Scorched Kingdom

by Daniel Guevara

  “Bellestis was able to remain standing, but he was clearly shaken by the blast and Varius used this moment to reach for the stone. He jumped over me and stretched his arm to grab it, but just as his fingers were about to touch it, a blast of pure dark lightning coming from the Supreme Chancellor struck his back.

  “Varius felt to the ground and his eyes turned completely black as he gasped for air; he then turned his head towards me and called my name. I rushed towards him and held him close, but as we lay on that cold floor, I felt his life slowly sleeping away through my fingers.

  “Bellestis then walked towards the pedestal where the stone lay and with total confidence grabbed it.

  ‘Why? What have we done to you?’ I asked Bellestis, as tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes.

  ‘Why? Oh my dear queen, I can’t remember for how long I have been planning this moment. You see, it all started when you and King Logrant decided to hide the stone in this place.”

  ‘What do you mean? The stone was dangerous; it killed a man who tried to take it. We had to do it.’

  ‘No, the stone killed the man that I paid to steal it and bring it to me. You see back then, when we first started to study the stone, I realized just how much power it possessed and quickly became obsessed with having it, but no, you and that stupid Human declared that we should all take turns to study it. So I watched how the Humans and that stupid lonely Dwarf took turns poking my precious stone without even understanding what it was.’

  ‘So it was you all along?’

  ‘Yes, my queen, it was then when I realized that I could never unlock the stone’s true potential unless I had it all for myself. So I came up with a plan to retrieve it, but I did not take into consideration that the stone could fight back. So I had to watch helplessly as you and that stupid Human hid my treasure from me, for all eternity.’

  ‘No one should possess such power, much less someone like you.’

  ‘Perhaps you are right, but none the less. I was determined to get it back, yet I had no idea where it had been hidden or much less about the traps that guarded it. But I knew one thing, it was fear that made you hide the stone in the first place and it was fear that would make you retrieve it again. I knew you hid the stone because you were afraid of its power. So all I had to do was make you afraid of something worse and you would come running for the stone’s aid.’

  ‘Make me afraid of what?’ I asked.

  ‘I wasn’t sure back then, but I knew I had all of eternity to figure it out. So I carried out many experiments trying to develop a threat big enough, to make you desperate to retrieve the stone.’

  “I realized then that he was behind the Orcs, and when I confronted him, he admitted it. He had created them through mixing the blood of Humans, Elves and other animals, and watched as they reproduced and attacked, plunging the world into fear and despair. And from that despair emerged the need that he had been waiting for so long. He pretended to be opposed to us retrieving the stone so that he would have an excuse to come with us. And we fell right into his trap. Once he had the stone, he turned the Elf soldiers to ash with a snap of his fingers,”

  “He threatened to make me his personal whore, but when he tried to rape me, I grabbed the stone. “The feeling that coursed through my body as soon as I touched it was inexplicable; I could feel everything and nothing at the same time. It was like the entire world was a part of me and it was at my command.

  “My nature powers multiplied a million times and, without even having to concentrate, I summoned huge vines and tree roots to help me fight him, but it was clear that he had a better understanding of the stone and its power than I did, because he was making them disappear faster than I could summon them. So I tried to grab the stone with both hands and finally make him relinquish it; I could feel how the stone wanted to be with me. But as hard as I tried, I could not make him release the stone.

  “As I pulled with all my strength the chancellor began to cast a dark spell. I could see how his eyes turned black and a strange dark energy began to emanate from his body. I was terrified as I knew this would be the end of me, but before I could do anything about it, we were both engulfed by a brilliant white light.

  “I heard Bellestis’s scream and I could feel how the stone was defending itself from him, but even then he managed to maintain his grip over it.

  “It was then when it happened, the light grew bigger until it blinded me completely and after that I felt the stone crack. It felt as if the entire world had been wounded.

  “The explosion sent both of us flying to opposite sides of the room, as the stone broke into several fragments that flew of never to be seen by us again. I was still dizzy and my vision was blurry. But I saw the chancellor laughing and screaming like a mad man from across the room; when he realized I was still alive he raised his hand in the air and cast one last spell.

  “It took me a few more minutes to fully regain consciousness and by then I was all alone, half-naked in a room full of corpses.

  “I wandered out of the fortress and made it to the small camp where I realized that all the Elf trackers that were supposed to guide us out of the dark forest where dead. And without them there was no way I could find my way outside.

  “So I started to roam the woods looking for something that would help me find my bearings. It even occurred to me to try using my nature power to feel how the trees moved. It was then I realized that after the stone broke, I had lost my powers.

  “So I walked around the woods for what it seemed an eternity only to find myself back where I’d started.

  “I remember the desperation I felt, when I saw this damn fortress again, because it was in that moment I realized that I would never leave this place.

  “I resigned myself. With time I discovered that the entire fortress oozed the dark energy of Bellestis’s magic. It took time, but I eventually learned how to harness it and use it for my own ends.

