“Vallus he killed Kerra’s mother and the rest of our parents.” Zander said.
This news struck a chord in Vallus and a shred of humanity had shone through the darkness inside him. “Is this true?” Vallus asked his father.
Vallerus did not answer yet again, merely stood there staring at him. “Dammit you bastard! Is this true?” He shouted.
“Mystics should not be allowed to live; it is for the good of V’nairia.” Vallerus said.
“Zander if its revenge you want; I will be the one to take it for you.” Vallus said as he used his magick to place a barrier around the group, not allowing them to escape.
“Vallus no!” Kerra shouted.
“Before you die, I will let you witness the death of the man that destroyed your lives.” Vallus explained. Vallerus and his son drew their swords, the final battle between father and son had finally begun.
“Flame Art: Fire Stream.” Both warriors said as their flames collided, pushing against each other. “Great Fire Stream!” Vallerus shouted as his flames grew larger. Vallus jumped out of the way just in time. “Demonic Art: Dark Aura.” Vallus said firing a blast of dark magick at Vallerus.
As the spell hit his father it knocked him into a nearby building. Vallerus appeared from the wreckage, “Flame Art: Flaming Pillars.” He said.
The ground beneath Vallus began to shift and from it sprang multiple pillars of fire. Vallus dodged each one perfectly,
“Demonic Art: Dark Aura.” Vallus said firing another round of dark magick.
His father deflected the blast with his blade while running towards him. He used his blade to strike Vallus’ left arm and delivered a kick to his abdomen, throwing him off balance. “Flame Art: Great Fire Stream.” Vallerus said as he spat the flames upon Vallus, this time the flames had damaged him.
“Man they mean business, it’s incredible.” Heiro said watching the fight.
“So this is the power of the Flamehammer?” Ashe asked.
“Excuse me Ashe, what is the Flamehammer?” Kerra asked.
“That is what they call the Supreme Judge in Talias. Vallerus the Flamehammer.” She explained.
“The Supreme Judge is mighty; he will not go down easily.” Thesia said.
Zander couldn’t help but think of what would happen to them if Vallus were to die, Zander couldn’t stand to lose a friend it would kill him. “Vallus will win; I have to believe that he will.” Zander said.
“You’re certainly relentless old man.” Vallus said exchanging blows with Vallerus.
“I never would have thought you would have lasted this long.” Vallerus said. Their strength and speed was unmatched, the others could barely see what was going on. Vallus ran and jumped over Vallerus,
“Sword Art: Blade Extend.” He said as Ebony’s blade grew closing in on his father’s heart. Vallerus quickly turned and the sword went through his shoulder instead. Vallus retracted the blade as he landed.
“Enough of this.” Vallerus said as he held two fingers to his face.
Zander knew what was coming next, it was surely over. “It’s his secret technique, it will end this fight.” Zander said.
“No Vallus! Run away!” Kerra shouted but Vallus ignored her cries.
“Sacred art: Dance of a Thousand Deaths!” Vallerus shouted as the blade from his sword disappeared. He snapped his fingers and Vallus had vanished, he had thought it strange there was no blood or traces of his body. Suddenly Vallus appeared before him and stuck his blade into his father’s chest.
“That was my mirror shadow spell, pretty convincing wasn’t it?” he asked.
“It’s not possible.” Vallerus said.
He began to cough up blood, and spat at Vallus’ face. Vallus pushed the blade in further as his father cried out in agony. “Such a shame, your famed technique failed.” Vallus said smiling.
He drove the blade in all the way to the hilt; Vallerus couldn’t feel anything anymore he was fading quickly. “I’ll see you in hell.” His father whispered.
“I’ll rule hell.” Vallus said as he removed his blade and sliced his head clean off. He had killed his father, Zander’s revenge was complete.
