Maelstrom

by Ajdin K. Denic

  The process of maintaining the shield around castle Vanadis placed a heavy burden on his immortal body. But what was a king without a kingdom, or without its subjects? It was almost time however, to leave this wretched hell hole for good and Chancellor Ballardo would see to it, or he would die trying. All they needed now was a few minutes of distraction from Bardos’ prying eyes so they could finish their ritual.

  "Chancellor Ballardo, may we disturb?" a voice called from behind the massive wooden doors. Ballardo’s eyebrows shot up as a smile made its way on his face.

  "Come on in," he replied happily. The massive wooden door opened a moment later, letting three men and two women into the throne room. The door hung directly opposite the king’s resting place, between two large pillars that went all the way through the castle to the dungeons. Large windows on both sides shone a light on the people entering every much as on the king.

  Clad in full plate armour, the three men stood in front of the two women who wore what looked like festival dresses. Both were armed with a great staff that shone brightly from the magic that was charged within. The three men were armed differently, though their armours looked almost identical.

  One held a great halberd in his right hand, while the second had two long blades strapped to his sides. The last man held a shield on his left arm and had a sword strapped to his right. They looked equally dangerous as the gods themselves.

  "Chancellor, we bear bad news," said the man who held his great halberd in his right hand.

  "The army has mustered along our border at Frelbore pass, all of it. As you know, that's the only way that leads into our lands, but it doesn’t look good. An even larger army has made camp across the river. Their ranks swell by day and number in the thousands by now. What is even worse, all of the dark legion is proving their loyalty to the Dark Lord."

  Chancellor Ballardo leaned back, closing his eyes. An expression of pain found its way onto his face as he grunted. The weight on his shoulders was heavy, and becoming even worse. With the king absent, he was the commanding authority for the time being.

  "What about the Dark Lord’s forces? What races have joined him?" he asked after taking a deep breath and opening his eyes.

  "The Drow, Orcs and Goblins are already there. The Serpent kin, half-Orcs, Trolls, Giants and the Jinns should arrive within the next few days from what we can see. Our magicians are tracking their movements as we speak. What bodes well for us, is the fact that our remaining allies have answered the call to arms this one last time."

  "Wait until you hear the rest," one of the other men spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. "What?" he asked incredulously, "I can’t help it that I’m excited."

  "That much we can see, Feris," the lead warrior replied angrily and sighed before going on. ‘The Elves and the half-Elves have already arrived. The Flying Folk, the Dwarves, the Treants and the Shifters have sent envoys stating their soonest arrival. What was the biggest surprise of all, came from the Undead camp who had sent their envoy. Their messenger said that they would ally with us in this one final battle. Their covens and packs have been killed in raids during the last few months, so they have no love lost for the Dark Lord."

  "Great news indeed!" exclaimed Ballardo. "Do you think we have a chance to win this battle?" he asked while stroking his beard. The general stayed impassive as he faced the old man.

  "No, we do not. Their numbers are far greater, even with skill on our side and the natural chokepoint at the pass. Even if our forces do survive, it would maybe number in the hundreds. I can’t see a positive outcome in this battle." The chancellor looked away as if in shame after a moment.

  "What about your armour?" he asked with a weak voice. Graldin narrowed his eyes on the chancellor, who cringed under the heavy gaze.

  "Thank you, generals and my ladies. In the name of the king, I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. No one would have stood up to them for a longer time than you have. No one would have led us better than you as well. Please, buy us more time until we can finally make it happen."

  Ballardo spoke with as much emotion as possible. He knew that his words were true, but they lacked real substance. A long life had made him discard most of it, especially after his wife and children died during a legion assault. Ever since, he had shut his feelings away and let life take its course.

  "Will we proceed with the orders that stand, chancellor?" Graldin asked, his voice like stone.

  "Yes, Graldin. They stand. At the expense of our allies if need be, but hold the enemy back as long as you can. We need more time. A show of force might delay them somewhat, but I doubt they will stop until everything is scorched. If they truly are amassing their armies at the pass, then this is it. This is the final battle."