  “The years passed until one day I looked at my hands and realized what the last spell the Supreme Chancellor casted, had done.

  “My skin was old and wrinkled; there are no mirrors in this place, so I looked into the pond from which I usually drank, looked at my face and saw what the passage of time had done to it. For the first time I was confronted with my own mortality.

  “It was in that moment when I made myself the promise that I would get out of these woods or I would die trying. I am uncertain how long it took, but eventually I saw the distant shape of a person through the fog.

  “I ran towards him as fast as I could, making my way through the mist and vines in the forest. But it was not until I was close, that I realized what it was.

  “An Orc who was just as lost and confused as I was.

  “I tried to turn back and run away, but it was too late. He caught me. “I was terrified; because I was sure I was going to be eaten. But he seemed to have a more primal need to fulfill with me before that.

  “He quickly turned me around and lifted my dress and before I could even scream, he forced himself inside me. I could not stop myself from crying as that monster defiled me, but as he had his way with me I realized that I was having my way with him as well.

  “The dark magic that had found its home at my body started to act and the more he touched me the stronger I felt; soon I was able to see how the skin in my hands started to rejuvenate.

  “But as I grew stronger he grew wicker, soon he was barely able to continue. It was then when he tried to run away from me, but I was completely drunk with power and he was barely able to stand. So I pushed the enormous beast to the ground and began to ride him until he finally stopped breathing.

  “Thanks to this, I was once again young, but as time passed I realized the effect wasn’t permanent. I seem to only be able to steal whatever remaining time the person has to live.

  “And since then, I have spent my time here, in these woods, looking for people to feed from and learning the ways of the dark magic.

  “But all of that changes
today.”

  “Yes, my queen. I will take you back to our city and there we will find a cure for you.”

  “No, don’t you see? I don’t need a cure, all I need is you.”

  “What do you mean, my queen?”

  “Oh, my beloved Licius, I need you to surrender your immortality to me, so I can finally be free of the shackles that bind me to this place.”

  Licius knew that this was no longer the Elf he had admired and loved for so long, but a monster wearing her skin. He tried to convince himself that the horrors she had to endure had deformed her personality and maybe she could still be saved.

  “No, my queen, I am sure there is another way we can fix this. Let me help you get back to our city and once you are healed, you can take your rightful place at the throne of the elven race, once again.”

  “Oh, my beloved Licius, you are as gullible as ever. There is no throne to be had while Bellestis still lives; besides this time I will not stop at the elven race. With the power I now command, I will take over the world and consume anyone who opposes me. All I need is time, and you can give me all the time in the world.”

  “I am sorry, my Queen, but I cannot in good conscience be a participant in that.”

  “But why not, don’t you love me?”

  “I do, or at least I did. I am no longer sure of who you are.”

  “I am your queen and I am also your heart’s every desire; take off that armor and let me show you what pleasure really means.”

  And as soon as she said that, the room began to transform into a beautifully decorated chamber, the dress she was wearing was now clean, and the room was softly lit by a beautiful chandelier.

  Licius was confused. But before he could say anything the armor reacted, fully protecting him once again.

  Licius found himself again in the dark, dusty room with the queen wearing an old filthy dress.

  It was then he realized that the queen was using her magic powers to give him visions.

  “Oh my love, don’t cover your face. It’s been so long since I contemplated your perfect features.”

  “I am sorry, my queen, this armor seems to have a mind of its own some times. Besides I am no longer sure your intentions are pure.”

  “Pure? There is nothing pure about me anymore. I have been raped and used more times than I can remember, but every time it happened, I grew stronger. And now that I have you, there is no one that will be able to stop me, so take off that damned armor and surrender yourself to your queen’s wishes.”

  And as she screamed in anger, all the furniture in the room began to float in midair. The queen began to throw pieces of furniture at Licius – some he managed to break in half with his blade.

  The queen created a whirlwind from the shards of wood that not even Licius could escape and once he was completely surrounded by the spinning wood, she made it collapse on top of him, only to find that the wood shattered against his armor.

  Licius stood still as he found himself incapable of attacking Alagossa, but the queen managed to rip from the floor a solid granite table and then proceeded to smash it against him.

  The force of the blow sent Licius straight into the floor, as the table smashed itself to pieces against the armor. But once again, Licius stood up, completely unharmed.

  He knew he had to stop her, but still he was unable to lift a finger against her.

  The queen absorbed the darkness in the room. Licius could not believe what he was seeing, as the room became brighter as the darkness entered her body.

  The queen’s eyes turned completely black and she pointed at Licius and from it came the same dark lightning the Chancellor once used against him.

  The queen gathered as much energy as she could in her fingers before letting lose a blast, which would have decimated Licius’s body if not for his armor.

  Licius’s heart was devastated, as he was unable to believe how corrupted she had become. There was no difference between his beloved queen and the vile Supreme Chancellor he had sworn revenge upon. Yet he was still unable to attack her.

