The Fated Swords (Mystics of V'nairia #1)

by J. C. Ritchie

  Zander looked down at the ground and then up at his friend. “Yes if it comes to that.” He said.

  They fist bumped each other and smiled, then looked up at Diaboro. The monstrous demon stood staring at them with rage, its eyes shone as bright as the sun in the dark cave. “Vallus, if were going out lets go out with a bang.” Zander said as he released Ivory.

  Vallus also released Ebony, “Right brother.” He said in agreement.

  “If you think you can defeat the lord of demons then come and try.” Diaboro bellowed.

  Zander and Vallus had taken off toward the large demon. As they passed by his legs they struck him with their blades. The demon hadn’t even flinched and proceeded to try and grab them with its large claws. Zander and Vallus had been much faster than Diaboro anticipated thanks to their magick boosting their speed and strength. Vallus thrusted his sword into Diaboro’s foot and twisted the blade, quickly pulling it back out. Diaboro had let out a loud roar as he felt the pain from Ebony’s blade. The demon began to fire beams from its eyes that burned holes through anything they had touched.

  “Zander watch out for that attack, it’s fatal.” Vallus shouted. Zander nodded quickly dodging an oncoming beam attack. Diaboro had swung his large broad sword; a gust of wind came and swept the two boys into the back of the cave.

  They rose to their feet unharmed, “We have to get to the heart, it’s the only way to kill him.” Vallus said.

  “How do you suppose we do that?” Zander asked.

  “I’m not entirely sure at this point.” Vallus said.

  “Well that’s not very comforting.” Zander said.

  “We could try a long range approach?” Vallus asked.

  “Okay then let’s go with that.” Zander said rolling his eyes.

  They ran up to Diaboro once more this time refraining from getting too close. “Flame Art: Great Fire Stream!” both of the boys shouted as they spat flames from their lips.

  The flames ran up Diaboro’s tall body and hit his face. The demon had begun to jump around trying to stomp them. The flames had made it hard to see them. Zander jumped up onto Diaboro’s arm while Vallus kept him blind with his fire spell. Zander ran up his arm and finally reached his shoulder. Vallus released his spell and watched as Zander had taken his sword and sliced the side of Diaboro’s neck.

  Ignoring the pain from the gash in its neck the demon grabbed Zander and crushed him in his palm. Diaboro held him in front of his face, and glared at him, Zander was helpless.

  “I have you now little man.” The demon said squeezing Zander’s tiny body.

  The pain had become too much for Zander to bear, “Vallus!” he shouted in agony.

  Vallus had to think of something quick or Zander would be crushed to death. “Demonic Art: Blood Axe!” Heiro shouted out of nowhere.

  The blood axe came down and sliced right through the Demon’s hand. Zander was released from its grasp and began to cough.

  “Flame Art: Triple Fire Shot!” Ashe shouted firing the arrows into Diaboro’s chest. The arrows exploded but the attack hadn’t been very effective.

  “I thought we told you two to stay back.” Vallus said.

  “So we can watch you both get killed? I don’t think so.” Heiro said.

  “Besides we did save Zander and helped you out.” Ashe said.

  “Yes thank you both.” Vallus said.

  She was right they acted quickly whereas Vallus had not, they saved him. “I know what we need to do, but you two need to leave the cave.” Zander said as he rose to his feet.

  His body was still aching from being squeezed so tightly by Diaboro’s hand. “We are not leaving you here to die!” Ashe shouted.

  “Ashe you are my sister and I love you but right now you need to listen to me.” Zander said. She could tell he was being serious but at the same time she didn’t want to leave and risk never seeing him again.

  “Heiro, please take Ashe and get out of here.” Zander said.

  “Okay but you better not get yourself killed.” He said.

  He grabbed her and walked her through the back of the cave. She didn’t speak, but he could see the fear in her eyes as she walked away. They walked out of the entrance of the cave and didn’t look back.

  “What is this plan of yours?” Vallus asked.

  “I think it’s time we seen what these swords can really do.” Zander said.

