he positioned a separate Legion of Warriors, independent from his primary fighting infantry. Though slightly smaller in number, these reserved Legionaries maintained the fortress day and night. Feeding off the glory of his conquests, they trained tirelessly in preparation for his return, hoping that one day they, too, would be called upon to fulfill his purpose. That day had come.
The Hero of Legend Page 30