When the clouds had drowned out the sun and cast a dark shadow over the battle below the rain began. Nes kalibas appeared from the clouds riding on the backs of blue dragons. They jumped down onto the airships and began to fight the crews aboard while others flew down to the ground. Water started coming up from the earth and formed a body of water deep enough for the nes kaliba as heavy rain poured from the clouds. The dragons flew the nes kaliba to the airships and back to water in an orchestrated fashion.
The talisman on Gathar’s chest was glowing brighter than ever and felt like burning ice against his chest. This time, he welcomed the cold. Small crystals started to form around it and embed themselves into his skin. Numb from the cold, it barely felt like a slight tickle, yet he carried on. The nes kaliba had a unique call to each other as they passed from being in the open air to underwater. They sounded like birds during mating season. It was a unique sound to hear during such a time and Gathar couldn’t help himself but laugh. When he stopped laughing, a black bird flew down beside him.
Ptolemy transformed to his human form and nodded genuinely to his father before summoning his orange staff from Chugean out of thin air. Gathar felt a great deal of pride in Ptolemy. He had grown up so much in such a short period of time. He was also disheartened by the same fact. A green aura appeared around them a split second before a hot white fireball from Emalf burst against it. Gathar flinched, but Ptolemy did not for he knew the protection spell would cover them. “Thanks!” he said patting his son on the back. Lightning struck. Thunder boomed. A fizzling followed. Emalf flew through the air being drenched by the downpour that had no effect on the fires burning. He saw the nes kaliba and dragons attacking the airships and decided to blast them out of the sky even if it meant the death of his allies. He took out each airship one by one, but it was a pointless act because the dragons and nes kaliba were too quick to become trapped in his rampage. The rain started to lighten up and there were several feet of water on the ground. The warriors and demons marched through it to attack one another. The shorter dwarves swam for higher ground or climbed onto the backs of those willing to carry them. The dragons brought all the nes kaliba down to the ground and took flight around Emalf. Time was ticking by quickly, but Sarella and Ptolemy did not give the signal that they were ready for the final blow. Many thought, “What are they waiting for?”
Mort and Vance appeared above the water and surprised two remnants watching the skies. They cut them down but felt a shock and jumped when the creatures crumpled into the water. “What was that?” Mort asked completely caught by surprise. Vance shrugged and nodded that he didn’t know.
The brothers continued to strike the remnants down with their unique and glowing weapons. Mort was clawed in the face and nearly lost an eye. The wound was deep and would surely leave a scar for all to see. Vance was beaten by several remnants teaming up against him, but fellow human warriors and a group of nes kaliba had come to his rescue. They decided to fight closer to one another as the demons methodically started attacking in larger groups.
Buun raised his head high and charged a tall remnant that had been fighting him for several minutes. The seconds ticked by like eternity. Buun became breathless with all the advances but kept his guard up against the creature. Their weapons clanked loudly as they struck each other and their shields. The fight around them seemed to blur. They were so focused on taking each other down they did not notice the humans failing to hold back the horde. Buun jumped out of the water and with all his might, swung his sword at the tall remnant holding up its shield. The shield was knocked out of its claws and Buun used the opportunity to strike again with every bit of strength he could muster. Sparks flew from the remnant’s body as it fell.
Ben was not too far from Buun when he struck a tall remnant down and he felt the shock in the water when the demon fell. Surprised by the jolt, he lost his focus for a half a second, just long enough for a giant, muscular betnoir to sneak up behind him and place him in a choke hold. The betnoir grabbed a hold of him tightly and started to drag him from the other humans. Buun tried trotting through the water to help him but could not keep up with the betnoirs’ amazing speed. The nes kaliba were preoccupied and unable to help. A group of demons blocked the path between their enemy and the giant betnoir holding Ben. The giant squeezed till Ben stopped breathing, and then threw him down in the water, lifeless. Buun gasped and dove into the shallow water to swim at the demons. His adrenaline and rage took full control of his instincts. He struck every demon down that took part in Ben’s demise in a merciless manner and used every skill he knew to get to Ben’s side quickly. After he reached Ben, he tried performing life-saving skills he had learned in training and through experience. Yet, Ben remained limp.
