by David Roman
Damien frowned as he couldn’t hit his bold assailant, whose tactic he couldn’t determine.
Vincent jumped at the remains of the destroyed column’s plinth, bounced off with his left leg, and leapt straight at the dark lord. As Vincent was airborne, Damien released a wave of fire using both hands. The flame passed under Vincent’s left arm, grazing his ribs and burning off his flesh, but he didn’t care. Ignoring the unbearable pain, he concentrated on the blade. His right arm was stretched out toward the sword that was firmly planted in the stone pillar.
No, the sword that’s in my hand…
Vincent closed his eyes and clasped the invisible hilt; he felt it become a part of him.
The sword that’s in my hand.
As he opened his eyes, the sword wrenched out of the pillar and came to his grip.
Damien’s face took an expression of startled awareness the very instant Vincent came down slashing.
Vincent landed with his back turned to the dark priest that fell apart. The cloud of debris settled, and he saw Gaia standing there, unharmed, covered from head to toe in dust. She was alive. He dropped his blade and took her in his arms. There was a loud sound in the courtyard, causing the castle to shake, but they ignored it, continuing to stand there. She wrapped her arms around him so tightly that he felt her heartbeat. She raised her head and looked at him with those sodden eyes. He gently wiped the tears off her dusty cheek. She wanted to say something, but Vincent couldn’t resist any longer. He placed his lips on hers. And they stood there, locked in each other’s arms, in what seemed to be a timeless kiss—a far better way to die than any he could have imagined.
*
Spaide barely navigated his ship through the chaos in the sky. He couldn’t break his concentration for even the slightest of moments. Aside from evading fire from the enemy fighters and constantly shooting, he had to worry about the lightning from the giant’s eyes.
The number of Urtan ships was diminishing quickly, but they managed to wear down the shield of the Basin, lessening Cosmos’ chances of escaping.
With every opportunity, Spaide took a shot at the titan, hoping that his armor was finally cracked. “Cease fire on the ship!” he shouted into his radio. “Concentrate on Cosmos! They won’t attack us in his vicinity!”
A dozen or so ships joined him in circling around the main battle, followed by several hundred rival vessels. Spaide looked at his panel—only one missile left and not enough energy to produce blasts.
“Come on, guys,” he whispered. “It’s now or never.”
*
Galadan and the rest were surrounded. There were around eighty Urtans left by the stairs, fighting to the last, back to back. The end was inevitable. Their machinery had fallen, and every attempt to penetrate Cosmos’ armor was thwarted.
The demonic monks formed two phalanxes before their god and attacked. Aurora was behind them, screeching orders.
“Shut her up!” Damocles roared, fending off six men at once. “Before my ears bleed!”
Thanatos picked up a helmet and slung it over the monks, striking the witch in the face and knocking her down.
“Damocles!” Exander jumped over to his brother. “Cross-strike!” He pointed at the buildings that stood on either side of the stairs. “Now!”
“Right!” Damocles nodded and rushed to one of the structures.
Exander raised his sword and leapt over the charging troops, heading for the opposite one.
“Clear me some space!” Duell shouted to the Dargonian.
Thanatos grabbed Tyranno’s carcass by the horns and swung it around, halting the advancing enemy.
“Now!” Duell screamed out, got a head start at the clearing, leapt, and made his way to the giant by stomping on the heads of the monks.
The twins ran up to the buildings, jumped, and headed towards their target by running up and sideways on the wall. They reached the edges simultaneously and leapt at Cosmos, chopping down at his breastplate.
Exander’s blade slashed first, and before the force field could generate, Damocles’ sword sliced across. There was a spark, the shield appeared for a fraction of a millisecond, but then Duell struck from below with both of his blades.
The timing was correct.
There was not enough time for the armor to regenerate again, and it cracked with a boom, the blue crystal in its middle ceasing to glow.
“Sons of Urtan!” Galadan cried in triumph. “Take him down!”