  "I understand, chancellor. We will hold the line no matter what. You do all it takes to finish what King Raikou started. Save our people, even if we have to be sacrificed as well." Graldin put up his fist, pressed it to his heart and bowed slightly.

  "Get to it. I expect us to meet in the afterlife, not a moment earlier," Ballardo replied.

  "We leave!" Graldin ordered and led his subordinates out of the room. The door closed with a loud thunk startling Ballardo, who had already lost himself in renewed thoughts of losing this war. He walked over towards King Raikou and sat next to him.

  "Please, tell me how I should proceed if our army fails. I need you and your strength old friend."

  'What are you planning?" A strong voice rang out, startling him. He turned around to see Bardos and dropped to his knees.

  "Lord Bardos!" he exclaimed.

  "I asked you a question, human!" Bardos repeated more forcefully. His voice echoed throughout the throne room, the shock wave turning over pots, glasses and writing instruments.

  "Nothing, my lord!' Ballardo cried out, his forehead kissing the stone floor.

  "I'm not almighty in the Greylands, but I still am a god. Do not forget that. I'll not interfere with the battle ahead but trust me, you stand no chance. You will die a pathetic death, that much I can foretell!" Bardos laughed like a madman as he observed the groveling human prostrated at his feet. His gaze wandered off towards King Raikou and he smiled as his plan seemed to come to fruition.

  "Knowing what I can do even in this realm, you wouldn’t want to antagonize me. Tell me, what are you planning?" he asked again, this time with more patience.

  "Nothing, my lord. We are just humans, what can we even plan? We are barely holding on as it is." Ballardo cried as he spoke, knowing it would be more plausible.

  "I have a lot on my plate right now as a new game just started on Maelstrom. All my focus needs to be on that project so I can have no one work behind my back. If you tell me what it's that you are planning, I'll spare your miserable life when everyone else is dead," Bardos offered, his hand outstretched.

  His projection became more intimidating by the moment to the point where Ballardo lost control of his bladder, being old and weak as he was. Bardos laughed out loud and clapped his hands, almost giving the poor man a heart attack before leaving. Ballardo gave a sigh of relief, knowing they had gained a reprieve for the next twenty-four hours.

  "It's time, my friend!" King Raikou said as he stood up, his act over until the next day. They had been waiting for this moment, for Bardos’ window of blindness. "Call the priestesses, all of them!"

  Ballardo grinned and left the king’s throne room. His feet carried him swiftly towards the temple. The high priestess was giving a lesson to children, her voice cheerful but strong. The children sitting in the classroom were all paying attention, which said volumes about their teacher. Upon noticing Ballardo’s entrance, her face became serious. She twisted her head slightly as if asking him a question. Ballardo nodded in reply. A grin spread over the high priestess' face. She knew the time had finally come to finish the preparations. Within moments, she stopped her lesson and disappeared into her chambers. Ballardo, with nothing else to do, walked to his own chamber and changed into a spare set of clo
thing before making his way back towards the throne room.

  "Hello, strangers," the king's voice rang out as he looked towards Kaden and Laney’s ghosts who had been floating around the room. The two looked at each other and then back at the king.

  "You can see us?" asked Laney. Her expression was unreadable, while Kaden’s was one of pure shock and awe.

  The king laughed in response and nodded. "Yes, my children. I have brought you here to ask for a favour. Will you hear me out?"

  "And face the wrath of Bardos? Are you insane?" Kaden blurted out, his fear obvious.

  "To Bardos, you are just mere pawns, nothing else. Help me, and I'll free you from his strings when the time comes. It's an easy thing to do with no risk at all to your own person."

  "We are listening," interrupted Laney. Kaden gave her a stern look, but she brushed it off with a flick of her wrist.

