“In the middle of the battle, I saw that the odds were favoring the Trasidars. But then, what caught my eye — the owl’s eye exactly — was a bright red glow,” Evangeline said.
“Red glow?” Graveloth asked.
“Yes. The scout owl turned its head towards it and there I saw a red glow, light or something and it sped through the middle of the battlefield. It seemed that it was going to hit something, then it hit Tamiron.
“It hit him and he knelt quickly to the ground. As the battle surrounding him raged on, he knelt. When a soldier went to check on him, he let out a huge roar and, well, you all know what happened next,” she said.
“That’s what gave me the nightmare. If you have just seen what I saw, you will all be horrified. You will not be able to bear what he did, or what that red glow made him do,” she continued, shaken by the thought of it alone.
“What you’re saying is that Tamiron is being controlled by something?” Aderon concluded.
“Yes. I saw it. And I saw that the crystal stone on his armor turned red,” she said, her gaze meeting Aderon.
“Red? Are you sure it was not green?” Sevidon asked curiously.
“Well, it was green before the red glow hit him. After that it suddenly turned red, blood red,” Evangeline added.
“And you had this vision in a form of a dream? Am I correct?” Aderon added. Evangeline did not like Aderon’s tone.
“It was a vision. But if you want to put it that way then, yes,” she answered back but Aderon giggled out of amusement. Evangeline felt insulted.
“Did I miss something funny?” she sternly asked him. Aderon started walking ahead as Evangeline followed him. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” Evangeline said in a high tone. Aderon stopped.
“Do you honestly believe that I would believe your vision? A dream is a dream. A fantasy, nothing more,” he said when Evangeline suddenly faced him.
“I am telling you the truth! You will have to—”
“Show me!” Aderon shouted in Evangeline’s face. Everyone stopped, surprised. But she kept her stance and stood him bravely. “If you can show me, then I will believe what you are saying,” Aderon said in an insulting smirk, waiting for Evangeline to do something.
“Just as I thought, you can’t,” he said. He walked past her as she felt discouraged.
Out of frustration, Ravaen stormed towards Aderon and shouted, “You!” Aderon stopped as he moved his head towards his back slightly. “We need to believe what she saw. If that dream proves that Tamiron was being controlled and is innocent of all what he had done, then we need to believe her! We have to believe her!”
“We have a mission and that is to kill Tamiron. If you are going to believe the nonsense Lyo and that Orderian then be my guest. She said it was up to us with what we choose to do. Well, I choose to finish this quest by what and how we are instructed to do it,” Aderon flatly said.
Ravaen closed in on Aderon and breathed, “You will do no such thing, Aderon.”
“What if he kills us? What will you do if one of us got killed by his hands? What are you going to do about it if he continued his rampage? You can’t because you’re dead. I might as well finish the job while your corpse is on the ground,” Aderon answered, standing firmly toe to toe with Ravaen.
“I said you will do no such thing,” Ravaen repeated himself.
Aderon shows a wide grin. “Make me,” he answered as he stared intensely into Ravaen’s eyes. Ravaen threw a punch at Aderon but he dodged it, and both pulled out their swords and pointed it at each other’s throat.
“Ravaen let him be,” Evangeline suddenly spoke calmly. The two looked at her and saw in her eyes the seriousness of her plead.
“But, Evangeline! He is going against what Lyo clearly instructed!” Ravaen shouted. But Evangeline kept her cool and walked between them, breaking the two off.
“He’s not worth it. Let him be.” Both of them withdrew their swords. Ravaen grudgingly continued walking ahead and everyone followed behind. Evangeline held Aderon by his arm. He did not like how Evangeline grabbed him but she stared at him deeply.
“It was not the only thing I saw. But I’m not going to bother telling you about it. I will not stop you for what you will do to Tamiron, but I will say this. After the kingdoms have fallen in his hands, if we fail, yours will pay the highest price,” she said to him and she let go of his arm.
Aderon did not give it much thought and quickly followed the rest. It didn’t seem to bother him what Evangeline said but he did think about it. Confusing him further with what he should do.
