“Please! No! Don’t!” Queen Jeannah screamed.
Meanwhile, back at the infirmary, Draken and Vaan duelled furiously. “Vaan, what’s gotten into your head?”
“All of you left me to rot…” Vaan sneered.
“If you wish to rot, I might be able to help you… Corruption!” Draken uttered and a thick black smoke covered his entire body, leaving only a silhouette.
Vaan opened his arms wide and spoke, “Byrgan!” The floor beneath Draken opened up, ground beneath it chewing him up and eating him. Shortly the white-haired man had vanished through into the basement. There was something malicious about Vaan’s spells. “Hmph. Not much of a challenge, eh,” Vaan muttered and stormed away.
Kielvine floated endlessly in a never ending space. What was this space? A place? Another dimension? He wandered aimlessly through the alternate space created by Aezil. Suddenly, a chunk of earth was beneath him. Intense gravity befell him and he was smashed to the floating earth. Aezil stood overhead, her blue-green hair slicked back. “Greetings,” Aezil said. “This place is called Spectrum. I created this dimension using my manipulation magick, and this is where I torture my victims. This is where I will cut you up, bit by bit.”
“Do whatever you want… this shall be my atonement. I surrender to you…” Kielvine replied. “Before you do anything, tell me. What happened in Esmer? How did you live?”
“After Korhil escaped, after you were captured.” She sighed heavily, but there was something about her body language now less guarded, her hatred simmering down to lukewarm. “I was half dead, blood gushing out of my pierced body. I was taken by the guards, brought in a chamber to die and rot with other bodies there.
I was about to breathe my last when an unknown entity shown itself to me. It spoke to me and said, ‘I will save you but you must pledge your loyalty to me, only to me.’ I agreed. This entity is beyond description. It seemed like Death itself,” she narrated. “After the entity spoke to me, I lost consciousness and woke up in a cave, alone. I came up to find myself deep in a forest, and there was a man there. The Dark Mage, Dio. Kielvine. Up to this day, I feel the same towards you. It’s just, I cannot betray my saviour. I need to kill you,” she said and tears crawled onto her cheeks.
“Aezil… do what you must. Kill me, to atone me of my sins,” Kielvine intoned, words coming from some deep emotional well within him. “I… I am sorry for what happened in Esmer… I couldn’t kill Iara Duneris because of the power contained within her. It was incredible, Aezil–the woman is a walking bomb… if she dies, the magick pool inside her will explode… killing everyone near her… Aezil, everything in Esmer was a set up… we were always meant to die upon succeeding.” His voice quavered.
Aezil locked Kielvine tight in her arms; he knelt with a pale face, held steady. She wrapped her arms around his head; he bowed down, his back arched, shaking tense; small, crawling tears began flowing. Her tears refused to halt. “Kielvine, I waited so long. But the time has come for that one wish, to hold you once more. I love you, but I must do this,” Aezil stated as she wept.
Slowly, she drew a dagger from her back, pointed it to Kielvine’s side, directed at his lungs. “I will love you forever… Kielvine…” Aezil said. With a huge breath, she pierced him.
Kielvine screeched out in pain and agony as the blade punctured his lung. After a few moments, Kielvine gave his last words. “Aezil… it is an honour to die by the hand… of the one… I love,” he whispered. His lifeless body went limp in her arms. She held onto him, screaming and pounding the ground, wailing at the top of her lungs as his life departed and her love did not.
The year 874 was the Year of the Cosmic War. Started by a Revolution by the rebels in the kingdom from the north east, Linganheim, it lasted for six years. Despite advancements in machinery and technology, some of Linganheim’s citizens weren’t satisfied with the reigning emperor, citing corruption and ignorance of the plight of the working people as reasons. The rebels were funded and supported by Asicca, Linganheim’s nemesis. The kingdom of Asicca sent spies and triggered the Revolution in Linganheim.
The ruler of the kingdom of Vesuvius was in good terms with the emperor of Linganheim, and so an alliance was made and a war was declared between the rebels and Asicca. Meanwhile, the kingdom of Portopia had been eyeing Bristal for the longest time. When war broke out between Linganheim, Vesuvius and Asicca, Portopia began to attack Bristal for its lushness in natural resources. These spontaneous events created the worldwide Cosmic War. However, both the kingdoms of Anithelis and Moshraq remained neutral throughout the Cosmic War. Rivante Zandeux was a Master Knight and the Military Commander of Bristal at that time. He served King Pollux and Queen Rosetta.