  "We will stop time in here. All you need to do is draw his attention long enough and call out for me. It's very simple and easy to remember. Banished at dusk, returned at dawn."

  "And you will show up and defeat him?" Kaden asked sarcastically. Laney glared at him. He turned away from both the king and his friend, looking through the window.

  "We will make him mortal again as he once had been. That's the best we can do," Raikou admitted, sadly. ‘I wager Graldin will manage, but if he doesn’t, someone will have to do it."

  "Do what? Kill a god? Is that even possible, Your Majesty?" Laney gasped.

  "Yes, my child. That much I can promise you. He will die one way or the other. Graldin will take care of it as he has a score to settle with that beast." The king had a wicked grin on his face as he thought back about what had happened so long ago. Graldin would kill him for sure, he had no doubt about it.

  "I'll show you what I mean and then you will have to return to your bodies, as Bardos might get suspicious and inspect. Please, do not forget the words and stay alive."

  "We will do our best. Do not forget and leave us to ourselves when the time comes. We can do nothing against him ourselves even if he were to be mortal. We are too weak," Laney replied, her voice still unwavering.

  "Do not fret. My loyal subjects and I'll stand beside you in any way we can. Now, farewell my young friends. Stay safe." After the king chanted a spell, everything turned dark for an instance, after which everything turned into light once more. Kaden and Laney appeared above a battlefield, that was just outside of the castle.

  Chapter 5

  A hundred years ago in Maelstrom’s past.

  "My king!" a voice shouted as the door burst open. A soldier walked in, drawing all eyes to him. "The gods are interfering with the battle, we will not last much longer! Our allies are fighting with everything they've got, but even their magical powers are only a hindrance to the gods. Soon, they will breach the dome!" the soldier reported, bloodied and beaten. A bandana was wrapped around his head and right shoulder, soaked with blood.

  The king turned around towards the soldier, bellowing in response. 'We need more time to finish the ceremony. Buy us an hour!' he ordered as his faithful general Graldin stepped up. He knew every single one of his subjects would give their lives for him, but he did not want it to be that way. Why throw away lives as if they were nothing? They were fighting to save lives, after all. "And help that soldier!" the king added as he turned towards Graldin.

  "Priestess, you come with me!" Graldin turned the way he'd come from and walked back out, the priestess tight on his heels.

  "Give them hell!" the king yelled after his general.

  The two passed a group of elite bodyguards who were the last line of defense before one could get to King Raikou. They were more a show of force than a real bodyguard unit, as not even all of them combined could take on one general. And when it came to fighting Graldin, not even the whole kingdom combined with all of their allies would be enough if he got serious.

  All the soldiers nodded in a sign of respect. Graldin nodded back as he passed the group of men and women. As he stepped out into the courtyard, he ran towards the sounds of battle, not looking back if the priestess was behind him. Cries and screams echoed all around them as he entered the inner sanctum of the castle.

  "What do you want me to do?" the priestess asked, trying to keep up with the warrior.

  "Heal me for all you are worth and give me every possible beneficial status effect you have at your disposal. If I die, it will be all over with our defenses," Graldin replied without sparing her a glance.

  The priestess frowned, not really liking her duty. To her benefit, she said nothing as she cast buffs on Graldin while she tried to keep up with him.

  "General, watch out. They are launching boulders!" a soldier yelled, pointing his finger upward.

  They barely managed to dodge a falling boulder which slammed straight into a pillar behind the priestess, crushing it. She barely escaped death as Graldin pulled her away with astounding speed, partially in thanks to her magic spells.

  He held her close to him and looked down in her eyes, a frown of worry etched on his face. "Are you alright, my lady?" he asked, touching her shoulders.

  She nodded once, slowly as she looked into his eyes and blushed. With her pale skin like the moon, her cheeks stood out in contrast. A weak smile found its way to Graldin’s face.

  Pushing himself away, he took a moment to observe the situation within the courtyard. Inside, the threat was minimal with only a handful of Gargoyles, mounted Drakes and other flying vermin penetrating the defensive perimeter.

