by A. R. Crebs
“To know that you followed His rules in this realm to the best anyone could? Absolutely. However, Dovian…has much to learn.”
Gaius’ forehead wrinkled. “His will be a painful existence.”
Azera placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “His sacrifice will not be in vain, Gaius. I know this.”
“You can see it?” the Elder asked with hope.
Azera smirked. “I can feel it.”
Sir Gaius nodded. “Then it’s time I retire and put faith in him. Go to the battlefield. Do what you can to disarm them. Kill as little as possible. Our goal now is to ensure Dovian’s safety. He must make the decision.”
Azera turned sideways. Pounding his fist against his chest, he bowed. “It’s been a pleasure, sir.”
“Likewise, my friend.”
Azera gave the Elder one last smile, a slight curve to the edges of his mouth, and took his leave.
Gaius looked ahead, his body absorbing the tremors caused by the attacks upon the shield.
“Lord, help us all.”
"The Courtroom"
Chapter 28
Dovian paced within his cell, gripping his hair. He could hear the thumping of missiles slamming against the city’s barrier, the noise adding to his anxiety. Such betrayal was unheard. Never would he have been able to acknowledge a form of darkness as great as that which overtook Euclid. Dovian had faith, believed in his friend. Now, the entire world was at stake, because of the selfish desires of one person. Frustration worsened within Dovian as he knew he was the only one left who could stop Euclid, and yet he was imprisoned. Did Gaius not realize the mistake he was making by keeping Dovian away from the conflict? The Sorcēarians had more than enough proof to Dovian’s innocence, and at a time like this, he felt he should’ve been released for the sake of his own people.
“Let me out!” Dovian screamed. “I don’t deserve to be in here! You need me!”
He slapped the walls, trying to find a weak point in the spell work where he could possibly break free. The thunderous booms never ceased, and the screams from the civilians only fueled his anger and desperation to help.
“Let me out!”
Dovian had no idea what had transpired after his removal from the courthouse. Was I’Lanthe safe? Lita? His father? Not knowing only worsened his state. Enraged, Dovian ran across the cell, shouldering the wall. It didn’t budge beneath his strength. He tried to press his power into the creases between the written letters on the walls in a desperate attempt to break through. Nothing worked, and the bands around his wrists only bound his magic more. He was virtually powerless within his confines. However, this didn’t stop him. Relentlessly, he clawed and pounded against the walls, determined to find a flaw.
“Will you cease your fit? You’re doing nothing helpful by wasting your energy.”
Dovian, ready to pummel the wall, skidded to a halt. “Father! What is happening out there?! Let me out!”
Gaius III stood outside the gate. He appeared tousled, lightly sprinkled with dust and blood. His image was ghastly, with his eyes gleaming in a way that matched the glittering letters scrawled on the stone around them. He stood firm, his arms folded.
“Are you alright?” Dovian questioned in a calmer tone.
“I’m fine, but many others are not.” Gaius III barely blinked. It was an expression that even to this day made Dovian nervous. It told him that the worst of circumstances had arisen.
“Please tell me they’re alright.” Dovian felt selfish to ask such a question when he knew others were harmed and worse.
“I’Lanthe is fine; her great-grandmother has perished. Lita is under the supervision of Karter. I saw to it. Sir Gaius mans the barrier surrounding the city.” The older man paused. “There are no more Elders.”
Dovian sighed, pleased to hear his closest were alright but devastated at the news of losing the others. “Then you and grandfather have succeeded to hold those positions.”
“Only I.” Gaius III spoke quietly.
Dovian’s breath caught in his throat. “Gaius II will not succeed?”
“He too perished in the court hall. He sacrificed himself to ensure the safety of others.” His father lowered his head.
Dovian gasped, his palm running over his mouth. “I’m so sorry. He was…you two were so close. And…oh, Lita.”
Gaius gnashed teeth. “Lita didn’t do well at first, but she adjusted quickly. She’s strong-willed.”
Dovian remained silent, dazed by the news.
“Listen, I haven’t much time to waste. Humanity has joined the war. I came here to check on you and to give you something.” His father peered at his wristband.