As Portopia was trying to seize Bristal, it was Rivante who led the army of Bristal to defend her. Three years of war led Bristal to exhaustion, both her resources and knights. It would be a matter of days before the army of Portopia reached and captured Krimmirr.
One day, Rivante was summoned by King Pollux. “Master Knight Rivante, my ancestors have been keeping a treasure for the longest time. It was passed down from generation to generation,” King Pollux stated and he presented a treasure chest. He opened it and a marvellous mysto was shown. “This mysto is called Zodiac. We have been commanded to only use this in time of need, when there is no more hope left. As you can see, Portopia is at the verge of conquering Bristal, and we must make a last stand. I entrust you the Zodiac to lead Bristal to victory.”
“I refuse, my king. That is your family heirloom. I cannot accept such treasure,” Rivante replied.
“We are in grave times. Please accept it and use it to aid you in battle. I command this, as king of Bristal,” King Pollux replied.
“Very well, my king. I will use this to lead Bristal to victory,” Rivante replied and so he possessed the mystical mysto called Zodiac.
Three more years passed by and the great Cosmic War ended. Bristal successfully defended with Rivante at the head of the army. He was declared a war hero. Bristal and Portopia made a peace treaty that has not been broken since. Meanwhile, Asicca was defeated by Linganheim and Vesuvius. It was left to ruin only to be rebuilt again. Because of the devastation caused by the Cosmic War, scholars from around the world decided to reset the calendar and called it “Year of the New Cosmos”. Years passed by until the year 18 of the New Cosmos, 28 years ago from present time.
It was a sun-drenched day in Erradia, and the young Reighild was training with his father, Rivante Zandeux. “Reighild, when you reach adulthood, only then will I allow you to join the army of Krimmirr. But for now, you must eat, grow and train,” Rivante said.
“Yes, father,” Reighild replied. Reighild’s mother had died when giving birth to him.
Being the war hero that he was, Rivante became dear to King Pollux. The king also bore a son, Auron. Reighild and Auron became close to each other as well. They played and trained together until they reached adulthood and Reighild pledged to be a knight of Krimmirr, following his father’s footsteps. A year passed by, and an unknown phantom group attacked Krimmirr from the shadows. King Pollux was assassinated. The whole kingdom grieved. Auron was heir to the throne, and he became king of Bristal at a young age.
Because of King Pollux’s assassination, Rivante swore to hunt down the phantom group responsible for the assassination. A year passed, and Rivante still hadn’t the slightest clue. He stopped investigating only to pass the Zodiac to Reighild, to make him a replacement for his departure. “Father, you don’t need to do this!” Reighild exclaimed.
“My conscience eats at me. I cannot sleep at night. I need to avenge Pollux!” Rivante furiously replied.
“King Pollux is resting in peace. We have a new king, Auron. So please, stop this madness. You will never catch that phantom group! We all know that,” Reighild mustered.
“No! Pollux haunts me in my dreams. His blood screams for vengeance! Now, I need you to have this, the Zodiac. You must replace me as the First Master Knight. I
will leave Krimmirr and search for that group of assassins!” Rivante replied.
“But father, it is you who told me I am not ready to be a Master Knight!” Reighild said.
“With the Zodiac’s power, you may defend Krimmirr from any threat. I am confident that you will be able to wield the Zodiac’s power and with that you will become a fine Master Knight,” Rivante answered.
After Rivante gave Reighild the Zodiac, he spoke to King Auron about his journey of vengeance. King Auron permitted it and Reighild assumed mantle of First Master Knight. Rivante left Krimmirr and Reighild never heard from him again. But it was as his father had said. Reighild easily mastered all of the Zodiac Weapons and since that time had been an effective Master Knight.
Back at the present day Krimmirr, clashing steel could be heard. It was Zodiac versus Retribution as the duel between the Master Knights intensified.
“What has become of you?! King Auron trusted you! Queen Zilithia too. Why would you want to dethrone Queen Jeannah? It is Queen Zilithia who appointed her–why would you not accept that?!” Helena demanded in a fierce tone.