  The two hundred stationed magicians and archers easily handled the aerial assault for the time being, so he had no need to stick around. However, boulders were another thing, but they would have to manage them somehow. Turning around, Graldin found the priestess and nodded for her to follow him once more.

  "We need to hurry, my lady," were his words before he ran off.

  Two walls separated them from where fighting was thickest. Two large areas between the walls were already full of enemy combatants fighting the defenders. The middle yard was getting crowded as the outer wall had been breached in multiple spots he could see, allowing the assailants to take the battle further in. Corpses were strewn all over the place, dismembered or burnt to ash.

  The mix of different races was astonishing. Most of the soldiers were Human, but many of them were Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Elementals, Unicorns, Gryphons and even a small army of Orcs and Goblins, which belonged to him, together with the Elves and Half Elves. It made his heart swell with pride whenever he saw the full power behind the alliance.

  Graldin squirmed as a Minotaur pierced an enemy with his horns and ripped his limbs apart. A Unicorn ran through an Ogre with its magical horn a metre in length. Gnomes hurled fireballs, Elves shot arrows from afar and glided between the enemy while fighting them with two swords at once.

  A Gryphon descended onto a Cerberus, ripping one of its heads clean off and slamming its beak into the creature’s back and ripping out its spine. An Orc threw a massive spear, piercing the Gryphon, killing it almost instantly. Elementals descended upon the Horde, showering them with deadly magic.

  Graldin shook his head at all the carnage unfolding right in front of his eyes. He couldn’t take much more and closed them in preparation. All the death and destruction that this war had brought both sides, and for what? Just so one higher being could have his fun? One day he would get what he deserved, but that would probably not be this day.

  A Harpy streaked past him, bringing the man back to his senses. He shook his head and looked back at the priestess, who was luckily unharmed. He released a deep breath as he held her gaze and nodded to her.

  "What is your name?" Graldin asked.

  The priestess flashed a smile and replied confidently. 'My name is Milena, my lord.'

  Graldin snorted and nodded to himself. "I'll remember and cherish it forever more. You are a fine priestess, my lady," he complimented the woman and turned away from her. What seemed like a heartbeat later, he was alr
eady halfway up the rampart.

  At the top, he got a good look of the situation and outlay of the field in front of him. About a hundred metres separated them and the closest all-out battle line. Graldin took the last few moments to study the way he would take as his feet started moving by themselves. Whichever it was, he would jump into the thickest of it all.

  "[Swiftness], [Critical mass], [Requiem for life and death]." A rush of pleasure hit Graldin as Milena cast her full complement of buff skills. His speed, power and resistance skyrocketed. The priestess has done her job flawlessly, Graldin thought to himself. They could mean the difference between life and death.

  Every step he made was graceful, every strike killed an enemy in one hit. Decapitating heads, splitting bodies or maiming them so bad that they would choose death over life any moment of the day was all in the menu for the enemy. Screams and cries haunted the battlefield wherever the General moved.

  Graldin crashed into the main enemy concentration within the inner wall and slashed at anything that was wasn’t an ally. Swirling the halberd around him, he kept the enemy at a distance while cleaving through anything that came in range of his weapon.

  A unit tried to surround him upon seeing that they couldn’t hope to do anything on their own. His lips turned up in a wicked grin as he placed both hands on the end of his halberd and swung it in a large circle with all of his power. The shock wave drew everything towards it, giving the halberd enough speed to cleave through anything, including armor and bone.

  The halberd, whose name was death in a strange language, glowed bright green as it absorbed more and more blood. Hatred and rage took over whenever Graldin’s halberd had its fill of life, boosting the power behind his attacks even more.

  "He’s a monster," Milena whispered to herself, staring on in horror. "A hundred enemies killed with a single minute." Strange feelings coursed through her, briefly causing her to think if he was the enemy, and not the attackers. Such power shouldn’t exist in this world.