Evangeline walked ahead of everyone and Ravaen caught up with her.
“What did you say to him?” Ravaen asked. Evangeline looked at him seriously.
“I told him to do as he likes,” she answered firmly. Ravaen stopped.
“What did she say?” Graveloth and the others wondered the same. Ravaen turned to them slowly, still in disbelief.
“We need to guard, not only Tamiron, but Aderon as well. Understand?” Ravaen said to the others.
“What happened to Evangeline?” Sevidon asked.
“She’s acting really weird of some sort,” Glaivel added. Kaira was a bit worried but she didn’t speak.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know,” Ravaen said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The city of Tamara was mourning. A long procession was held to deliver the late King Madarick Lluch IV to the Trasidar Animos Shrine, where they would burn his body in the holy fire that ablaze in it.
The people were disheartened. Their beloved King, was now dead. They still could not believe the princess would do such a thing – killing her father in his own bed chamber while he rested. Bells all over the city had not stopped clanging since the break of dawn.
At the Palace cellars, Tamara cried silently as she heard the bells from outside. She could hear the requiem nearing the shrine.
She was out of it. She hugged her knees and rested against the wall, thinking what she could have done better. She wasn’t able to see her father. He was quickly taken away from her. Her guards tried to talk to her but she couldn’t hear them clearly beyond the bells. She just stared blankly into space. She had lost all hope, then the bell rang once more and this time it was louder.
She began to tear up again and she quickly stood and tried to pull the bars of the cellars, but it was no use.
“Let me out! I need to see my father,” she said in a shaky voice. No one answered. She tried to keep her strength, to desperately look outside the small cellar window on the wall. She could smell the incense that had been lit up all over the city shrines. Then she heard the largest bell ever to ring again. It came from the Trasidar Animos Temple, outside the city.
Her knees buckled. She covered her ears as the large bell echoed in the air for she knew, this was the sign that her father was being cremated. The sign that she would never see her father ever again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Evangeline and the other heroes walked their way to the ruins. The skies were filled with dark clouds that burst lightning every second. Evangeline suddenly stopped on a hill top and Aderon followed behind her. They were overlooking at something. And instantly, their excitement turned to fear.
“He did this?” Ravaen said.
No one could believe it. They didn’t have the slightest idea that Tamiron had the capability to do such travesty. Overwhelmed by the sheer sight of the devastation, they marched on, considering their options. If he did this to a large city in one day, how strong could he really be?
“Is this it?” Graveloth asked in a low tone, almost croaking.
“The ruined city of Melgrace,” Evangeline answered as they looked over the city.
Aderon breathed deeply. What should he do? Should he carry on what his father secretly tasked him or should he follow the mystical being request?
End of Chapter XX
XXI: THE RED JUGGERNAUT
THEY ENTERED THE CITY WITH extreme cauti
on, all of them keeping guard. They made their way through the city. Streets were littered with rubble and wreckage and their eyes were met with corpses. Blood was painted all over the ruined city.
They made their way towards the center where they believed Tamiron could be. They entered the Governor’s courtyard and all they saw were ruins. Evangeline and Glaivel walked behind as they guarded the flanks while the rest of the heroes stood front. Aderon looked at every direction, anticipating an attack. Sevidon moved vigilantly as he led the way, relying only on instinct. He had trained their enemy. He knew every possible attack pattern they could do from their stand. All he had to do was deduce his former student.
They stopped in the middle of the large courtyard. Evangeline’s hands started to glow pink but she seemed to be holding it back.
Sevidon walked towards the front of the governor’s palace, carefully guarding his flank. His steps became slower until he sensed something. He jumped immediately far back and the Governor’s Palace exploded.
They spread further apart from each other. Glaivel and Evangeline fell further behind. Sevidon, knelt on one knee, glared as they saw the figure across the clearing smoke. With glowing red eyes and his iron fists, their opponent grinned at them. Sevidon locked his eyes unto the gauntlets and to Tamiron.