Cosmos stumbled, slamming down his trident. Before he could realize what happened, a rocket exploded in his chest, causing a bigger crevice in his armor. The blast forced him to take another step back, but he still didn’t fall. He looked up at the small ship, his face distorting in anger as his eyes began filling with electricity.
Seeing a perfect opportunity, Thanatos shoved the monks aside, ran forth and jumped, smashing his fist into the fissure.
Cosmos lurched backwards again, firing the lightning bolt at the nearby building, but still sustained his footing. As he regained his posture, the Urtans rushed beneath his feet.
Damocles struck his sword through the giant’s boot, pinning him to the ground, and wrapped his arms around the huge leg.
“HOW DARE YOU, YOU PUNY MORTALS!” Cosmos roared, his eyes charging once more.
*
Spaide managed to dodge the lighting bolt, thanks to Thanatos. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any more missiles to help his comrades; it was time for him to improvise. As he circled around, he saw Cosmos preparing to fire down into the crowd. “Oh, no you won’t!” Spaide shouted, flying straight ahead. At the last second, he ejected from the ship and sent it crashing into the giant’s chest.
Cosmos growled and lost his balance. Dropping his trident, he fell back, toppling over his troops. The impact shook the ground, forcing the fight to halt.
“YOU WEAK FOOLS,” Cosmos snarled, starting to rise up.
The Horde stood in shock as Duell dashed ahead, ran up the giant’s leg and jumped on his stomach, raising the two blades.
Picking up his head, Cosmos saw a Xenian man running up his torso. Duell reached the giant’s breastbone and leapt, his arms spread wide. Cosmos realized the situation and tried to electrify his small assailant, but it was too late: Duell hacked down, decapitating the demon god. Cosmos’ eyes sunk in their sockets as his head was separated from his body, which fell back down.
Cosmos—the monster-deity that had terrorized the galaxy for ages—was dead.
“Nooooo!” Aurora’s loud wail echoed throughout the battlefield. “Noooooooo!”
There was a long moment as the warriors of the Horde dropped their weapons.
Galadan panted, looking about. There were a handful of Urtans left, still clutching their weapons, gazing at the dark troops who paid them no heed. Thanatos stood beside the twins, awestruck by the outcome as well, and Spaide came down in his parachute, clasping his revolvers.
The monks of the Order began taking off their helmets, revealing their faces. They were regular people, people one would see in every corner of the galaxy: hominids, reptiles, felines, canines, and every other type of creature. There were men and women, old and young. And they all wept. They stared at Duell and slowly, one by one, lowered their heads.
Duell jumped down from the giant’s torso and stood next to Galadan and the others.
“My God,” Galadan whispered, weeping in joy. “Sage Duell, I do believe in miracles.”
The abbess continued crying, her shrieks piercing the silence. “Oh, star warrior! You’ve killed our god! What will we do? How shall we live?”
“He’s no god, and was never a god!” Duell retorted with his officious tone. “You have been lied to your entire lives! And it’s by my hand that I’ve proven it!”
“Will you lead us, oh, star warrior?”
“No, because you’re free! No one needs to be told what to do! The spell of Cosmos has been broken! Go home to your families and tell them of this! Tell them that Duell and the Sons of
Liberty have freed you from the prison Damien and his false god have created!”
“Duell!” the crowd chanted his name. “Duell! Duell!”
“Go and tell them… tell them that freedom shall reign in Pantegonia!”
The Urtans dropped to their knees before Duell, weeping.
“No, my brothers,” the Xenian said. “Don’t bow to me. I’ve only done what I promised. I’ve not only freed you, but all those people as well.”
*
Hundreds of the former members of the Order gathered around the body of their god and began to carry it to the ship. The clerics wept quietly, following after.
“We could use such an army,” Galadan said, noticing the way the former monks looked at Duell.
“Not now,” Duell replied. “Let these people go.” He wiped the blood off his forehead, looked at his hand, and added, “Enough blood was spilled here today.”
Galadan nodded. “It won’t be long until the Republic invades us.”
