Revelations of Doom

by Jedidiah Behe

  Lucian jumped down from Thunder and greeted him with a question. "Where is Kara?"

  The Captain gave him a confused look. “You must mean Princess Kyrianna. She said you would be coming. She is there.” He pointed to the top of the wall. Lucian followed his finger and saw Princess Kyrianna, the woman he knew as Kara, screaming out orders to the archers as they laid down volleys into the enemy. But he had no time to wonder about the implications of why she lied to him. He found himself not caring and even feeling as though he expected it. He had felt all along that she was someone other than who she was pretending to be.

  A pang of dread shot through him when he saw two of the female archers close to her get hit with a bolt from an enemy crossbow and fall backwards, one careening off the wall. The Vorean arches had to stay behind the cover of the parapet now, popping up just to fire an arrow down at whatever enemy they saw first and then quickly squatting back down behind safety. Some of them were still struck despite their tactics.

  Lucian scanned the allure and saw Eliath not far from Kyrianna, firing a bow of his own. He knew that those arrows would be finding their marks. He needed no further report from the Captain. He looked to the northern gate and saw that the Vorean army was slowly retreating back through it. His heart sank when he saw that Tarriel was further out among the horde. They were soon to be cut off and he could see that Tarriel was not attempting to fight her way back to safety. She was prepared to die and was only trying to kill as many of the enemy as possible before that death came.

  He could not help but stare for moment at the waves of light that came from Solomon and flowed through the Culdoran warriors. Each day a new mystery seemed to unfold around him. He shook his head and quickly slid on his helmet and pulled the chin strap tight. He charged toward the gate, those who saw him jumped out of the way, yelling out for the others to clear the way. The Voreans watched in confusion, and some in terror, as this foreigner in splendid armor and glowing eyes raced past them, heading for the fight that they were trying to get away from. Some stayed where they were, but many turned to follow him, caught in his wake. They did not know who he was but it was obvious that he was on their side and what his intentions were. He meant to retrieve Tarriel and save the Culdorans.

  Commander Nenghao had realized that Tarriel no longer fought her way toward the city and had to call his men back. They were being cut down and overwhelmed themselves and if they didn't turn back, they too would be surrounded and wiped out. He was backpedaling as he fought off the enemy, trying to get back to the gate, when a large foreign man in brilliant armor rushed past him. He knew instantly that it must be the one called Lucian. Other men charged past him as well, following Lucian's wake so he threw up his sword and called for more to follow as he fell in behind the rescue force.

  Lucian was engrossed in the divine power that flowed inside him now, the gift of Ijon. His eyes were literally ablaze as he rushed through the retreating Vorean army toward the enemy. He could feel the power pulsing through his muscles, making him faster, stronger. The enemy easily saw him coming and cheered out at the challenge, lowering blades and spears in his direction. Many saw the glow coming from his eyes and the runes on his armor and it frightened them, but with the energy of such a massive force behind them, they were able to swallow their fears.

  Lucian could see the dark demonic figures standing all about the enemy. They pointed at him and screamed out curses. The men smiled viciously and echoed the curses and threats that infected their minds. These men were only pawns of the Fallen Lord, slaves to his cause, but they were evil just the same. He would destroy them all.

  Just before he met their line, he pulled Drovenalor free. The sword ignited as it came out of the scabbard, bursting forth with piercing rays of light that sent the enemy falling backwards, shielding their eyes. Their weapons dropped and Lucian scythed into them, slashing at each and every man that was close enough. His run did not slow as he cut deeper and deeper through the enemy, towards Tarriel’s position. The heavenly light from Drovenalor could pierce the eyes of the enemy even in daylight, but because they attacked at night, the effect was all the more devastating to them.

  Some of the foe tried swinging their weapons out in front of them blindly, in hopes that they may score a hit, or just protect themselves, but Drovenalor cut through all the blades easily and continued on through those men that held them. The enemy tried to poor in around Lucian, but the closer they came, the worse the light was to their eyes, and yet those that followed Lucian's spearhead were unaffected by it and having an easy time cutting through the enemy while their guard was down.