“King Auron was my dearest friend. When he died, Queen Zilithia died with him. She became deranged when the king died, everybody knows it. Now tell me, would she truly have ever appointed a servant, a slave, to be Queen of Bristal had she been in her right mind? Would Auron ever have done such a thing? He spins in his grave at the sight of the mockery that had been made of the so-called ‘monarchy’ we are ruled by now!” Reighild answered wickedly.
“Jeannah has been a great Queen! Despite her past, she was strong enough to take responsibility for the future of the Kingdom. She was lowborn, but she became noble in the eyes of the people because of her wise actions and decisions. Yes, her reign was rocky at the start, with so much opposition to her rule–but she learned how to become royalty. She even harnessed Draconia magick,” Helena answered.
“Wielding powerful magick does not make you royalty. Jeannah is not fit to be queen. She cannot even defend her castle from Dio!” he rebutted.
“That is because she put her faith in you. This is what you give in exchange for her trust?” she asked.
“You are all blinded! Blinded by the misleading things you see. Actions are no substitute for noble blood! Jeannah is not fit to rule. She can never be! Enough. We need to end this. Here and now!” Reighild exclaimed.
This was not the Reighild Helena knew. She could only come to one conclusion. He must be under the illusion of the Dark Mage. If he was being manipulated, that would explain his mad words. Brainwashing. She had trained under this man and knew he would be virtually impossible to defeat. She also knew she was utterly convicted. There was no going back. “I will put my whole life on the line to stop you and your twisted plan of overthrowing Queen Jeannah.” She activated her Valkyrian Wings and shouted, dashing towards him.
“Too bad you have only witnessed three of my Zodiac Endowments. Tsk tsk… Since you are a woman, I will give you a fighting chance. I will not use any weapons. I call thee, Virgin of Parthenos! Virgo!” Reighild shouted. Immediately, his armour was removed along with his weapon. He was left with only his lower armour. His physical strength increased, his muscles grew larger and his knuckles hardened like iron.
This was not a form Helena had seen. She halted. “Why are you stopping? Come and get me…” Reighild taunted. Before her eyes his appearance changed, body side increasing massively. She remembered seeing Aries, Cancer and Libra. When he used Aries, a massive shield appeared then his armour turned metallic grey. Nothing changed in his appearance. When he used Cancer, two blades appeared, attached to his arms. His armour turned red and his face was covered with a meshed metal. Still, his bodily appearance didn’t change. But this Virgo seemed to use his body itself as the weapon. It had to be an endowment of Brute magick.
While she rapidly planned, he emerged behind her, whacked her head with an open fist and she instantly stumbled. “I am a very impatient man, Helena. Remember that,” Reighild uttered. “Stand and fight! Never surrender! Show me your years of training! Show me everything I have taught you.”
“Thunderstruck!” Helena shouted and a burst of lightning struck her, recharging her instantly. If he wanted to play that way, then she would hold nothing back. “Thunder Blitz!” Helena followed, casting deadly lightning spells against Reighild.
“Hmph. You know you can’t win like that…” Reighild said and he clapped his hands to dissipate the lightning. Helena continued to cast Thunder Blitz upon Reighild but it was still ineffective. Reighild then stretched his head and neck sideways and he dashed toward Helena. “I shall give you agony,” Reighild uttered and he captured the blonde woman, seizing her hair in his iron fists and lifted her up. Using his other arm, Reighild made a punching bag out of her. “Come on, Helena. This is becoming wearisome,” he said.
Helena slashed his chest with Retribution. Reighild faltered for a moment.
Without a moment’s hesitance, Helena quickly swung her blade once more and cast Anemosh. It created a sharp wind, aiming at Reighild’s arm and she slashed it as well.
He grunted in pain. “Now we’re talking. Heh. Let’s see which of us have the more powerful lightning… I call thee… Tail of the Swallow! Pisces!” then two whips appeared, imbued with lightning. “Come to me!” he exclaimed with fiery eyes.
“Why are you unaffected by the wounds dealt by my magick?” Helena demanded angrily.
“Oh, that’s all thanks to Virgo. Not only did my strength increase, but my defence as well. Heh heh…” Reighild replied maliciously.
