by Sean J Leith
The breath of flame flowed over her like a raging river but split in half where she stood.
The violet-robed man appeared before Kayden, splitting the flame breath around them with his bare hands. The beast stepped back in shock, and without pause, Vesper swished his hands back and pushed forward, unleashing a fury of lightning, encapsulating Valikar in a violent electrical storm that nearly blinded all around them. The beast writhed in pain, slowly moving toward the slender man. Vesper threw one hand forward with a mighty gust of wind and pushed the beast back against a building with a crash, caving it in.
“Vesper, what the hell?” Kayden yelled.
Vesper raised his hands to the air, forming a transparent, blue-tinted ice-like shell around him and the demon, separating them from everyone else. Valikar exploded off the building, rushing at the wizard once more. Vesper spread his fingers wide, cutting them around like knives, slicing off the limbs of the beast like a sword through butter with an invisible blade.
The beast laughed. “Your magic means nothing to gods.” The beast grew alight with violet and regenerated his limbs within moments.
“Demon, you know nothing of this land! You shall feel the power of The Great Vesper!” Vesper yelled in a gruff voice. In an instant, he teleported from place to place within the transparent shell, delivering bolts of lightning and storms of ice spears to the beast’s leathery body. With every spell cast, Vesper grew more tired, and the beast healed himself, over and over again.
Zaedor stood back, gripping his chest. The blood soaked through his clothes, and he felt weak. Lira was in tears beside him, huddled into a ball, her own robe becoming laced with blood. Zaedor knelt down quickly, attempting to at least staunch her bleeding.
“Vesper! God damn it, stop this! Let us help, you moron! You’re going to get yourself killed!” Kayden screamed, bashing on the transparent shell. She slammed away at it with hand and blade, unable to penetrate it. The beast hammered at it as well but was also unable to break the wizard’s mighty shield.
Vesper appeared before Kayden, facing the demon. He held one hand out to his right and formed a mysterious red orb above his open palm. Small, sun-like spheres shot out from each of his fingers to orbit around the larger red one.
“I’m sorry, my dear, but I won’t let him hurt anyone!” Vesper said. His beard was accented by lines of dark crimson—blood, hemorrhaging from his nose. With his other hand, he maintained his powerful cuts, lances of ice, and flurries of lightning. Sweat poured down his forehead like a river, and his breath escaped him. The red orb gathered more mass in its orbit. It was eerily beautiful, almost mesmerizing. Vesper dropped to one knee, but orb after orb emerged from his hand, adding more to the orbit.
He panted and wheezed but remained adamant.
What is that spell? Zaedor thought, entranced.
Magnus was back on his feet. His eyes were wide, seeing the orb in Vesper’s right hand. “You do not have to do this! We must find another way!” he yelled.
“It is my only option! Our only option!” Vesper called to him. His gaze turned to Kayden with tears flowing from his eyes. “I may have failed my family, but I won’t fail you!”
Vesper turned back to Valikar, who was regenerating once more. Vesper reflected his flame breath with his left hand. The red orb still gained size and spheres in its orbit in his right.
“Vesper, you idiot! No, I can’t lose you. It’s not fair—it’s not fair! You can’t do this!” Kayden bashed the shell again and again, helpless. She bawled uncontrollably while bashing her arms against the invulnerable shield Vesper created.
The shell’s light began to flicker; Vesper’s power was fading. The beast sauntered toward him. The lightning in Vesper’s left hand quickly weakened and faded to nothing.
“Now, your soul shall be mine.” Valikar chuckled mockingly.
“Take care of her for me!” Vesper yelled. His front became drenched with blood pouring from his nose like a fountain. “I’m sorry, my dear, but it must be done. I will be with my family now!” Vesper said, staring the demon down. “Your will is strong!”
With regaining its strength, the beast charged at Vesper with the power of a thousand bulls.
He brought his right hand to his center, using his other hand to stabilize it. He spoke a few short words in a language Zaedor did not understand then opened his hands wide. Each yellow, orbiting sphere stopped dead around the large red sun.
Vesper opened his eyes and yelled, “Annihilus!”