Duell turned to face the King. “Go before the Council and bargain. You’ve won your sovereignty. Vermont will surely accept your plea this time.”
“What of the other systems that were under the Order?” Galadan asked.
“Let them deal with it on their own. Any collaboration with them will be viewed as a threat. I will visit them personally in due time. For now, we must wait.” Duell paused and then said, “Victory is not achieved without patience.”
“Zeth will not be satisfied. If we gain freedom, the systems under direct Imperial control will get smart ideas too. He won’t have it.”
“It should buy us enough time. News of what had occurred today shall reach the farthest ends of the galaxy. Thousands of systems will join our cause, and Zeth”—Duell turned away—“and all those responsible for the death of my master, will die.”
The monks transported the body of Cosmos inside the Basin while others began carrying away their fallen. The Order’s small fighters filled the sky, docking inside the bays of the warships that were ready to depart.
The Urtans came out of hiding, half of them astonished with the unfeasible victory, while others were crying over the loss of their loved ones. The remaining Urtan soldiers helped the injured and started searching through the wreckage for survivors.
“Master.” Damocles nudged Duell. “Look.”
Vincent and Gaia stood on the intact portion of the stairs, holding hands. The Urtans that hid in the castle were behind them. Vincent sheathed his sword, lifted Gaia, and jumped down.
The Princess ran towards Galadan and wrapped her arms around him.
“We did it!” she cried out in joy. “I told you they’d do it!” She turned to Duell, and despite his persistence, hugged him as well, nearly lifting the Xenian master off his feet.
“I did it, Sage Duell,” Vincent said proudly. “I’ve learned to control telekinesis.”
“Your powers are growing at a fast rate,” Duell said, shaking Vincent’s hand firmly. “Indeed, you are chosen for it.”
“You should’ve seen him!” Gaia said. “He single-handedly defeated Damien and his priests!”
“Were you hurt?” Duell asked Vincent.
“Well, a few minor—” Vincent froze, looking at his wounds. The burned flesh healed up, and the slash on his shoulder was almost gone. “Well, I’ll be…” He turned back to the Xenian master. “Rapid healing?”
Duell smiled. “Like I said, Oryon saw it in your eyes. We’ve lost a mentor but gained a powerful ally.”
CHAPTER XV
Farewells
It was around noon when the last of the warships left. The monks worked rigorously alongside the Urtans throughout the night, removing the bodies of the victims and searching for survivors as their warships subdued the widespread fires.
Urtans from all over the planet heard of the impossible victory and were gathering at the capital to lend a hand. It would take them years to fix the savage depredation that befell their wonderful city, but for now, they had more worries as they began to bury their brethren. More than two hundred thousand lives were lost in the Battle of Urtan—the battle that would be remembered for eternity.
Vincent and the rest of the team didn’t get a minute of sleep and aided the locals in rescuing those who were trapped. By midmorning, Spaide moved the Serpent from the woods, and after eating breakfast, the companions gathered at the airbase.
Vincent, Gaia, and the twins stood in the shade of the ship, listening to Spaide retell his side of the event; the Dirsalian screamed in joy, hugged everyone, and even tried to pick up Damocles before falling down.
Duell stepped away from the group and approached the Dargonian, who was heading away. “Thanatos,” he said, “where will you go?”
A huge grin appeared on the Dargonian’s face. “Corsair.”
Duell nodded. “I see… You’ve fought bravely.”
“Thank you, Sage Duell.” Thanatos lowered his chin respectfully.
“Have you ever thought about joining the Revolution?”
“Not my scene. I’m neutral and will always be.” Thanatos clenched his jaw and stared away. “I just want to be left alone.”
“Nevertheless,” Duell said, grasping the Dargonian’s hand. “You performed a very courageous act today. When we attain our goal, I will make sure to settle the issue with your homeworld.”
“It was an honor to fight alongside you,” the Dargonian said. “I hope to do it again someday.” He bid Duell farewell and headed for his small ship.