Gathar’s army fell while his talisman released a blinding bright white light. The fallen dragons, warriors, and spellcasters began to twitch. Gathar’s light pulsed and their bodies rose and slowly rotated until they were on their feet. Their eyes opened and shone green briefly before returning to their natural color. Gathar tried to shield his eyes and cover the talisman, but the light passed through his fingers to keep him from seeing what was happening before him. He heard a cheer erupt accompanied by loud roars from the dragons. The light gradually dimmed and he saw his fallen comrades on their feet. His heart leapt into his throat as he choked on intense emotions. A battle he thought was lost had turned.
Gathar yelled, “Onward!” and raised his glowing yellow sword, as high as he could reach. A bolt of lightning shot down from the skies above and set his blade afire. An overwhelming amount of courage filled his soul and he could think of nothing but victory.
The warriors charged the demons with their new-found rejuvenation. Battle axes flew through the air and whistled before colliding with demon shields and claws. The alamours glowing from within were caught by surprise and cut down before they could do major damage. Swords shimmered from the sun peeking through openings in the few thick clouds above. Dragons took to the skies to rejoin the battle against the many flying spiders and pixies. A strange yellow glow illuminated around their tough hides giving them the strength of impenetrable skin. The pixies tried casting small fireballs and stunning spells at the dragons, but they proved to be ineffective. The flying spiders gathered in groups and attacked single dragons trying to pierce through the magical barrier until their fangs broke when they bit down.
A high-pitched sound erupted from the horde of spiders as they attempted a new strategy of attack. As many as possible grabbed onto each dragon trying to pull them down and ground them. Their new technique only infuriated the dragons to spin wildly and thrash at the arachnids. Spider wings were torn from their bodies and cast aside leaving a helpless victim to plummet onto the solid ground below. The deafening shrieks of the spiders gradually quieted till only the pixies, dragons, and Emalf could be heard fighting high in the sky. The ripping sound of flesh being torn was the last thing the spiders heard as the dragons tore them apart. Green ooze fizzled down on the unexpecting victims below. The spiders’ blood burned their skin and parts of their armor; they were still dangerous even after death.
The humans ran for cover as the guts and bodies of the spiders started collapsing and exploding in the streets. Demons laughed at the humans, but were also burned by the raining blood. However, they seemed not to be deterred by it. Their bloodlust had taken full control of their instincts and they didn’t care about their own safety or survival. Betnoirs chased spellcasters when the warriors inadvertently left a path open for an attack. Green auras disappeared when certain spellcasters were clawed to death by black demons. The red demons, the remnants, stood back and seemed to be waiting for a command. Their flesh melted away and revealed parts of a metal skeleton.
The great shift in the battle had left Pepper in a position of not knowing what order to give the remnants next. He had to decide on the benefits of risking the remaining remnants for this fight or have them flee to preserve their parts for another time. He chose to preserve
his creations and ordered them to flee the battlegrounds at the ruins of Centuria. They moved with inexplicable speed and even the dragons had difficulty in stopping them all from escaping. Pepper had found his way to the catacombs and disappeared into the dark, winding tunnels.
Usha, spirit of the wind, angered by Emalf’s wrath, decided to intervene in the affairs of the humans. Lord Emalf was stricken with the same curse that kept Reznek from being able to fly. The air swirled around Emalf and forced him down to the ground. The silver dragons took the opportunity and circled around Emalf. Reznek, hiding up in a storm cloud, gathered enough electrical power to strike the demon lord. Reznek knew that the attack had to be near to perfect in order to be effective. Watching and waiting, Reznek continued to summon as much power as he could muster. The silver dragons positioned themselves closer and closer to Emalf. He roared, “Death to you all!” Emalf struck at the dragons with his fiery arms, but they were too quick. They parried his attacks with incredible speed.