Chapter XVI
Humanity
The barrier had lifted, Zander watched as Vallus stood over his father’s body laughing. He was enjoying this, he was free and so was the rest of the world. The tyrant judge was no more; the only thing that could make it more disturbing would have been Vallus dancing in his father’s blood. They had seen and heard of too much death already, it was starting to get to all of them. Zander couldn’t have imagined how Kerra felt, she had never seen someone die in front of her eyes before let alone someone being butchered as Vallerus was. Suddenly there was a scream from behind them, Zander was no longer spacing out.
Vallus was gone and no longer next to the body. They turned around to see a blade had pierced through the Baroness, and on the other end of the blade was Vallus. He ripped the key off of her neck and tucked it into his coat pocket.
“Vallus, what are you doing!?” Zander shouted.
“Mother!” Ashe screamed as tears ran down her rose colored cheeks.
He removed his blade and sheathed it, allowing Thesia’s body to hit the ground. “Now I have what I came here for.” Vallus said.
“You fucking bastard!” Ashe shouted as she ran up to him and tried to land a hit on him.
He quickly grabbed her by the neck and lifted her above him, “Watch how the light leaves her eyes as I strangle her.” Vallus said as he tightened his grip.
She couldn’t breathe; she kept flailing her arms and legs trying to break free. “Please Vallus don’t kill her.” Zander said.
“Why shouldn’t I put her out of her misery, she can be reborn in my new world; they all can.” He said.
Zander began to break down, “Vallus please she’s my sister, the only family I have.” He begged. Ashe began to lose color in her face, she was fading. “Brother please I’m begging you don’t kill her.” Zander said a final time.
Zander’s words seemed to get through to him; he began to have flashbacks of the two of them growing up together and training in the courtyard. They use to have so much fun together, they were brothers.
“Brother.” Vallus whispered.
He loosened his grip around Ashe’s neck and she fell to the ground, she started to cough trying to catch her breath. Heiro ran over and picked her up,
“It’s okay your safe now.” He said as he stroked the side of her face with his fingers. Vallus began to feel many emotions at once and was frightened. He turned and looked at Zander one last time and vanished.
Zander choked, he had finally had Vallus there in front of him and could have ended everything and brought him back home to the capital but he choked. He felt like such an idiot, Kerra’s mother was dead; now Thesia was dead. Everyone kept dying around him like he was cursed, if only he hadn’t been so afraid he could have fought Vallus long enough to wear him down and use the seal to purify his heart, that was the plan at least. Now he had to find Vallus again, being no easy task; but Vallus now had the key so it didn’t take a genius to figure out his next destination.
Ashe finally came to, she saw Thesia lying across from them on the ground; she was still alive. She immediately ran over to her,
“Mother it will be okay, we can find some way to heal you.” She said.
Thesia looked up at her and moved the hair from in front of her face, “No it’s too late she, you must protect your brother; he is the key to ending all this.” She said weakly.
Ashe began to cry, Thesia was the only family she had ever had; she raised her. This was the hardest thing she has ever had to deal with. “There is a stone on the peak of the mountain north of here, it can increase the power of each of your magicks; you must go there.” She said.
“I will mother, we will get the stone.” Ashe said wiping her eyes.
“I love you Ashlyn, you and your brother will get through this; your parents were the
strongest I have ever known.” The Baroness said with her last breath.
“I love you too, rest in peace now.” Ashe said kissing her forehead.
Zander helped her to her feet and they carried Thesia’s body outside of the city; to a little snowy hill just west of the city’s entrance and buried her. “We will camp here for the night and allow Ashe some time to mourn.” Zander said.
“No brother, I want to leave now.” Ashe said.
Kerra knelt down beside her and tried to embrace her but Ashe had shrugged her off. “Ashe we understand you’re upset, there is no reason to leave yet.” Heiro said.
“Dammit!” Ashe shouted as she forced her fist into the snow covering the ground.
They had said nothing, they knew how determined she was to end the fighting. Her mother had already been killed, who next? Zander? She couldn’t bear the thought of losing anyone else close to her.
“We will leave now, we have to.” She said as she rose from the cold blanket of snow that covered the hillside.