Galadan was bound for Xenon to vindicate his name and get the Republic to accept his new terms but still came to personally bid them all farewell—the heroes who saved his world.
“Where’s Thanatos?” he asked. “I’m amazed he only took a small fraction of his requested price...”
“Really?” Exander was astonished. “I may have underestimated him.”
“Without him, the outcome would’ve been different,” Galadan said. “May the One bless him on his voyage.”
Duell smiled, for he knew that the Dargonian was heading to raid the coffers of the Order on Corsair.
“What about you, Sage Duell?” Galadan turned. “Why don’t you remain here until I return?”
“Unfortunately, we can’t,” the Xenian replied. “We’ve further business to attend to. After Tetraxenes, we’ll have to make a brief visit to Kienor, and then travel to the Tariador systems. The Republic will send its spies here soon, so we can’t even cooperate with each other directly. Stand on alert and wait for my signal, for the time is nigh— soon we’ll strike.”
“I thought you’d help me find my homeplanet first?” Vincent interrupted.
After a second of awkward silence, Duell said, “The Grand Library’s on Tetraxenes. Worry not, Vincent, we shall look there.”
“Very well, then,” Galadan said. “My ship’s ready for departure. I hope we’ll see each other soon. May the power of the One watch over us.” He approached everyone and bid them farewell in a manner of utmost respect, and as he neared Duell, he nearly knelt.
“I’ll be going with him,” Gaia said as the Urtan headed away.
“What?” Duell said. “I thought you’d accompany us to Tetraxenes?”
“I… but Galadan…” she stammered, but then straightened and said, “I have to go to Xenon; my people need me.”
“Your people? You’re wanted! It’s dangerous now; you must come with us, Princess.”
“Maybe we’ll meet again, Sage Duell,” she insisted. “But there are things that need to be accomplished, and they cannot be done without me. Besides, I’m sure I can explain all of this.”
“Don’t be so stubborn—”
“I’m going,” she stated sharply. Two Urtan warriors came to her side as she said goodbye to everyone. “Vincent,” she said, approaching him last. She looked him in the eyes, half shyly. “Goodbye… and I hope you find your way home.” She then turned around and went after Galadan.
Vincent was devastated to let her go, ye
t he simply stood there watching her walk out of his life as suddenly as she entered it. Each step she took stabbed him through the heart like a Palermius sword.
“You blubbering, whining fool,” Exander said as she was away.
“What…?” Vincent turned around in confusion.
“She fell for you, man!” Spaide added. “Even a blind man can see it! And you’re just gonna let her walk away like that? What’s wrong with you?”
“You’ve heard it… she has responsibilities… her people…” But in his heart Vincent knew that he was just making excuses, denying the fact that he had fallen for her as well.
“Your cries ’bout bein’ homesick drove her away!” Spaide continued chastising him. “Don’t you realize she’ll die on Xenon? They’re gonna kill her!”
Vincent shrugged. “What do you want me to do?”
“Stop her, you fool! Tell her how you feel!”
“Was your life of such high importance back on Earth?” Duell asked calmly. “Did it have a purpose before you came to us? What is so important there that you urge to get back?”
And in that instant, everything made sense to Vincent. There was nothing back home that he required—nothing. How could I’ve been so blind? Like they said, it was simply nostalgia. He was afraid of the unfamiliar and missed the convenience of being safe in his cozy apartment. He began a great adventure—one he had been wishing for his entire miserable life. That is what his last dream meant. He had to make the ultimate choice—to say farewell to Earth, farewell to his former life.
Vincent looked up at Duell, opened his mouth, but then saw that the Xenian had already read his mind. Without uttering a word, he turned around and ran after the Princess.
Duell faced the twins. “Exander, Damocles, once we reach Tetraxenes, I shall begin to teach you the final secrets of the Tel Kasar power.”
“You mean the Trials?” the twins asked in unison and looked at each other.
Duell nodded. “Yes.”
“But aren’t we too young?” Damocles asked.