The smaller spheres shot at once into the orb. Following a deafening screech, a bloom of blinding fire shattered his body as a devastating explosion of red and blue flame filled the shell, smashed it into a thousand ethereal shards, and blew everyone back and to the ground with a powerful shockwave.
Valikar writhed on the ground, body half-melted and massive breaths hoarse and foul. “A spell of—fire cannot—kill one borne of—it,” the beast stuttered. It roared to the night sky, readying to heal itself once more. Crippled and broken, the beast rose to it’s feet. I may be—weakened, but you have nothing left to—stop me.”
Lira struggled to her feet and spread her hands wide with eyes bright like the sun. She spoke in an angelic, echoing voice in a language he couldn’t understand, finishing with a final word yelled at the top of her lungs: “Bashira!”
Massive golden chains sprouted from her hands as a violet portal appeared behind the beast. With one end in the violet, the chains wrapped around the beasts arms, legs, and neck before it could escape, and dragged it backward.
Valikar struggled against the chains and charged forward with all its might toward Lira. It thrust a claw forward within a moment of her. Lira swished her hand and pulled backward; the golden chains threw the beast back to the ground and dragged it toward the portal.
It scraped the ground with its mighty claws, screaming like a rabid beast. Zaedor heard the Valikar’s voice call out as the violet portal sucked him in, body half incinerated by the blast of flame. “Fate will come for you. We will come when the vile star falls.”
As the golden chains pulled the monster through, they left to swirl around the violet orb above, pulling it toward the portal it opened. As the orb slammed into the ground, the earth below shook as the million souls burst from the portal, screeching so loud Zaedor was forced to cover his ears. They formed into the violet orb once more and shot toward Lira in a split second with her chains, bashing into her chest. With a scream, she flew against the stone wall behind her, barely conscious as the violet energy surged across her skin before vanishing.
The beast was gone. His enemy, vanquished.
As silence took the town centre, the portal vanished leaving nothing more than a small pile of ashes, and a set of charred black bones with a skull on the ground.
Chapter Forty
A King’s Proposal
Saul Bromaggus
King Kashral led Saul into the grand stone keep within the inner walls of Serpentarius. Saul walked beside him, standing a couple inches above, although the King was hunched over from old age. The walls were barren, glowing with the subtle green tint of venomstone. The ceilings were rounded, absent of cracks or frays as if a battle never took place within the city walls.
Saul slowed his walk to keep pace. He could feel Thalia’s presence behind them, despite her silent steps. It was pitch black, but Saul could somewhat see the outlines of arched doors with no color to them. Paintings and statues were placed along the walls, but he could barely make them out. Hydris could see well in the dark, while Broken had limited sight. At least they weren’t entirely as blind as Humans were. He hoped not to walk into any walls or statues.
“Oh my, how could I forget,” the King said hoarsely. With a weak snap of his fingers, a small ember appeared in his open hand.
The warm light filled the hall; Saul could see murals and statues of Hydris in full armor, robes with tomes, blades, and staves. “Sometimes in my old age I forget your people don’t see in the dark as easily.”
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He was old. Saul thought maybe seventy, or even older. The most peculiar aspect was Thalia was not even twenty. He was undoubtedly her father; he could see his eyes in her, and her authoritative presence.
Saul couldn’t wait any longer. “I must ask—”
“Not until I sit. Have patience,” Kovos interrupted, slowly swaying his hand in a circle.
Saul felt a slap on his shoulder. He glanced back with a frown, only to see Thalia shake her head. They passed many rooms of statues of Hydris, young and old, some warriors and scholars, some kings and queens. Libraries were filled with books large and small, with intricate cashmere rugs and pelts of wild beasts.
They ascended a high staircase with steep steps. Thalia took her father’s arm, slowly coming up to a large room with many books, as well as a set of six oak chairs and blackwood tables shone to perfection.
“Ah, here we are, my solace,” Kovos said. He lumbered to a large silk and wool felt chair with a golden lining along the wood. Carefully lowering himself to onto the cushion, he shot the flame in his hand to the fireplace to produce a calming warmth. “Now, boy, what can a King do for you? I believe you may have many questions.”