  “I see I will need all of my strength to crack your armor, oh well, I hoped to consume the other two while I had you distracted, but I guess they will have to wait.”

  It was then when Licius remembered his two friends and realized the danger they were in.

  “Yes, it has been millennia since I saw a Dwarf. And what a Dwarf it is, so strong, it is almost as if he had endless strength. And the Human, he has to be of royal blood, I can sense a connection to my beloved Varius through him. But the latent power he possesses is way stronger than Varius’ ever was and soon all of it will be mine, as your life shall also be.”

  The darkness in the fortress began to gather in Alagossa’s body; the versions of her vanished, releasing Arius and Stundroff from her spell.

  The prince and the Dwarf had no idea what was going on, as they found themselves in dusty old rooms.

  But as Arius saw the darkness oozing through the floor and into the walls, he knew his powers would now work, so he raised his hammer and with the strength he had left he made it glow with the power of the light and started to smash the walls with it, trying to pursue the darkness to its source.

  Stundroff had been in contact with Alagossa for a longer time and was still confused about what was happening, so he sat down to regain his strength, while he figured out what was going on.

  ◆◆◆

  Back in the room where Licius and Alagossa stood the darkness started to flow from the walls and into the ground, where it slowly moved towards Alagossa’s body, as a heavy fog.

  Licius knew then what had to be done, so he took a step forward and opened his helmet, so Alagossa could see his face.

  “Stop this, I beg you. I shall grant you your desire, as long as you spare my friends.”

  Alagossa had no intention of sparing any of them, but she saw the chance to touch Licius and she took it.

  “Very well then, come to me, my love and I shall grant you what you have wanted for so long.” She began to undress.

  Licius slowly took a step forward towards her.

  “But you must promise me that you shall spare their lives.”

  “I promise, now come to me, my love, and let the pleasure consume you.”

  Licius nodded in agreement and walked towards her; once they were close enough he held her in his arms and took one last long look at her face.

  And without any warning the helmet closed again as he tightened his grip on her.

  “I am sorry, my queen, but there is nothing left of the Elf I once loved in you,” Licius said, as he slowly pushed the blade through her stomach.

  Black tears started to flow from Alagossa eyes, as she looked at Licius.

  “Why?” she asked.

  “I am truly sorry, my love, but I cannot surrender my life to you, much less the life of my friends, for the years of abuse have made you a monster, but I shall set you free of you torment.”

  The queen then took two steps back and once she was out of his reach, she smiled, and then laughed maniacally.

  “Well, it seems I am not the only one the years have changed, to think that Licius the straight arrow would use such a cowardly tactic to try and kill me.” The darkness started to pour out of the wound in her stomach.

  She screamed in pain as the darkness from the woods seeped into her, joining the darkness of the fortress.

  Soon there was nothing but a black cloud in the center of the room and from it came the sound of snapping bones and pain-filled

  ◆◆◆

  By then Stundroff had regained some of his strength and just as he was wondering what to do, he noticed a small beam of light that came from a crack in the wall; he was sure it had to be Arius.

  So he stood up and punched the cracked wall and made his way into the next room, where he found an even bigger crack in one of its walls from which the light came through. So he punched that wall making his way into the next room and into the next one after that.


  Wall after wall the light became brighter, so he started to punch faster as the idea of reuniting with his friend filled his heart with joy.

  He punched one last wall and in the next room he found him, Arius, bashing his hammer against a solid wall to make his way through it.

  “Arius my friend, what are you doing?”

  “Stundroff, is it really you?”

  “Yes, who else could it be?”

  “I don’t know. I was making love to a woman earlier that disappeared into thin air. So I am no longer sure what is real and what is not.”

  “You saw her as well?” Stundroff asked.

  “What do you mean by as well? You know what, don’t answer that; let’s just focus on getting out of here.”

  “I agree, but why are you hitting that wall?”

  “Because whatever the evil that is controlling this place, is in that direction and I assume that if we want to make it out of here, we will have to take care of it first.”

  “Then let me help you.” The Dwarf smashed the wall down with a single punch.

  “Yes, I think it will be faster if you do it.”

  The two of them made their way through the fortress guided by Arius’s instinct and Stundroff’s strength, until they finally made it to the room with the stairwell just outside where Licius and Alagossa were.

  The little darkness that was left made its way up the stairs and below the doors of the room as if it was guiding them, so they made their way up the stairs and with one kick Arius slammed the doors open.

  But all their enthusiasm faded as they found Licius standing still in front of a giant dark cloud that engulfed the rest of the room.

  “What is that?” Arius asked.

  “My queen, or at least it was,” Licius replied with a heavy heart.

  “That is your queen? Somehow every time you mentioned her, I pictured a beautiful Elf in my mind,” Stundroff said.

  “She was beautiful, but this place has turned her into a monster.”

  And as soon as he said that, the cracking noises finally stopped.