“How many nations are here?”
“Too many. Euclid has followers in his rebellion, as you saw. I’m not sure what he plans to gain from all this…other than mass genocide.” Gaius’ wristband chimed. His expression morphed into one of sadness. “Your mother….”
“Mother?”
Gaius grunted, his hand shakily clutching his chest. Dark shadows swirled around him, churning into two figures. Euclid stood behind him, a taunting smirk crossing his face. The second form belonged to Antron. He remained crouched with a dagger in hand. The tip of the blade had driven deep into Gaius’ chest. With a twist, Antron removed the blade and positioned behind Gaius, sinking the dagger into his back, the point protruding from the previous puncture.
Dovian gave a feral scream, his hands centimeters away from grasping the cage. The electric current fizzled between his fingertips, warning him.
“Why are you doing this?!” he screamed, his eyes crackling with hate.
Gaius quickly motioned to heal his wounds. Antron gave an unsure look to Euclid, and they both commenced an attack upon the older man. Dovian could do nothing but helplessly observe as his father dodged the two men. With one hand pressed against his chest, light seeping from the wound, Gaius used the other to summon energy-based attacks. His spells were weak but enough to sweep Antron off his feet. Gaius alternated side to side, trying to put distance between the two assailants. Euclid, however, avoided everything with ease despite his own injuries. Euclid’s impatience grew, and he thrust both hands forward, sending a cyclone of black inky shadows toward Gaius. The older man twirled with the attack, pressing it forward to slam against Antron who had just recovered from his last fall. With both hands, Gaius followed through with punches and kicks in Euclid’s direction. Unrestricted, he posed a greater threat, but his wounds were no longer healing on their own. Gaius’ time was limited.
Euclid teleported behind him, slashing with his claws. Gaius tried to retaliate, but his fist swiped the air as Euclid apparated behind him, swiping again. It occurred a few times, leaving Gaius swirling in circles, hobbling backward toward Antron who waited like a predator to pounce. Euclid shouldered against Gaius’ chest, and the older man flew back into Antron’s arms. With a burst of energy exploding from his palms, Antron pulled to the side and shoved Gaius into the bars, electrocuting him.
Dovian froze, reaching out toward his father, clueless as to what to do. He watched his father’s skin ignite with blue currents. Gaius’ life-force spewed from his wounds. Still, the older man gripped the bars, his wavering eyes peering into Dovian’s.
He spoke with a rattling voice, “My boy, observe. Life doesn’t end here. It’s merely a trial.” Gaius fought against the current, his body quaking. “You must fight it.” The pitiful look on his son’s face ached his very soul. With a quiet hiss, Gaius spoke once more, “Be more like your mother…and less like me.”
The energy within the bars burst, hurling Gaius away. Antron and Euclid stepped aside as the man collided with the opposite wall. Dovian gawked wordlessly ahead. His father no longer moved, his fight was over. His eyes had burned out, black holes in their place. His skin was no longer pale white, but charred and bleeding, the scraps of his robes clung to the cooked flesh.
“He held on for much longer than anyone else,” Antron broke the silence.
&nb
sp; Euclid cocked his head to the side, nodding in agreeance. “Interesting.”
“Is this really happening?” Dovian whispered. “This can’t be true.” It all felt like a nightmare. Though all that he had seen was traumatizing, his emotions dulled, his body ached with cold, and there was an erratic tingle in his chest. The event left him nauseous and weak.
Euclid snapped his fingers. “Goodness, you behave as if you’ve never seen death and carnage before. Of your own people, no less.”
“Don’t take this lightly, Euclid,” Dovian growled through his teeth. “I will kill you before the day is through.”
“Ah, but that isn’t to your code, now is it?”
“This isn’t a game!”
“No, Dovian, this is life! It’s unfair, it’s unjust, it’s full of traitors, narcissists, and hatred.” Euclid moved toward the cell. “And I plan on changing all of that.”
“By killing your own people?”
“Only those who don’t agree with me,” Euclid spoke so casually of the matter.
“Do you not see the evil in your ways?”