“It is good to see you again, Teacher,” Tamiron said in a husky voice as he held his grin and then bowed. Sevidon stood up but fell back slowly. “Finally, a worthy opponent. And not just one, but seven. I can sense the ferocity, the intense feeling of your anger. Come, feed my hunger for a worthy battle. This is going to be an epic fight, one that will make its mark in history.”
“Where is your army, Tamiron?” Sevidon asked.
“Do you honestly think I would let some lowly foot soldiers fight? This is our fight. I’ve been craving this since Tamara. The cities and towns that I burned were not even close to a warm up.”
Sevidon’s hand fisted up. “Answer my question.”
Tamiron paused then said, “I sent them towards the remaining towns of this region. After I’m done with you, I’ll head straight to Tamara. Then go from there. After all, the fall of this Empire means your destruction.”
The seven spread further. Ravaen and Aderon summoned their wings. Tamiron stood silently from afar.
“Evangeline, try to limit the battle here. We don’t want this going anywhere,” said Sevidon.
Evangeline eyes glowed maroon and casted a force field big enough to cover the courtyard and outward. The center of the city was now surrounded by a dark pink wall high enough to the sky before disappearing.
“Aderon, Ravaen, attack him from above,” Sevidon commanded and they flew outward immediately. Tamiron held his ground, still grinning confidently at their pitiful moves.
“Glaivel, try to destroy his armor and wait for further instructions. You are the key to this battle, the rest will attack him head on.”
Aderon flew in circles in the sky. He had no choice but to follow Sevidon. He knew what he was doing, and for his goal to be accomplished.
“Graveloth and Kaira, you will try to weaken him. Keep him busy and try to throw him around. Do not let him focus on any one of us. If he does and manages to take out one of us, we will have a hard time,” Sevidon said to which both of them obliged.
“Evangeline, can you attack while holding the shield up?” Sevidon asked her.
“No, I need to focus since this is my first time casting such a huge spell. I am limited to two,” she said.
Slightly dismayed, Sevidon just nodded. “Let’s go!”
Kaira ran as fast as she could, circling Tamiron. Graveloth walked forward in front of Sevidon. Sevidon buried his shield to the ground and left it there standing.
“Evangeline, give me high ground,” Glaivel said. Evangeline quickly turned and slammed her hands to the ground. A huge pillar rose up from afar where Glaivel ran and jumped on it, carrying him upwards and giving him a bird’s eye view of the entire battlefield. Evangeline backed a little more to shield Glaivel from any attacks from Tamiron.
Graveloth quickly started the head on assault and the battle began.
He deployed his blades and summoned an armor of wind and sped towards Tamiron.
By Tamiron’s reaction, he did not expect Graveloth’s ability. He held both his arms across his chest as Graveloth slammed into Tamiron, sending shockwaves throughout the area. Tamiron was thrown aback but Graveloth continued his onslaught as they ravaged the Governor’s Palace.
Tamiron was pinned down. He opened his arms with all his strength, throwing Graveloth afar but was caught off guard when suddenly Sevidon emerged from behind Graveloth.
Sevidon lunged and struck a blow to his chest, hitting his armor and made the red crystal pulse. Sevidon noticed and quickly shouted, “Glaivel! Aim for the crystal on his chest!”
Glaivel nodded and quickly pulled the string and arrow, waiting for the right time to release.
Sevidon snapped back to Tamiron only to find Tamiron’s fist inches from his chest. With immense pressure and strength, he threw him back as far as Graveloth. The incredible speed and precision of the Red Prince’s large iron gauntlets dealt a blow on Sevidon’s ribs. But Tamiron was not done yet.
Enraged, he sauntered towards the two when Kaira came from his left side. A metal whip wrapped around his right arm and Kaira pulled hard, knocking Tamiron to the ground. Kaira dragged the whip as Tamiron hit the earth repeatedly.
Tamiron caught his footing and pulled the whip towards him. Kaira was instantly off her feet and he threw a punch on her face, losing her grip on her whip. She flew meters away but was caught by Aderon, who brought her aside.