Thalia plopped into the seat beside the King with a leisurely cross to her legs. She sank into a lazy slouch before smoothing out her fiery orange silk robe reflecting the fire’s light.
Saul chose the chair across from them and sat carefully on the soft cushion. This is eerily soft. I miss my bed back in the barracks, but I am a long way from home. “I do. I demand an explanation for what happened out there. My people are dead, and now we are but eight.” Seven and a half, really. He looked to his stump of an arm with contempt, hardly able to secure a shield with it. If he donned one, there was no taking it off. Broken prided themselves on their versatility, and Saul had next to none now.
“Mine have died in much higher numbers, from my own sons. They were stupid to leave and challenge me. They betrayed their own father. It seems I have raised monsters, boy.” Kovos sighed. “One son went missing ten years ago, and my daughter is the only one to not run or reject the laws of our people. Yet she is the only one who cannot claim the crown alone.”
Thalia screwed her face into a frown. “Father, it’s a ridiculous law. The people view me fine, it’s you who put that restriction on the bloodline.”
“You’re a woman. Women cannot rule alone. You were not alone in Shi’doba, and I put you there to protect you. Your mother accepts the laws and respects my will, as should you.”
Thalia grumbled openly. “I ruled there. Those other idiots did nothing. I kept them alive while Zitark ravaged the western plateau. Or did you not notice that, sitting in the city? Clearly you had no idea Ithaca was here. If Saul hadn’t come, you’d be dead, and he’d be going south to the Spire, although he’d probably die there regardless.”
“You dare you lecture me as I lose a son? What kind of child are you? You boast of your strength, and yet you weren’t here. You boast and boast, yet what have you done?” The King’s tone grew rough.
Thalia’s face crumpled into a frown. “I cared about him, too, but he was rotten to the core. I have done much in my life.”
“You have done nothing, girl. Don’t act an artisan when you are but an apprentice.”
Thalia huffed and crossed her arms. “Don’t insult me.”
The King ignored her. “Now, where was I? Ah, yes, the war. You come from the Vale, no? I have been considering unifying forces with the Vale. The Dragon seems willing to comply. His initial messages sent speak of a united fleet sailing to the shores of the Dragon’s Archipelago. Have you come with a message from him? Curious that he would send a personal messenger this far.”
Saul gritted his teeth and his heart sped up. Obelreyon. “He wouldn’t ally with anyone. He follows a false god, goes against our ways, and sets fear into everyone who follows. It is clearly a trap.”
“I see. Then what would you have me do? Destroy him? Stay isolated? The people are restless, and the Blazik Lords of Feyamin are stirring. Caught between Broken and Blaziks is an awful situation, and I’m convinced the damned Blaziks would never ally with us. They want this land, and always have. What would you do about the Dragon, boy? Would you lead my people against your own? Is that what you want?” Kovos chuckled. “Don’t answer that, I’d rather not know. I suppose I should thank you for what happened. It was quite the spectacle. Unfortunate that you lost a hand. I hear Broken don’t like that sort of thing. Nothing we can do about that, though. Your people are gone, too, but look at the result.”
Saul raised an eyebrow. “What result?”
The King coughed up a chuckle. “People are talking. Did you not see the faces of the ones in the courtyard? The Soldier of Storms is a Broken. The legend has been whispered for centuries, ever since we were all banished here. Lo and behold, it’s you. You found your own way here, somehow. It’s a serendipitous and humorous truth.”
“I gave him the path here,” Thalia cut in.
“Don’t take credit, girl. Now, where was I? Ah, the Soldier of Storms. Do you like your title?” Kovos chuckled, not waiting for his response. “I hardly believe in it. My daughter here believes in it wholeheartedly. No clue why, heh. I saw it myself—you walked away without being hurt by the bastard, that I’m sure of, aside from your arm.” Kovos picked at his sharp nails and sported a sly smile. “What is it you wanted, boy? The people outside whisper your title, yet you don’t seem to care.” The flame flickered in the back of the room, barely illuminating the azure snake eyes of the two before Saul.
“Ithaca spoke of ‘the blade that carves the skies’ being atop the Spire. Is it true?” Saul asked.