  Vallus had begun scratching his head, “I’m not sure I’m following you.” He said.

  “Just follow my lead.” Zander said.

  Vallus nodded and followed him as he ran at the demon once more. “Wind Art: Slicing Gale.” Zander said as he released the blades of wind from his sword.

  Vallus followed up with his fire spell, “Combination Art: Flame Vortex!” they both shouted as the two spells collided.

  The intensity of the flames kept Diaboro at bay for a few moments. Vallus had then realized the attack wasn’t meant to damage the demon it was meant as a distraction.

  “Vallus we have to combine our magick energy into one attack with our swords.” Zander said.

  The two of them began to gather has much energy as they could. Their blades had begun to grow and were glowing with a black and white aura. “Combination Art: Twin Lotus Blades!” they shouted as they jumped up into the air and slashed Diaboro with their blades.

  The strike had formed an X shape on the demon’s body. The force of the blow had knocked Diaboro off his balance. They watched as the great lord of demons fell on his back. They landed on its body just above its heart.

  The demon laughed, “You cannot defeat me, I will return again.” Diaboro said.

  “This time were not sealing you away.” Vallus said. “Were sending you back to hell!” Zander screamed as they thrust both the cursed blades into Diaboro’s heart.

  They jumped down from its body and watched as a light came from the swords and filled the cave. There was a great explosion and the mountain began to give way. Diaboro’s body began to disintegrate and fade into black dust.

  Outside Heiro and Ashe watched as the mountain came down, they had feared the worst. There had been no sign of Zander or Vallus at all. Tears began to fall from Ashe’s eyes as the thought of never seeing her brother again passed through her mind. As the dust began to settle, Heiro had seen something off in the distance.

  “Ashe, look over there.” Heiro said pointing to the wreckage. She had raised her head and wiped her eyes. The next thing she saw had gave her instant relief; it was Zander and Vallus walking towards them. She ran over to her brother and hugged him tight.

  “I thought you were dead.” She said in the midst of crying.

  “Ya know, for a second there I thought I was too.” He said and began to laugh. Vallus watched Zander and Ashe as they held each other. He was glad that Zander had finally known what it was like to have real family around. He had never seen him happier.

  “Well now that this mess is over, why don’t we all go back to the capital?” Vallus said.

  “I definitely like that idea; I’ve had enough adventuring for a while.” Zander said smiling.

  “Before we go there is something I’ve been meaning to do.” Heiro said as he took Ashe by the hand.

  He pulled her close and looked into her eyes. “I know we haven’t known each other that long but I never really cared for time.” He said.

  “I’m confused, what’s going on?” she asked him.

  “I love you Ashe, I felt a connection from the moment I saw you. Will you marry me?” Heiro asked her.

  Zander and Vallus were just as surprised as she was. Ashe was speechless; she didn’t know what to say. “No.” she said.

  Heiro’s facial expression changed, he was disappointed. “Ya know you could buy me dinner and we can see where it goes from there.” She said smiling.

  “Of course.” He said leaning down to kiss her.

  Zander and Vallus both began to laugh and walked away from them. Heiro and Ashe quickly followed behind them hand
in hand. They were finally on their way back to the capital, they had won and everything was going to be okay. Zander thought about Kerra and although while he was sad she was gone, he knew that she would always be watching over him so that meant she would always be close to his heart.

  Epilogue

  5 years later,

  Zander stood before the academy’s newest graduates in his new uniform. Ivory was still latched on his side; he could never part with it. He had replaced Omak as the new Lieutenant of the militia. He had finally become a war hero just as his father had been before he died. The entire kingdom had heard of their triumph over the king of demons. The four of them were worshipped as the heroes of V’nairia. As they returned to the Capital and were granted their new roles, they had to Part Company for a while.

  Heiro had moved to the city of Talias and now lives at Thesia’s old estate. He had it rebuilt to his own liking. He was also offered the title of Duke of Talias which he gladly accepted on the condition that none one would refer to him as “Duke.” He had also temporarily taken over leadership of the Order of the Cursed Blades, who have currently been recruiting new members. The kingdom had forgiven him for his thieving and murdering under the impression that he was being possessed by demons, which they all knew had been close to the truth at one point. He was resting comfortably in his new home.