“Ashe I swear to you I will protect you with my life.” Zander said.
“No Zander I’m going to protect you, you’re the only one who can end this.” His sister said.
He loved hearing her call him her brother, it had never gotten old. He was glad he finally had someone by blood to call family. “So what is the deal with this stone Thesia was talking about?” Heiro asked.
“You’re referring to the Stone of Hylkroft?” Ashe asked.
“You mean Hylkroft the Godsage?” Kerra asked.
Ashe turned to her and nodded, “The most powerful mystic to ever walk through the kingdom.” She said.
“I’ve never heard of him.” Zander said.
“Mother use to read me stories about him when I was very young, he was the only mystic to ever control all elements of magick.” Kerra explained.
“So what does the stone actually do?” Heiro asked.
“The stone is said to grant the user tremendous strength and magicks.” Ashe said.
Zander knew they had to get their hands on this stone; there was no way they were the only ones who knew about it.
“Where do we go to find the stone?” Kerra asked.
Ashe pointed to a mountain range just north of them, “We need to travel to the peak of that mountain, there is a temple there where the stone is hidden.” She said.
“Then we will leave now, we need to get our hands on that stone before someone else does.” Zander said.
The others agreed and began to follow him down the path away from the city. It would be a day’s journey at least before they reached the mountain, and possibly another day to reach the peak; but whatever the cost Zander would avenge all those who have lost their lives.
They had almost made it to the mountain when they saw a militia squad up ahead, leading it was Omak. The soldiers readied their guns and swords,
“Well if it isn’t the little shitheads.” Omak said.
“What do you want Omak?” Zander asked.
“Well we were on our way to Rygoth to meet up with the Judge but here you all are.” He said.
“Vallerus is dead, his son killed him.” Heiro said.
The lieutenant was shocked by the news, “That’s impossible, the judge is the strongest in the kingdom.” The Lieutenant said.
“It’s true; Vallus finished him his body is back in the city.” Kerra spoke up.
Omak began to laugh, “So I guess that leaves me in charge of the kingdom, now doesn’t it.” He said.
“What are you getting at? The other judges are back at the capital right?” Zander asked.
“After he skewered that bitch he had all the other judges executed, death by firing squad.” The Lieutenant said.
Kerra became angry and clenched her fist; even now he would talk ill of the dead in front of her. He was just like Vallerus, he had no heart. “So you mean to kill us to is that it?” Ashe asked.
“Well I don’t see any reason to let any of you live.” He said.
Zander looked back at the others, “You three take the soldiers, and I’ll finish off Omak.” He said. The three of them nodded in agreement and prepared to fight. “Let’s finish this Omak!” Zander shouted.
“Try not to piss yourself, you snot-nosed brat.” The Lieutenant said pulling his rocket launcher off his back.
Zander unsheathed Ivory as he ran for the Lieutenant, but the strike was blocked with the barrel. Omak took out his small pistol and began to fire at Zander, but he was quick enough to dodge the bullets. He spun around and struck Omak’s hand with Ivory’s scabbard knocking the gun out of his hand. Zander was quicker than the last time they had fought, but that wasn’t going to stop the Lieutenant.
Meanwhile the others began to battle the soldiers, each of them began firing spells trying to dwindle down there numbers; but it wasn’t very effective.
“Lightning Art: Thunder Crash!” Kerra shouted firing a bolt of lightning at a group of soldiers.
“Earth Art: Stone Spike.” Heiro said as he stomped the ground causing spike made of rock to come up from the earth impaling some of the soldiers.
“Flame Art: Fire Dragon.” Ashe said as the flame engulfed another group of soldiers. They were making a dent in the enemy forces but it wasn’t enough.
Zander also had his hands full; Omak began firing rockets at him. The explosions had a wide radius and were hard to escape. Zander was caught in the middle of one and was thrown back against the rocks hitting his head. Blood streamed down his forehead as he turned over and looked at Omak who was preparing his last shot. “It’s done boy, you’re finished.” He said.