Kovos laughed, which led into a guttural cough. “Gadora’s Edge. A fool’s errand. No one’s touched the blade since her ascension. I don’t serve her. I serve Kannakash, hence the flame. He’s more powerful and more influential, hardly what a woman could do. Goddess or not, I barely pay her mind.”
“Don’t insult the power of my goddess. Mortal women are not weak, either. Many of the Broken generals are women.” Saul thought of Mirakia Othellun, the one who helped him escape to exile and the fiercest warrior in the Broken armies. He’d hated it then, but now knew it was the only option. Kovos was so against the abilities of women that it irritated Saul. Broken gave value to those who were strong. Some, especially Mirakia Othellun, were deadly on the battlefield. I’ve seen her carve ten Broken, alone.
“Heh, don’t make me laugh. I may have wanted to align with them, but that doesn’t mean I’ll accept every belief they have. Listen, boy, you have to understand that women aren’t as strong as men. They’re smaller. Quick, maybe, but one lick of a blade and they’re done. I’ve seen it. I fought a war against the Blazik Lords of Feyamin with women on my side, and they were crushed under the blades of men. We hardly survived back then, and next time they come, and they will come, things must be different.”
Thalia tapped her foot quietly, rubbing the side of her neck. “Father, we aren’t weak. How can you be so thick?”
“Silence, girl. I put you in Shi’doba to protect you—don’t forget that. Now you come back into war, thinking you can make a difference? Don’t be a fool. Why don’t you find a man to marry and give me a viable heir? The others are disgraces, and, while a disappointment, you are the only one not a traitor.”
Saul clenched his fists. “You shouldn’t speak to your children that way,” he growled. His father was rough on him as well. At least he gave Saul a chance to prove himself.
The air grew tense as the King’s cold eyes turned towards Saul. After a moment, his cold, dead expression broke to speak words bold as stone. “I will speak to my child the way I please.” Relaxing his shoulders, the King continued. “We are in the midst of a civil war, and who will lead us? You? Heh, maybe that’s what you’re here for. Everyone followed Ithaca around when he claimed a birthright to the title of ‘Soldier of Storms.’ Maybe they’ll follow you around like a bunch of helpless catt
le, as well. Although, you could hardly keep command of a small troop of Broken yourself, and now look at them.” Kovos coughed and coughed, cleared his throat carefully, and narrowed his eyes at Saul. “I’m no fool. I know what you want. You want the Stormspire, don’t you, boy?”
The Stormspire. Does the blade await me there? He put his fist to his chin, thinking. “I wish to go there. I will climb the Spire.”
“Heh, I’d like to see you try, but I’m too old. Although, I won’t die anytime soon. Every man who’s climbed it was cooked like a meal in the process. Some even made it to the top, struck or no, but were fried by a touch of the hilt of the damn thing. Is that what you want, boy? Do you want to be cooked alive by the storm that gathers there? My son’s power was one thing, but—oh, the blade is something else.”
“I am not afraid.” Saul felt he needed to go, but was worried about the story the King told. He caught a change in Thalia’s expression, irritation toward the one beside her, to concern for the one across.
Kovos chuckled again. “I like your attitude, boy, but it’s stupid and immature like hers.” He motioned to Thalia, who scowled. He coughed and hacked before continuing. “I’m old, but I know smart politics. The people love royalty and they love stories.” His eyes glanced from Saul to Thalia, who’s now widened at his glance. “Normally suitors are much older, if anything never younger than a princess, but I know good politics. If I let you climb the Spire and you take up the blade, you shall marry my daughter.”
Saul coughed after hearing those words. “Excuse me?” they both spat out. Age mattered not. It was her boldness.
Saul had not thought of such things. A couple of women attempted to woo at him in the Vale, valuing strength over all. They were weak—rough-hewn, Broken—but personalities that showed frailty. He found no interest in any fool of a woman. There were some he saw, but when they bent to his will, he lost every shade of interest. Thalia is strong of mind, however. With every statement he made, he felt Thalia analyze each with a critical eye. She corrected him when he was incorrect, she spoke out when she felt wronged, and she led with such command.