  Ashe on the other hand remained in the Capital, despite the fact she was seeing Heiro. They had decided that for now they would focus on rebuilding the kingdom and focus on their relationship later. Ashe is now on the High Court as a judge, she is often called The Fire Drake despite her position. The nickname never really bothered her; it actually had grown on her after the battle in Talias. She also liked the fact that her brother lived in the same city, she could finally get to know him better and see him often. Zander hated the fact that she outranked him and gave him orders but he knew there was no use in complaining.

  Vallus had become the new Supreme Judge of V’nairia and still wielded Ebony as his weapon. He had learned to better control its demonic power and only uses it for good now. He had chosen his new members on the High Court, he had specifically picked Ashe for her position and knew that Zander would be better suited in the Lieutenant position. He had overturned his late father’s previous laws against the mystic race. Now everyone was allowed to live in harmony once again under his rule. V’nairia was finally prospering, the first time in ages. Everyone had been much happier and felt safer knowing they had their heroes around to protect them.

  Kerra was gone but not forgotten, Vallus and Zander had seen to that. They had built a large stone statue of an angel holding a lightning bolt to honor her. They even engraved her name at the bottom of the memoriam so everyone would know the one true hero of the kingdom. She had saved all of their lives; especially Zander’s who without her would have been long gone. Zander still loved her and to him she was not far away, he always held her very close to him. Vallus and Zander both met at the statue often to talk and discuss the goings on in the kingdom with her spirit. Everything was fine now, as fine as things could be.

  Zander stood on the stage in the academy’s auditorium about to give his speech when the double doors burst open. Vallus walked into the room clad in his new black armor that he had the blacksmith craft for him. Even the sight of it had made Zander jealous of him. Following him were too of his elite guard for protection, which Vallus didn’t need at all. If anything it was more of a formality. Zander and the new graduates knelt before him as he approached the stage. They were the only ones in the room; the militia had never really cared for public events. It was a small intimate gathering of the boy’s induction into service.

  “I hope I haven’t missed the speech.” Vallus said as he motioned them to rise.

  Zander rose to his feet and walked over to him, “Not at all sir.” Zander said as he stood before Vallus.

  They stared at each other for a moment and then embraced each other as family. Vallus looked out to the graduates sitting in their seats,

  “Looks like you have trained some fine men Lieutenant.” He said commending Zander on his excellent work.

  “Can you believe it’s been five years today?” Zander asked.

  “I know it doesn’t seem like long ago at all. But look at everything we have achieved in such a short time.” Vallus said.

  They looked down at their swords, “I guess we will always be bound as brothers.” Zander said smiling.

  “We never needed the swords to know that Zander.” Vallus replied smiling back at him.

  Suddenly the doors opened again and an older man rushed over to them. His graying hair sat flat upon his head. “Ah Zander this is my new councilman, Braigan.” Vallus said introducing them.

  The old man knelt before Zander and Vallus and rose up to hand Vallus a letter. “Your lordship this came for you only moments ago.” Braigan said.

  Vallus took the letter from him and examined it. The seal was as white as Ivory’s Sheath. Vallus broke the seal and looked over the letter. His facial expression changed as though he was confused.

  “Vallus, what does it say?” Zander asked.

  Vallus did not speak; he kept looking over the letter. Vallus opened his mouth to speak “Who sent this letter?” he questioned Braigan.

  Braigan shook his head, “I am not sure my lord, the letter was lying on the desk in your office.” The old man said. Vallus thought this peculiar and didn’t know what to think.

  “Had anything in the office seemed odd to you?” Vallus asked.