“He’s strong,” Kaira said as she spat blood.
“Tell me about it,” Graveloth said, kneeling to the ground as he tried to catch his breath.
“That punch could have killed us instantly,” she said.
“We need to make an opening for Glaivel,” Sevidon said. They all nod and prepared to attack once more.
Tamiron stood up and walked towards Sevidon who was staring at him.
Out of nowhere, Ravaen kicked Tamiron downward. He jumped right away as Tamiron was able to stand fast and both lunged at each other. Tamiron was much faster and punched Ravaen right in the gut, dragging him midair before hitting the ground. The punch bore a crater on where Ravaen laid lifeless. Tamiron charged as he let out a menacing roar and set his eyes to Sevidon who was still walking.
Sevidon pulled out his second sword and buried the other one in the ground. He ran towards Tamiron and when he was close enough, he stretched his left arm sideward then a shield suddenly latched onto Sevidon’s arm, deflecting Tamiron’s devastating blow. When the shield cleared and revealed Sevidon’s face, Tamiron rushed to strike another blow.
Sevidon’s sword landed a solid slash across Tamiron, weakening his armor and pushing him back. They were dueling head on as they deflected each other’s attack off as they both held their ground. They were both locked, their swords clanged at contact.
“You are strong, Teacher,” Tamiron uttered as they both struggled.
“You are not so weak yourself,” he replied. Tamiron only grinned at him and struck another blow from below, locking each other. Iron fists and sword crossed once again.
“Tamiron, you are not yourself. Stop this,” Sevidon said. Tamiron laughed manically and pushed harder on the General.
“See the light, Tamiron, don’t dwell in the blinding darkness,” he said as he was slowly force to his knees, with his arm by his neck.
“Light? There is none here. There’s only darkness. No one will have the light you speak of once I’m done with you,” Tamiron said as he gripped harder on Sevidon’s neck and lifted him. “Once my darkness covers the land and my ashes cover everything. The light you speak off will cease to exist. And all hope for life will disappear along with it.” Then he threw Sevidon away.
Sevidon stood up, struggling to strike another blow.
“I’m i
mpressed. Despite you being like this, you still remember what I taught you,” Sevidon said as they continue to dance with their weapons. “Shame that you are using this to kill your own people!”
“They are pathetic! They are weak! The skills you taught me are proving useful at teaching these weaklings the way of the world!” Tamiron said as once again they both locked on to each other.
The two pushed as they moved in speed but Sevidon was barely keeping up. Suddenly, he saw an opening and quickly hit Tamiron’s head with the hilt of his sword and kicked him in the chest, throwing him hard towards Kaira.
She ran from across the field and stopped right under him. She kicked him upward with full force, throwing him in the air when Ravaen and Aderon struck him with multiple slashes from their swords in midair.
They made huge blows to his armor as he was falling to the ground. Tamiron angled himself and punched both Aderon and Ravaen when they were about to attack him again. He knocked out the two from the sky and looked down and saw Kaira and Sevidon waiting below. He let out a loud roar and his iron gauntlets glowed bright red. Tamiron threw a punch to the ground, making a large crater in the courtyard as Sevidon and Kaira jumped out of the way in the nick of time.
“What was that?” Kaira shouted out of shock.
“That was his strongest punch. Do not let it hit you,” Sevidon answered.
Glaivel finally saw his chance to strike and waited for the dust to clear. He saw the glow from Tamiron’s chest and released his arrow and it seared towards their enemy. The arrow flew fast but Tamiron noticed it on time and was able to dodge the high speed arrow. Tamiron set his eyes on Glaivel as he prepared another arrow.
Tamiron crouched, ready to charge when everyone launched a full assault on him. Blow after blow he managed to block them all. It was an onslaught. Tamiron against everybody else. He deflected all of their attacks, Tamiron pushed them aside and charged towards Glaivel.
He dodged the others along with the arrows shot by Glaivel. He was almost close to Glaivel when Evangeline buckled the ground in front of Tamiron and large spikes sprang from beneath.
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