“What the hell was that?” Alina shouted, as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
“I did what she taught me.” Connor answered quietly, while still looking at Etria.
“Connor, I must take her now!” Larak said, his voice conveying urgency.
Connor looked at Larak in the most heartbroken of ways and nodded. He bent down and kissed her blood stained lips before allowing Larak to pick her up.
“You are nearing the end of your journey Ryaal. How is this going to end?” Larak asked in a tone that sounded more concerned than inquisitive, before rushing off with Etria in his arms.
“Brothers!” Ryaal called out to the remaining two hundred Akirian allies.
“See them home safely!” He shouted his order as he pointed to Larak carrying Etria’s lifeless body.
“Connor.” Ryaal called.
“It is alright if you go with her.” He said
Connor looked as Larak continued hurriedly toward Shi’ Kar, surrounded by the two hundred Akirians.
“No!” He answered softly. “All she wanted was to save her sister. I can’t fail her again”
With that, Connor headed toward the Akirian city.
Chapter 42
“Is she going to be alright?” Alina asked Ryaal out of great concern for her friend.
He did not want to tell her his honest thoughts and simply looked at her with sadness and said nothing.
“What about him?” She asked, nodding her head toward Connor, walking a short distance ahead. “Is he gonna be alright?”
Ryaal looked towards Connor with concern in his eyes.
“I don’t know.” He answered, knowing firsthand the heartbreak that comes when something happens to your Eternal.
“How did he do that?” She asked, referring to the violent explosion caused by Connor.
“When they bonded, she shared all she knows with him. When he saw what happened to her, he lost control.” He answered, not going into too much detail.
The next few minutes were spent walking in silence until Alina spoke up again.
“Didn’t that General guy say there were ten thousand more of them waiting at the city entrance?” She asked.
“Do not worry about them. I will take care of that.” Ryaal answered
For a split second though, she did worry, then quickly thought to herself, If the big guy says don’t worry, then I guess I won’t worry.
Up ahead they could see Connor stop dead in his tracks. Catching up, Ryaal and Alina saw why. Standing before them, a few hundred yards away, were ten thousand of the meanest looking Akirians they had yet seen. Ten thousand of the universe’s most efficient killers now stood between them and the Akirian city. Standing in front of them, in the command position, was a grisly and scarred Akirian almost the size of Gryn. Connor clenched his fists and began heading towards them. Ryaal put his hand on Connor’s chest, stopping him instantly.
“Wait here.” His voice commanded.
Connor and Alina looked at each other, silently agreeing that that would probably be the best place for them. Ryaal advanced. With every step he could feel her more and more. Rage and longing swirled violently inside him. The Akirian commander advanced to meet Ryaal.
“Maybe you should get that explody thing ready.” Alina suggested to Connor.
Ryaal continued his advance and as the two massive warlords approached, the enemy commander began to speak. Ryaal had no concern for what he might say. He was too close to her now. He hadn’t the time for this enemy. Before a sound could escape the enemy commander’s lips, Ryaal grabbed his Arc staff and slashed upward with lightning speed, cutting the commander in half without ever breaking stride.
“Never mind the explody thing.” Alina revoked her previous suggestion.
Ryaal stopped directly in front of the massive formation, only inches from the faces of ten thousand killers…and began to scream at them as though they were insolent children.
“Do you know who I am?”
Their silence meant that they knew exactly who he was or else they would have attacked.
“Do you know why I’m here?” He shouted again.
There silence meant that they knew exactly why he was there.
With his next question, his eyes burned a fire red so intense, it could’ve melted the entire army as he scanned the ranks to ensure they could all see his face.
“Do you all wish to die here today?”
His final question was not met with silence. It was met with the sound of ten thousand massive Akirians snapping to attention and dividing their ranks down the middle, giving a clear path to the city. Ryaal looked to his friends who quickly made their way to him and as they passed through the ranks, noticed that not one of the ten thousand Akirians ever dared to make eye contact with them. Ryaal and his friends advanced towards the heart of the city. Only one mile stood between them and the end of their journey. Only one mile stood between Ryaal and his Eternal.
Chapter 43
Syrk paced back and forth, visibly frustrated. He had heard the boom of the shockwave; he had heard the voice of someone shouting outside the city gates. With no reports coming in from his warriors, he knew nothing of what was coming. The Abomination stood steadfast at their place beside Syrk’s throne. Their want to kill something emanated from them, to the point that they seemed agitated.
The only one calm was Kara. Still standing defiantly, despite the incredible weight of the heavy chains holding her prisoner, she knew what was coming their way. She smiled at the thought of seeing her Ryaal again. Amidst his pacing, Syrk shot a glance her way and noticed her serene smile. He became enraged and charged at her, stopping only an inch from her face.
“What are you smiling at?” He growled with disgust.
Holding her smile, she locked eyes with her captor.
“Do you not hear it, tyrant?” She asked.
“Hear what?” He snapped angrily.
“Listen.” She instructed in a whispered tone.
Syrk stared at her for a moment before closing his eyes and listening intently. At first, all he heard was the beating of his own cold, black heart.
Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum
He noticed it getting slightly louder with each beat. Then, he realized it was not his heartbeat he was hearing, but footsteps, the sound of footsteps getting closer and louder, the sound of footsteps punishing the ground as they propelled something awful, closer and closer in his direction. He opened his eyes, again staring into Kara’s.
“What is it?” He asked, almost sheepishly.
And softly she answered.
“That is the sound of death, sprinting for you tyrant. That is the sound of my Ryaal, coming for me.”
She smiled wider as his name glided softly across her perfect lips.
“RRRAAA!” He shouted in anger.
He then turned to the Abomination and screamed his orders.
“Ready yourselves! He is coming!”
“No, he is not.” They replied mechanically and in perfect unison. “He is already here.”
Their arms rose simultaneously as they pointed at the center of the city square. Syrk turned slowly toward the direction they pointed and there he was, the living, breathing manifestation of vengeance. Syrk grabbed his Arc staff and in the instant it took to be held to Kara’s neck, had changed into a long, double-sided knife pressed firmly against her soft violet skin.
Ryaal held firm, assessing the situation, the look on his face was a determined and murderous gaze.
“Hello son.” Syrk greeted with heavy disdain.
“You have no sons.” Ryaal responded with the same disdain.
“Fair enough.” Syrk replied, bitterly.
“Tell me Ryaal, how do you see this ending? Do you expect me to surrender my throne? Do you think I’ll trade the life of your precious Eternal for my own?” Syrk asked as though he were amused by the preposterous options.
“Tell me…what d
o you expect?”
Ryaal stood silent as he took in his surroundings. He noticed Connor and Alina had changed their weapons into long spears. He noticed the Abomination gripping their long, curved daggers tightly. He noticed the blade pressed firmly against Kara’s neck and how quickly his father could kill her.
“Well?” Syrk inquired.
“WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?” He shouted venomously.
Ryaal turned to his friends with a strange look, as if he were saying goodbye. He then turned to Kara with the same look, who’s only response was a tear and the slow shake of her head, as if she were telling him no. Then, he turned to his father and with a look of pure and perfect hate, gave answer to his question.
“I expect you to die.” He answered.
No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than Ryaal began to falter. His legs almost gave out, but he regained himself before falling to the ground. The pain had become too much. Syrk immediately realized his weakened state.
“KILL HIM! KILL HIM NOW!”
The tyrant screamed his command and the Abomination instantly sprinted towards Ryaal who in turn sprinted towards them. Faster and faster the warrior’s raced towards one another. The Abomination ran with daggers ready at hip level. Adrenaline surged, hearts beat faster, and all eyes focused intently on the impending collision. Just as the three came within striking distance, two long spears soared over Ryaal’s shoulders slamming violently into the twin faces of the Abomination…at precisely the same second. The bodies dropped hard and began turning to stone, each with a smile on its face. Two small humans had done what no Akirian ever could. They delivered the peace of death to the long tormented twins.
But something wasn’t right. Ryaal was no longer sprinting towards his Eternal. He was perfectly still at the exact spot the Abomination had fallen. The only movement was the slow heaving of his massive chest. The only sound to be heard was that of the rhythmic patter of heavy drops of blood crashing to the ground at Ryaal’s feet. Syrk’s eyes grew wide as a maniacal smile twisted across his sinister face. Kara’s eyes grew wide as well, but her look was one of shock and disbelief. Connor and Alina could not see what the others saw and rushed toward Ryaal. As they got closer the sight before them stopped them dead in their tracks.
There, protruding through each side of Ryaal’s lower back, were the tips of two long, curved, daggers. As they fanned out to the side, they could see the knife handles sticking out from each side of his abdomen. Ryaal dropped to his knees as the blood flowed steadily from his wounds. Kara thrashed violently against the heavy chains, screaming in pain laden disbelief, as Syrk stepped away from her to get a better view. She dropped to her knees and began weeping heavily as she locked eyes with her Eternal. Connor and Alina made it to their friend and they too fell to their knees, just as the legendary warrior turned to stone.
Chapter 44
Syrk slowly began descending the stairs, heading toward the stone statue of his fallen son. Still in elated disbelief as he approached, he knelt down in front of him just a few feet away, examining the stone face locked in its position staring towards Kara.
The laughter came low and slow at first but soon erupted into a loud cackling as Syrk stood and walked over to his trophy.
“Legendary?” He laughed.
“Pathetic seems more appropriate!” He added.
With tear filled eyes, Connor launched himself at the tyrant. Syrk reacted quickly with a powerful kick to the chest which sent the young man flying in the opposite direction and spitting up blood as he crashed back down to the ground. Alina sprinted toward Syrk but was quickly swatted away, landing hard next to Connor.
Syrk approached the two young humans, who after their battle and loss, no longer had the strength to defend themselves.
“Did you honestly think you had a chance? Look at you!” He screamed at them.
Alina screamed back as she jumped to her feet. She ran at Syrk again, only to be snatched up and lifted off the ground to his eye level, her feet straining to touch the ground.
“What to do with you?” He questioned.