Emalf trotted through the shallow water as if it were air. The nes kaliba began an assault against him with their magic and coral weapons. The attacks had little effect on him. He had grown too powerful for the typical warrior, and no human, dwarf, or nes kaliba, could harm him. Some of the spells had an effect on him, but they only lasted a brief moment.
Through his observation, Ptolemy knew it was getting near the time to make the final strike or watch Emalf destroy everyone in his path. He made a loud bird call and looked to the skies. The dragons continued to attack Emalf, pixies, and the remaining betnoirs, alamours, and spiders, but Ptolemy wasn’t watching them. He was looking into the sky for the Éan. The great bird appeared and Ptolemy felt his heart leap. The bird had been injured and was taken by the wizards of the Council to heal its wounds. Gathar had told him the story about when the bird was found on Geoffrey’s farm in Chugean and how Angela wanted it back when it was better.
Ptolemy made a bird call as loud as he could and the Éan turned its head toward him and flew down to his side. Ptolemy threw his saddle over the Éan and it transformed to adapt to the shape of the bird. Ptolemy was not surprised by the transformation. He read that it would happen in the Book of Stars, but he had his doubts. Ptolemy had the Book of Stars and the crystal from the catacombs. He learned that the only artifacts he needed to defeat Lord Emalf were the crystal, the book, and the dagger, and he knew the strike against Emalf would prove ineffective if he didn’t get close enough and cast the incantation.
Agar was making his way toward Emalf despite his lack of skill in swimming. He trudged through the feet of water that went up to his shoulders because his dragon helper had to set him down to fight off demons and left him to his own devices to continue onward. Agar kept checking his belt to make sure the dagger stayed on his person. He was the best skinner of all of the dwarven land and Sarella volunteered him to be the one to strike Emalf with the dagger. He felt complimented by her recommendation but was also angered that the responsibility was placed on him, even more-so while wading in feet of water.
Simultaneously, Agar and Ptolemy reached Lord Emalf. Ptolemy jumped from the Éan right behind the demon. He pulled out the crystal and the Book of Stars and held them up high as he read the spell aloud. Agar attacked Lord Emalf with the dagger but was only able to leave slight cuts in his shins. The spell didn’t work. The wounds caused by the dagger were supposed to have a larger effect and bring the demon down. Emalf became annoyed and kicked at Agar, but he dove out of the way and dove underwater.
Agar lurched above the surface of the water gasping for air. He hated swimming and being surrounded by water. Even sailing never took to his fancy. The dagger strikes had little effect on the demon lord and he knew something was wrong. Ptolemy’s spell did not work.
The Éan returned a few moments later carrying a woman holding orange crystals in her hand. Ptolemy recognized his mother atop the bird and wanted to strike her down but thought again when he saw the orange glowing rocks in her hand. The crystal he needed was not the one the Book of Stars had referred to. It had to be the ones she carried, he thought. Angela guided the Éan toward Emalf and she dove into the shallow water next to Ptolemy. Their eyes locked and they each felt great hatred for one another, but Angela was able to control the rage that Lord Emalf had cursed her with. She handed the orange crystals over to Ptolemy and told him to try the incantation again. He snatched them out of her hand and gave her a devilish look of disgust. He instantly felt weaker when he grabbed the crystals but also felt a sense of purity. An image of Sherson flooded his thoughts and he remembered the curse or blessing that had been bestowed upon him could only be ridden of by passing it to another. His anger disappeared and he started feeling like he did before becoming a demon, young and innocent. He quickly opened the Book of Stars back up, pages soaked, and read the incantation again. Agar took notice and made his way back over to Emalf while the demon lord was distracted by the dragons flying above him. He took the dagger and struck Emalf’s legs once again. Beams of dark light shot out from each cut. The dragons knew what to do next.
Reznek guided his fellow blue dragons to make a circle close to each other and the silver dragons to do the same below them. Loud cracks of thunder and fizzling came from the blues. They were charging up for the final blow to Lord Emalf. The silvers got into place to redirect their attack to their one target. Reznek gave the command to strike. The skies exploded with a thunderous boom. Streaks of lightning passed from the blue dragons, reflected off the silvers and struck Emalf right in the chest. The strike was so powerful he didn’t even have the ability to scream before collapsing into the water surrounding him. There was a huge splash and the nes kaliba nearby were forced to swim away and Agar went underwater again. He resurfaced mad as a wet lion and swore every word he knew in his gruff, dwarfish tongue.