This could have been it, Zander was about to die. He at least had hoped that the others would press on and try to stop Vallus. All he could think about was Ashe and how she was about to lose someone else important to her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her being alone.
Chapter XVII
Stone of the Godsage
The lieutenant fired the rocket, he laughed as he pictured Zander exploding into a million bloody pieces. They had escaped him before but this time he would finally have their heads. The rocket exploded as it hit its target, shaking the side of the mountain range. Boulders began to tumble down the mountain almost as if they were racing each other to the bottom. Luckily no one was in the way of the falling rubble. As the smoke cleared Omak saw Zander standing behind a rock wall covered in water.
“He used two defensive spells of two different elements together.” The Lieutenant said to himself.
“Wind Style: Slicing Gale!” Zander shouted as the blades of wind came from Ivory.
He followed up with a fire spell to combine the two. The flames came for Omak who tried to dodge the spell but failed, leaving his left arm and leg severely burned. He winced at the pain and tried to ignore it,
“So you can control four different types of magick, your full of surprises aren’t you?” Omak asked.
Zander pointed Ivory’s blade at the Lieutenant, “I’m just getting started.”
He ran towards the lieutenant armed with his sword. Omak fired a rocket in his direction, trying to distract him. Zander ran up to the rocket and in one quick motion slashed right through it, he barely had time to escape the blast. He used the force of the blast to increase his momentum, “It’s over Omak!” Zander shouted as his blade sliced right through the Lieutenant’s neck, decapitating him as he passed by him.
Zander stopped to catch his breath as he watched Omak’s head rolling around on the ground. He had never taken a life before, but it felt different than he had imagined it. Somehow he thought he would feel more remorse, but he didn’t feel anything. The Lieutenant had it coming to him; he had helped Vallerus organize the hunt so he believed that he actually had done V’nairia a public service.
By this time the others had defeated the other soldiers and walked over to find him sitting on the ground staring at the body. “Zander are you okay?” Kerra asked him.
He didn’t respond, he seemed as
though he was in some kind of trance. Heiro placed his hand on Zander’s shoulder, “He deserved to die Zander, you didn’t do anything wrong.” He said.
“I understand that he deserved it, it’s just this strange feeling.” He said.
“What strange feeling?” Kerra asked him.
“It was satisfying to watch him die, it gave me closure.” Zander explained.
They had never seen this side of him before, it was almost terrifying. It was like Vallus’ words were coming from Zander’s body, it disturbed them. He was somehow darker than he was before; they feared that his heart would turn evil like his friends. Kerra knew something like that could never happen, she loved him and would never let him drift into the darkness.
“We are alright now, because of you Zander.” Kerra said bending down to kiss him gently on the lips. This had awoken him from his trance and he was alright, the feeling had subsided.
The three of them awoke the next morning feeling well rested. They were in better spirits than they had been before, especially Zander who had had to deal with many different things over the course of just a few weeks. Kerra was worried about him; she had wondered what would happen to his mind after killing the Lieutenant. They had seen no sign of Ashe, she had probably gotten up earlier to scout ahead; she was still mourning Thesia’s death and was not taking it easily. Zander knew to give her the space she needed and she would come around eventually.
“How are you feeling today Zander?” Kerra asked.
Zander looked over at her and smiled, “I feel pretty great actually.” He said.
His smile was definitely comforting; it eased some of the worry. “I bet he’s ready for another fight, aren’t you?” Heiro asked him jokingly.
“I wouldn’t go that far.” Zander said as the three of them began to laugh.
It was the happiest they had been in a while, they weren’t worried about Vallus, or the reawakening of the Demon king. As much as they wanted to take a longer break from their journey they couldn’t, they had to retrieve that stone from the mountain peak at any cost. The stone was the only way Zander would have enough power to defeat Vallus and save V’nairia. They began to pack up their belongings and walked up the mountain path.
The Fated Swords (Mystics of V'nairia #1) Page 10