“And what is evil, Dovian? Do enlighten me, for you seem to believe I haven’t spent the last two-thousand years around it!” Euclid remained full of rage. Dovian could feel the darkness oozing from his aura.
“You have traveled too far down the road of darkness, Euclid. It has consumed you.”
“And you have traveled too far on the road of ignorance.”
Antron stood quietly by Euclid’s side, his mouth curled downward in a scowl. Dovian was shocked that the boy would even follow Euclid’s path.
“Antron, why do you stand by his side?” Dovian questioned.
Antron’s eyes lifted as if he had just awoken from a dream. “The Elders did nothing to help my family. Countless Sorcēarians are killed by humanity, yet we stand by and allow it to happen.”
Euclid smirked. “Antron agrees with me. Humanity is a virus that should be destroyed.”
“Humanity didn’t kill your family, Antron, Euclid did.”
Antron’s brow furrowed while Euclid’s jaw tightened.
“What do you know about it? You’ve been locked in here,” Antron scoffed.
“Euclid is a powerful illusionist. He’s capable of manipulating any human.”
“Such a strange accusation coming from someone contained behind bars,” Euclid retorted.
“And we all know that’s your doing as well.” Dovian glared. “You killed those people.”
Antron scoffed, peering sideways at Euclid. “What is he talking about?”
Dovian pointed. “He’s the one responsible for framing me for the murder of those two humans. He released Walten and had your family killed. He’s responsible for Bayerd and Sarkov’s death. He even murdered his own father. He manipulated the World Council to stand against Elder Gaius and forged his own war. Everything that’s led to this day is of Euclid’s doing,” Dovian harshly explained.
“Where on Earth do you get your information, Dovian?” Euclid said with a disdainful laugh.
“Is this all true?” Antron spoke up. “Did you really cause all of this? You’ve been lying to me? To the others?”
“Why must you ask so many questions?!” Euclid clawed Antron’s throat without warning. He sighed with frustration, looking back to the man in the cell. “Dovian, why do you insist on always ruining my fun?”
Antron clasped his neck, choking on blood, his eyes wide with shock.
Euclid leaned forward. “No hard feelings, I hope. I appreciate your family’s sacrifice to my endeavor. I hope you realize that it’s for the good of our people in the long run.”
Antron squeaked, dropping to his knees. The muscles in Dovian’s jaw twitched. After a few gurgling gasps, Antron fell over, the light fading from his eyes.
“His blood is on your hands.” Euclid pointed at Dovian. A drip of crimson splattered to the floor. “You’d be wise to keep your mouth shut from now on.”
“Do you ever take responsibility for anything?” Dovian’s emotions fluctuated between anger and exhaustion.
“Why are you so upset?” Euclid asked. He gestured toward the men on the ground. “Just like your father said, life doesn’t end here. If anything, you should be thanking me. Now your friends and relatives will all join in paradise. Nobody truly enjoyed living here anyway.”
“Does that make you feel better about your actions?”
Euclid pondered a moment. He clapped his hands together. “Not really, but then again I don’t really care what happens to them in death. All I care about is creating my own utopia.”
“You know how much weight those words hold.”
“Yes, but it’s completely different this time.”
“Is it? How?”
“I have His blessing!” Euclid held out his hands. “Truly, if this wasn’t in His plan, wouldn’t he smite me? Only one gets to choose how this plays out. And seeing as you’re in there, I’ll just have to pick up the torch, right?”
“This is maddening.”
“Unless you care to join me. One last chance.” Euclid neared the cage. “Join me. We will make a paradise. A perfect world void of humanity. We can build on the lands, preserve nature, have peace. Our people, forever and ever.”
“That isn’t what we’re meant to do, and you know it.”
“The time for antiquated ideas has passed. The world is tired of waiting. It’s time to put an end into motion. I’ll be the one to decide.” Euclid quickly halted his rant. He clawed his hair, smearing Antron’s blood through his tresses. “Dovian, my friend, it’s me. You know the true nature of my heart. I hold nothing but the best interest of our people.”
“Lies. Nothing but lies. You lie to yourself to the point of delusion.”