“Should I kill you?” He asked.
“No.” He answered his own question.
“That would be no fun.” He added.
“Should I strip the skin from your bones?” He shouted in Alina’s face.
“I know.” He said.
“I shall make you my pets. How does that sound?”
Syrk was so preoccupied with what to do with his new pets that he was oblivious to the stone warrior rising to his feet behind him. He did however, notice something change in the young girl he was holding off the ground. All fear had left her eyes, a sense of relief seemed to wash over her, and a smile began to stretch slow and wide across her face.
“Is something amusing, pet?” Syrk asked snarling.
“It’s just that…there’s a couple of things you don’t know about Ryaal.” She said matter-of-factly.
“And what’s that?” He snapped.
“Well first…he’s very protective of his friends.” She began.
“And second…” She moved her face in close to Syrk’s. “…he’s standing right behind you.” She informed in an almost whisper.
Syrk reared his head back from hers.
“Impossible.” Syrk uttered as he turned to look over his shoulder and as he did, saw a massive stone figure standing behind him. Syrk quickly dropped the girl and turned around to fully face Ryaal.
“How?” He asked in confused fear.
Ryaal yanked the daggers from his stomach and slammed them into Syrk, lifting him off the ground. The look on the tyrant’s face quickly turned to one of intense pain and even greater shock.
“A gift from my grandfather.” Ryaal replied as the stone façade faded away and he returned to the fiery eyed nightmare black he’d been since his return.
“Are you two alright?” He asked his friends without taking his murderous gaze off Syrk.
“Yeah man, we’re alright.” Connor answered as he made it to his feet holding his side.
“My love has been prisoner for far too long. Would you please free her from those chains?” He asked of his friends, while still watching Syrk writhe in pain.
“Absolutely.” Alina answered as the two ran to Kara.
As they approached, Kara’s head still hung low in sadness. She only turned it as the two humans began working the chains.
“What are you doing?” She asked
“Run. He’ll kill you.” She pleaded, concerned for their safety and not once thinking about herself.
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” Alina said happily as she nodded her head in Ryaal’s direction. As Kara raised her head and saw Ryaal, the overwhelming happiness she felt radiated instantly to the two humans.
“Did you feel that?” Connor whispered to Alina as they released one of the chains. Before Alina could answer, Kara turned her head back to Connor and Alina.
“How is he…?” She started.
“Come on now.” Alina interrupted.
“Do you think death would stop him from getting to you?” She finished.
Kara smiled in response to the human’s answer.
“Finish it quickly, son.” Syrk demanded as the blood trickled out over his lips.
“No.” Ryaal responded, letting his father’s feet once again touch the ground, but holding the dagger’s firmly in place.
“I shall not give you the luxury of a quick death.” He continued.
“You shall suffer...” He added as he jerked one of the blades upward, cutting deeper through Syrk, whose only response was an agonizing scream.
“…as you have made others suffer.” He continued, pulling the other blade higher, eliciting more anguish from Syrk.
“For mother and grandmother…” He yanked a blade high, cutting through ribs.
…for Grandfather…” He yanked the other to an equal height, cutting through the ribs on the opposite side.
Syrk gurgled up mouthfuls of blood and wept in the most terrible agony as Ryaal leaned in close for one last word with his father.
“Know this before you die, tyrant. You will not be remembered. All record of you shall be stricken from history. It will be as though you never existed. What more horrible death for a warrior?”
Syrk screamed an angry hate-filled cry as Ryaal ripped the blades up through his skull, silencing him forever. His shredded, lifeless body dropped at the warrior’s feet.
The tyrant had fallen.
Syrk was no more.
It was over.
Chapter 45
Ryaal turned and walked away from his father’s body and as he raised his head, saw Kara only a few feet away. For a moment they just stared at each other in happy disbelief. Tears began to stream down the faces of both goddess and warrior. She ran to him and he wrapped his arms around her lifting her off the ground and holding her tighter than ever before. This was it, the moment he had fought so hard for, the moment for which so much had been sacrificed, the moment that meant more than any other moment in time.
They held each other for what seemed like an eternity, though nowhere near long enough for the pair. Staring into each other’s eyes they became lost in one another once again. As she pressed her lips softly against his, the obsidian skin of sadness and pain seemed to melt away, as his sky blue complexion returned. Gone were the eyes of vengeful fire and rage and once again were the deep, royal blue pools that reflected the beauty of all he laid them on.
As they stood holding each other, never wanting to let go, a large Akirian approached them hurriedly and heavy of breath. He stopped just short of them and surveyed the scene of the fallen tyrant. He then directed his attention to Ryaal whose gaze never fell from Kara.
“Sire.” The guard addressed him properly.
“What is it?” Ryaal answered.
“There is a large force moving toward the city.” The guard informed.
“Who is it?” Ryaal asked turning his attention to the sentry.
“It looks to be a large number of Akirians with…all of the Ishra.” The guard answered nervously.
Ryaal smiled and turned back to Kara. “They are friends and they are bringing our brothers and sisters home. See to it they arrive safely and get our people back into their homes.” Ryaal ordered.
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