  Kyrianna saw the brilliant light burst forth below and to her left, in front of the gate. She wondered what it could possibly be and when she saw the cause, her heart leapt. She saw that it was Lucian and realized that he was leading a spearhead toward Tarriel and her warriors. The other archers and warriors of Vorea were also witnessing his attempt and a great cheer rose up. Kyrianna called out for her arches to concentrate their fire on the enemy that was pushing in toward Lucian and they answered her call, laying down a deadly barrage. It slowed the enemy slightly, but did little to stop them.

  Kyrianna couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The sword that Lucian carried was putting off a tremendous light that was causing the enemy to fall away from him as he approached and yet it did not bother her eyes at all. What magic was this, she wondered. Who was this man? She looked to Eliath who offered her a smile and then continued to fire off arrow after arrow into the enemies that were trying to close in around his friend. The light from Lucian’s sword was deterring, and attracting them all at once.

  Tarriel saw something light up the sky between her and the Northern gate as she lopped off an enemy’s head, allowing her to glance back to see what was happening. Her spirit soared when she caught a glimpse of what could only be Lucian. He was fighting his way toward her. She didn't understand what was causing the light, but she had learned that the man had many surprises since the day she first met him.

  "Always trying to show off," she said with a wicked grin as she cut down another enemy. The other Culdorans noticed Lucian coming too and a mighty cheer rose up from the exhausted warriors. They started pushing toward him, screaming in rage as they hacked through the enemy.

  Solomon simply smiled, as if he had expected Lucian’s rescue. He continued to chant his healing prayers and move with the ring back toward Vorea’s gate. Realizing his gift and its effectiveness, the Culdorans let no enemy come near to him.

  Thaluzont nearly fell from his mount when the brilliant light ignited near the North Gate. He covered his eyes for a moment until a cloak of darkness fell in front of him, making his vision slightly clouded but keeping the light from hurting his eyes, a gift from his master. He gritted his teeth as he watched his men fall away from the light and when he saw what the source was, he howled in anger. It was the boy Lucian, but how? How could he have survived the ambush? And what was causing such light? He stood up in his stirrups and watched as Lucian led a spearhead toward the Culdoran warriors that had been cut off from the main force.

  Thaluzont whirled his axe in a circle over his head, giving the signal for the Boroon riders to start their charge. They would come in at the right flank of the Vorean army and head straight for the gate. He waited for the Captain of the Boroon riders to acknowledge his signal then spurred his toward Lucian, running over his own men if they could not get out of the way fast enough. He would deal with this menace himself.

  His body rippled with excited rage as he barreled toward Lucian and lifted his labrys high in the air with a primal yell, announcing his coming to the soldiers that stood in between them. Just then he felt a sting at his side, and another. He looked curiously at the arrow jutting out from his ribs, just under his arm and another sticking out of his leg. He looked up to the wall and saw the princess Kyrianna and another large man, aiming bows at him. Over two dozen more archers followed suit and let go their arrows. Thaluzont brought his br
oad labrys in front of him just as the arrows came in. Some deflected off the axe, others off his armor and the Boroons, but another three found an opening. Several more struck through to the Boroon's hide, causing it to buck wildly. Thaluzont pulled with all his strength to regain control of the massive beast. He saw the archers taking aim again and slammed his spiked heal into the Boroon's side, spurring it into a charge, away from Kyrianna's stinging arrows.

  Lucian sliced a path to Tarriel and winked at her when he was close enough that she could see it.

  Tarriel tried not to show how relieved she was to see him and she almost took a hit as she stared at him. The runes that were engraved into his armor were aflame with golden light, just as his eyes were burning with the same intensity. She spun to bat away a duo of thrusting blades and then he was at her back, shoving her toward the city.