“Tsk… Thunderstruck!” Helena cast once more.
“Oh, so you’ve harnessed unlimited power now. Did you know that a container for energy wears out when it is overloaded? Did you know your stamina is in grave danger whenever you cast Thunderstruck?” Reighild said in sarcasm and laughed, for he too knew the risks of these magicks.
“Omega Thunraz!” Helena shouted. Orbs of lightning scattered throughout the vicinity, emitting from her body. Omega Thunraz was a powerful spell which could only be used after a complete Thunderstruck spell. Whenever the orbs made contact, with each other or with elements in the surroundings, they began to emit sparks and then burst.
When the lightning orbs reached Reighild, massive explosions occurred, his body riddled with them. Smoke spread, which hid Reighild for a while. He laughed. “I never knew that you were this powerful. But I am sad to say that it is not enough to defeat me.” He emerged from the smoke, only sustaining burns on both his arms.
“Impossible…” Helena was left speechless.
“Now, it’s my turn,” Reighild said and he gathered momentum and whipped her, the strands entangling around her body, electrocuting her in the process.
“How foolish… my body cannot be damaged by electricity! I was raised by it!” Helena exclaimed, as her eyes turned white. She could feel the depths of the Fate magick within her fighting to take hold. The Queen had forbidden her to use it. But this was no ordinary battle.
“Well, I guess party time is over… I call thee… the great beast! Leo!” he shouted, and a massive broad sword appeared. “I am no Fate magick bearer, but I shall defeat your so-called Fate magick…”
“Retribution of the Light!” Helena shouted, and at once her hair went afloat; she fell into a deep trance like what happened at the battle with Tiamat in Veronia. Helena could no longer be spoken to, her priorities set on one thing alone: defeating Reighild.
Reighild at once was overpowered when Helena dashed towards him and her blade met his in battle once more. Swords clashed, each exchanging blows upon each blade. Neither yielding; both the Master Knights showed off their swordsman skills. “This is a different Helena… however; this Fate magick still cannot rival the power of Leo,” he mumbled.
Swords hacking and slashing, the duel intensified every second. A swift swing caught Reighild’s left arm and it was lacerated. Reighild halted for a moment, not relenting as his blood was spilled. Yet Hel
ena continued to assault, striking him again. Another open wound, a deep slash penetrated his armour. Reighild was starting to become light headed. He was losing too much blood.
Helena suddenly stopped, stood in front of Reighild and mumbled some words. Was the Fate magick depleted? She dropped her Retribution blade, and cast off her Valkyrian Wings. No. Just cocky.
Helena opened her hands and spread her arms wide. A beam of light shone upon her, blinding Reighild with the intensity of it. “This is your retribution…” Helena uttered, as she absorbed the light, transferring the divine energy through her, and attacked Reighild with it.
Reighild screamed in extreme agony, blood pouring from his wounds. Then he blacked out and fell to the floor. Helena too lost consciousness, but it was more of a white-out, the divinity channelling throughout her body continuing to radiate through her until she was lost in the light of it all.
Back at the throne room, Dio still gripped Jael by the skull, who could not even struggle effectively, feeble in the malevolent aura of the Dark Mage. “Disable your Angelus or else I kill the boy. Then I kill everyone, one by one. You’re not going to make me kill all of my future subjects now, are you?” he snapped.
“Drop him! Now!” Queen Jeannah screamed.
Dio then tightened his grip on Jael. Jael gripped onto the hand of Dio while screaming, struggling weakly to escape Dio’s grip. “I will ask one more time. Disable the Angelus or else his head will be crushed,” he threatened.
Queen Jeannah then disabled the Angelus. “Release him!” She shouted, and her voice echoed throughout the whole castle.
“Let go of him! Now!” Queen Jeannah shouted.
Dio cast Jael aside. The boy tumbled to the ground unconscious. He strode to where the queen stood now unprotected, her people cowering where the enchanted dragon had once sheltered them beneath its wings. Now only the queen stood between them and the Dark Mage–one man shrouded in black, and one woman cloaked in silver hair. “I need you to come with me, queen,” he said.
Teliko Mageia: Curse of the Frozen Flame Page 34