  “No sir, your window was open but I had figured you had forgotten to close it so I did instead.” The councilman spoke. Vallus handed Zander the letter, he opened it again and it read:

  Under the grace of the God almighty

  You are invited to the coronation of

  The Crusader King, Lord of V’nairia

  It didn’t make sense; V’nairia had no king only the judges and its government that ruled over the land. Zander thought it had been some sort of joke, but wasn’t entirely sure. There was a seal at the bottom, it was the same as the one on the front of the letter, it had a white crown with the double swords behind it. Vallus had never seen this seal before; he had never known that such a clan existed if it even had been a clan. Nothing was currently known as too the purpose of the letter but one thing was for certain; it had made them feel uneasy.

  Introducing

  If you enjoyed THE FATED SWORDS

  Look out for

  The Crusader King

  Book two of the Mystics of V’nairia series

  By J.C. Ritchie

  The ice covered the High Court’s chambers; the doors had also been frozen shut so there was no escape. Zander could hear the explosions and screams coming from outside the building. He couldn’t think about that now, not with his enemy in front of him. His attacker ran towards him with his blade crafted from pure ice, Zander quickly blocked the strike with Ivory and pushed back his opponent. The man had short silver colored hair and piercing blue eyes. He was much older and taller than Zander had been but he had the energy of someone Zander’s age.

  “Who the hell are you?” Zander asked. The man lowered his weapon and loosened up his stance,

  “I am Mikhail, a messenger sent by God to acquire the holy sword for my master.” The man said.

  Zander chuckled, “You’re kidding right?” he asked. The man’s expression changed, he had become offended.

  “You mock God before me?” he asked. “How very foolish of you.”

  Zander looked down at his sword and then back at the man across the room, “Why does your master need my sword?” Zander asked.

  “That is none of your concern, besides it is not your sword to claim.” Mikhail said.

  “The sword is bound to me.” Zander said.

  He didn’t know who this stranger was or what his real reason for being in the capital, but Zander knew he had to stop him before he could do anymore damage. “It may be bound to you now, but you ar
en’t the original owner.” Mikhail said.

  Zander was starting to get frustrated by his many riddles, “Then who was the original owner of the holy sword?” Zander questioned him.

  “My master the crusader king had that sword crafted for him by the almighty God himself.” Mikhail said excitedly.

  Zander raised his sword level with that of Mikhail’s face, “I don’t have time for your God talk, I have a kingdom to protect.” He said.

  Mikhail gazed into Zander’s eyes, “I shall allow my savior to pass judgment on your wretched soul.” He said as he ran towards him once more.

  Mikhail lunged at Zander with his blade of ice; meanwhile Zander went to block the attack again. Mikhail had planned to fake the attack all along; instead he leapt over Zander’s head and turned in mid-air. “Ice Art: Frozen Spire!” the man said as a pointed spike made of ice came up from the chamber floor.

  Zander had performed a backflip just in time to safely dodge the spell. Zander watched as Mikhail gracefully landed on the ground again. “I never knew ice was a type of elemental magick.” He said.

  “Normally it isn’t but when you combine water and wind magick you get ice.” Mikhail explained.

  Zander knew he couldn’t keep this up, the fight was getting nowhere. He had to get out of the room and find Vallus; he turned his attention toward the double doors of the chamber that were frozen shut. “Flame Art: Fire Stream.” He said concentrating the fire spell on the door.

  He had quickly begun to notice that the flames were not melting the ice. “Nice try, but I infused the ice on the door with a greater amount of magick energy.” Mikhail explained. “Your flames can’t touch it.”

  The silver haired man had proved to be quite the opponent, he had thought ahead and blocked Zander’s only exit out of the room. The window wasn’t an option either; the chamber was too far up in the building to jump. Zander was going to have to defeat him in order to leave. “Wind Art: Slicing Gale!” Zander said using Ivory to project his wind spell.

  The blades of wind surrounded Mikhail, Zander quickly used his fire stream spell to combine his fire and wind magick engulfing Mikhail in the flames. When the flames subsided Zander saw Mikhail encased in a block of ice. The ice began to crack and then shattered. Mikhail dusted himself off and looked over at his already tired opponent. “How did you do that?” Zander asked.