  "As much as I would love to stay out here with you and slay the entire northern army, we must save some for our allies," yelled Lucian.

  Tarriel couldn't believe how he wasn't even winded after cutting his way through the enemy to get to her. She tried to reply but found she didn't have the air to speak, she was exhausted.

  Lucian noticed the same and urged her on toward safety.

  Tarriel gave Nenghao a wide grin when she saw him at the front of the rescue force.

  They were nearly half way back to the gate when Lucian saw the line of mounted war beasts charging through the Vorean army toward the gate. He had never seen anything like them before. They were massive, larger than a horse and probably four times the weight. Covered in such thick armor, the archers along the walls did little to slow their charge. Lucian pushed on harder, knowing that if they were not able to fight their way to the gate, before the charging monstrosities arrived, they would be cut off.

  Holy wrath seethed through Lucian as he cut through the enemy like the wind. No blade came close to his body and every blade that contacted his own was destroyed. He cut through shields as if they were made of cloth, the men holding them tasting the blade shortly after. He reached the front gate just ahead of the beasts but instead of going in himself, he gave Tarriel one last shove to make sure she continued on and then cut left toward the charging threat. He cut down several of the closest enemy and spun around to wave off the warriors that thought to follow him. Commander Nenghao, who was right behind him, did not question his order. He called for a rearguard to help fight back the enemy until the rest of the Culdorans and trailing Voreans could get inside the city.

  Kyrianna watched in shock from above as Lucian turned into the enemy ranks instead of going in through the gate. Even more shocking was when he signaled for no one to follow him. What was he thinking? She called for her archers to lay down as much support around him as possible and marveled at the devastation he was causing to the enemy. But the charging Boroons were getting closer, what could he possibly do against them? She brought her bow up and just started firing down at the men closest to him. Eliath was ripping off arrows faster than she thought possible. His every shot was deadly precise, striking down the enemy. Kyrianna's heart stopped when the lead Boroon, only a few yards from Lucian, lowered its head as it charged in at him. She steadied herself as she twanged arrow after arrow down at the lead Boroon, but the few arrows that did not deflect off the thick armor, barely bothered the beast when they struck its equally thick, furry hide. She screamed as Lucian seemed to give up, lowering his sword as if he saw that there was no avoiding the powerful charge.

  Eliath snatched her by the collar of her finely made chainmail suit to keep her from falling forward over the rise of the city wall as she reached out toward Lucian, screaming.

  Lucian planted his feet and watched closely as the lead beast closed in. He blocked out the sounds of war around him, the clanging of sword against shield, the grinding of armor, the screams of thousands of men, and listened only to the thundering stomps of the huge beast lumbering in. He closed his eyes and could feel the energy of creature pushing closer to him, his muscles relaxed. He listened to the last heavy hoof of the beast land in front of him before he opened his eyes and was already moving.

  As he slipped to the side, the beast’s three horns passed just inches from his chest. He brought Drovenalor up, slicing sideways, easily cutting through armor, flesh, and bone, ripping the lead Boroon’s side open wide. The second beast, angled behind the lead, lowered its head, seeing an easy target now suddenly in front of it. But Lucian spun away again and chopped down as it passed, cleaving its giant head completely off. He brought the sword up as he whirled further outside the charging line of beasts, cutting deeply into the neck of the third one. The forth rider lowered a spear and tried to skewer Lucian but he easily deflected the blow, clipping the spear head off the shaft and then bringing his magnificent blade across the hind leg of the riders mount.

  The affect he had caused to the charge was staggering. The first four beasts, so mortally wounded, tumbled to the ground, throwing or crushing their riders. With the four masses suddenly stopped, the riders behind them could do nothing but collide with the barricade of flesh and armor. They had never trained for such an occurrence, thinking the beasts unstoppable. Those behind far enough to witness the catastrophe tried to pull back on their reigns but the large heavy beasts could not slow their momentum so easily. Others tried to veer off to the side but they were not so agile as to maneuver quickly. The charge came to an abrupt, deadly halt as many of the Boroon were gored by the one following them.