The warriors cheered when they saw Emalf fall. The flying spiders became erratic in nature and started moving about chaotically. Archers, catapults, and spellcasters finished them off. The betnoirs stopped fighting and started to transform back to their original form if they were not originally demons. Some remained in their demon form and continued fighting but had been weakened by Emalf’s collapse. They were quickly cut down. The alamours fell in the depths of the water and exploded, splashing everyone around them with hot water. The few remnants that remained at this point in battle were unaffected by Emalf’s fate. They fought to the very end. Agar let out a bellowing war cry and the army of dwarves and many others cheered. They were victorious.
Katimi appeared over the horizon carrying Nydraia in his arms. He was in human form and tears rolled down his cheeks. When he saw the people watching him he did not stop. He continued past them to get Nydraia to the nes kaliba that swam in the shallow waters with their heads peering over the surface heading toward him. Katimi walked down a slight hill and started treading through the water being careful with how he carried her.
Gathar saw his king from across the battlefield and wanted to call out his name but refrained when he saw who he was carrying. Nydraia was the last of her kind. She couldn’t be dead. No, it can’t be, he thought. She had given up so much already and now it was her life.
Others stared in silence as well. Even the warriors and dragons stopped to watch quietly. A nes kaliba covered in tribal tattoos approached Katimi and stood high in the shallows. He gave a slight nod and took Nydraia from Katimi’s arms. Katimi respectfully bowed to the nes kaliba while Nydraia was raised high. Her people let out a mournful cry that shook the lands and the bones of all who could hear. Nydraia was carried into the waters to where the humans could no longer see them for the nes kaliba had a ritual to perform for their dead.
Katimi returned to the portion of land that was not underwater. Warriors surrounded him and bowed. General Gathar broke the ranks and walked up to Katimi, “Your Majesty!” Unsure of how to react to seeing his king after being missing for months, Gathar resisted the urge to hug him.
Katimi stared at Gathar and wonder
ed if he knew of his misdeeds. “We have much to discuss General Gathar.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The king of Centuria held out his hand. Gathar looked at it for a moment. It was not the same hand he had remembered. The fingers were gnarled, scratched, and scarred like that of an old carpenter. He grabbed the king’s hand and they shook. “It is good to see you again ol’ friend!” King Katimi forced a smile and laughed as he spoke.
General Gathar said, “You too,” raised his sword high and yelled, “OUR KING HAS RETURNED!” Cheers from all around rose. Gathar felt a sharp pain in his chest. He closed his mouth and ground his teeth. He did not want to ruin the moment with his personal agony and waited it out. The pain eventually subsided when the cheers quieted.
Ptolemy had taken notice to his father’s painful expression and got to him as soon as he could. “Father, are you okay?” he said in a low whisper. Gathar nodded to his son. Ptolemy took the answer as a statement of: I do not want to discuss it now.
The nes kaliba called upon the gods and asked the dragons to take them back to the skies. The water started rising from the ground in beads and some soaked into the ground. Clouds quickly formed and the dragons carried the nes kaliba into them. Winds picked up and pushed the clouds to the east. Where Emalf had fallen lay a man with a strong jaw and long locks. He was unconscious and wore only tattered clothes. Sarella gasped when she saw the man lying there. She remembered him from the saloon and felt nauseous.
Warriors and spellcasters quickly surrounded him as the waters dissipated. A spell of blue chains wrapped the man into a cage. The spellcasters threw everything they could at him to keep him from causing anymore havoc. Sarella walked up to the man and stared down at him through tearful eyes. She wanted to burn the man alive but overcame her rage with the thought that justice will be served. She had difficulty imagining that the man before her was the demon lord that had caused so much destruction.
Rise of Centuria Page 20