Euclid shook with anger at Dovian’s insults.
“For there to be paradise, there must be order. They need to be ruled. If they don't comply, they will be destroyed, simple enough. If I must eliminate a few of our own, then so be it. Like I said, they have a place in the Kingdom. It’s no loss to them, really.” Euclid cleared his throat, trying to appear sincere. “Humanity has no chance. They’re all damned. With my plan, I can give them a chance to live in paradise alongside us. At least for a little while. I’m being very generous, Dovian. Those people, out there,” he pointed toward the exit of the tower, “will die. They oppose us. With their elimination, we can successfully move forward and rule over the others.”
Dovian shook his head. “You can’t do that.”
“I will.” Euclid shrugged. “And if it takes me having to eliminate everyone you love, then so be it. I will have my way.”
Dovian paused, his eyes narrowing.
“Love has made you weak, Dovian. I know that the only reason you even care for humanity is because of the ideas your precious love has put into your head. My God, she even sided with the humans after they murdered her brother. Love is a weakness.”
“If you touch her…” Dovian growled.
“With her gone, there will be no reason for you to care about humanity. Your shackles will be undone. You can join me and start seeing things clearly for once. You and me, side by side, just like old times. Think of the perfect world we’ll have!” Euclid chuckled. “I don’t know about you, but I’m dreadfully excited.”
“Leave her out of this!” Dovian screamed as he neared the gate.
“The time for you to bargain with me has passed. We both know I’Lanthe will never agree to my plan. That’s why she must go. I’ll send her back home, Dovian. You needn’t worry about her or your bratty cousin. Ah, even if Lita agreed, she’s far too annoying to hold onto, don’t you think? That’ll be a favor to the both of us.” Euclid winked.
“You will keep your hands off them!” Dovian’s voice rattled the room.
A series of alarms went off over the city, a dreadful nightmarish sound, one like a thousand horns. A war cry followed with the commencement of marching footsteps. Euclid grinned from ear to ear. He stepped away
from the cage, pointing at Dovian.
“You stay right here. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything. It’ll all be over soon, and then you will see my plan come to fruition. It’ll be beautiful.”
“EUCLID!” Dovian latched onto the bars, pulling against them.
The Azure man paused, pure astonishment crossing his face.
The current from the cell jolted Dovian’s system. The pain was excruciating, unlike anything he had felt before. Gnashing his teeth, he fought against the force, his eyes spewing with crackling bolts. A deep guttural growl erupted from him, a rumbling of Euclid’s name. A sense of fear and doubt filled Euclid’s heart, but only for a moment. Dovian was strong. Euclid needed him on his side. If Dovian didn’t realize that he was the Arbitrator, then Euclid could persuade him to fight and annihilate humanity.
“You’ll change your mind. If you play the game my way, I’ll let her live.” Euclid poked his chin, feigning deep thought. “Hm, but that is if the humans don’t kill her. I heard there is a lot of distaste for her among the military generals.”
Dovian continued fighting the current, his knees slowly buckling. The horns blared once again, drawing Euclid’s attention.
“Think about it, Dovian.” He grabbed Antron and Gaius’ hands and disappeared with their bodies.
Dovian gave one last tug on the bars and fell to the ground, convulsing. The nauseating scent of cooked flesh tinged his nostrils. His world swirled around him—a blurring of gray and blue—until darkness took over.
A quiet chime brought Dovian to consciousness. His fingers twitched as his blackened, bleeding skin healed and pieced itself together, returning to its normal tone. Dovian moaned, feeling the shocks still tingling inside, dancing along his nerves. His spinal cord felt like ice; his back apparatus beeped in alarm. He rolled to the side, dry heaving. As he gasped; the air passing over his lips felt like fire. Shakily, he pressed his fingertips against the supple flesh, confused to find that it had already healed within a second. His lungs burned like it did after a cold winter’s night spent beside a fire. He coughed, spitting out a cluster of rotten phlegm and gagged, shuddering. How he was alive, he couldn’t manage a logical explanation. In one way, he was glad; he’d have another chance to break out somehow. In another, he was disappointed. He had just wanted this all to be over.