  With the momentum stopped, those that had broken into the Vorean ranks were quickly dispatched, the riders being pulled from their mounts and run through by lance or sword. But once the rider was off, the beasts would go into a wild frenzy, thrashing their massive heads from side to side and kicking at whatever was behind them. Many men were torn by the large horns or crushed under hoof before the beasts could finally be put down. Some charged off to the north where they were given a clear path so that they could inflict their devastation on the enemy.

  Now that Lucian had stopped the charge, the army was able to filter into the city, fighting off the horde as they retreated. He rallied a rear guard to his side as he valiantly beat back the enemy, allowing the rest of the army to retreat safely. The northern tribes were packed in so tightly, pushing their way toward him that Lucian was cutting down two and three at a time. The closer they came, the more they tried to shield their eyes from the blazing sword he held. The army within Vorea and along its walls shouted out their battle cries as they watched the heroic Lucian fight back the enemy, allowing their countrymen, and allies, to retreat into the city.

  Lucian glanced over his shoulder at the men around him. They were staying close, using the advantage that Drovenalor was giving them and cutting down the enemy without mercy. He ran atop the first Boroon that he had felled, making it even harder for the enemy to strike him. He glanced up and saw that there were still thousands upon thousands of the northern tribesmen left. They continued to wash over the plain, toward the city. He couldn’t believe how many there were. Even with the thousands that had been killed within the first few moments of the attack by the Vorean defenses, still they came on as if undaunted.

  Lucian’s eyes stopped on a lone figure, out among the waves of enemy soldiers. He was atop a Boroon whose thick fur was as black as night. Its armor, blacker still, somehow reflected the moonlight off its many razor sharp and pointed edges. The warrior was staring at Lucian and although he was far away, it was as if he was standing at arm’s length. His eyes smoldered with a darkness that pulled at the light around him. Lucian’s anger burned hotter when he realized who it must be. It was Thaluzont, and Lucian could see the evil that radiated from the man. It pulsed like waves of heat from the sun. He was the reason for this war, the reason for all the death.

  Lucian watched as Thaluzont raised his mighty labrys into the air and pointed it at him. He didn’t even see the evil man move his mouth to speak, but a deep voice echoed throughout the army and off the city walls. It was a cal
l to charge, to kill, whatever the cost. His army screamed and howled at his command, running into a defender’s blade just to get close enough to grab their victim and run them through. It was madness, thought Lucian. Complete madness, spawned by evil like nothing he had ever witnessed. He cut down several men that pawed up the Boroon toward him and looked to Thaluzont again. Lucian’s eyes flared at the smile that was stretched across Thaluzont’s face. He pointed Drovenalor toward him and felt his power surge through him and into the sword. Drovenalor exploded with light, sending a shockwave through the enemy ranks. Like a ripple along water they fell, towards Thaluzont.

  Kyrianna watched in amazement as a light from Lucian’s sword shot out, knocking back the enemy in waves. It was so intense that even the Voreans close to him had to cover their eyes. The pulse of energy rippled out toward Thaluzont and for a moment she relished in the thought of seeing him knocked from his mount, maybe even crushed by the falling beast. But then he threw up his battle axe and a black shroud rose up, slamming against the light. The sound of the colliding forces shook the ground and lightning cracked down around Thaluzont. When the dust settled, his voice rang out loudly, more than Kyrianna thought possible. His army rose and once again charged the city. The northern gates were closing and they would not be able to get through, but there were so many of them.

  When they hit the gate, the city shook and trembled. Kyrianna feared that the walls might fall from the weight of the thousands of men crashing into it. She stared unbelievingly as the first ranks had rushed headlong into the thick stone. Hundreds must have died at that moment, crushed and trampled by the men behind them. But like ocean waves to a sheer cliff, they broke against the wall.