by Tom Rogal
Sahara handed Levus an item wrapped up in a burlap cloth. As he grabbed it, he was surprised by the weight.
Sahara explained, “This is a gift for saving our lives. Only open it when you feel you will need it. It was given to my grandfather, who gave it to me, and now I give it to you. Travel safe and remember, only open that cloth when times seem so dire that you feel you have lost everything. Not sooner. It will help.”
He couldn’t even tell what the object was based off the shape it had under the cloth. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to offend her family by disrespecting something so obviously important.
Levus bowed. “Thank you. We will keep it safe and use it only if it’s needed. We must get going. With any luck, we’ll make it to Porsita well before dark.
The villagers waved as Levus and Divi turned south. Divi was going to miss them. Other than her current companion, these people were the first to treat her normally, not judging her because of what she could and couldn’t do. Then again, she did notice that for the second time, Levus had refuse to tell anyone where she came from. She began to wonder why that was.
Divi finally commented, “They were nice. A little strange, but nice.”
“Everyone has their little quirks about them. It’s what make us interesting. We are who we are.”
Divi almost froze when he said those words. Had Elissa told him about their conversation? She was terrified that she could have. Then again, she was probably just being paranoid. She had gone through so much in the past few days. Yeah, that’s it. Nothing more.
The two walked farther into the Woods out of view of the villagers. Elissa stood next to her mother, who never took her eyes off the path they took. Sure, they were considered vagabonds because they were nomadic, but they had another past, one that not even anyone on Dyyros knew. They liked this placed because unlike their homeland, this continent was excellent at hiding secrets.
Elissa asked, “What are you thinking of, Mom?”
Sahara carefully answered, “Those two will face much peril. I have felt it in their auras.”
“Is that why you gave them The Stone?”
“No, that is because I feel they are destined for something greater. My grandfather told me that one day I would meet a couple deserving it. I wasn’t sure about them until they stayed here. It is beginning, sweet child. Although we are powerless against what they will face, they will not be.”
CHAPTER 4
Porsita, City of Ruin
Levus and Divi walked slowly through the devastated Porsita. Levus was in utter disbelief. The once flourishing port was now a city fit for the dead. The sight was so bad that Levus dropped to his knees, barely feeling the pain as they scraped against the cobbles. Divi felt terrible, but didn’t know what she could do.
All the buildings showed scorch marks, and from some smoke billowed out of the windows and holes in the walls. Blood dried on many stones. Just about all the lamps that provided the streets with light at night were destroyed, broken glass and spilled oil everywhere. Levus was sick to his stomach.
“What happened here?”
Divi stopped farther up the street. The wind whipped her hair around her face. The departing sun could not even be seen behind the dark incoming clouds. The soldiers obviously had done more to this poor town since she departed. Even though the fire was large, most of it was from torches thrown inside the buildings, something she remembered seeing during her escape. The buildings seemed to have some type of liquid by the scorch marks, large blotches like it tossed from a bucket. Were they trying to burn everything both inside and out? Broken furniture lay in waste in front of many houses. They had to have been searching for something . . . but what?
Divi answered “Kile attacked the village when we arrived. The people were screaming. They were helpless. That man slaughtered them as if they were weak cattle. He slaughtered my father.”
Levus stood up, still in awe of the destruction that had taken the city. The blacksmith shop was now a molten scrap of clay and mud. The vegetable trader’s stand lay as only pieces of firewood. The general goods store where Frey wanted Levus to acquire new wooden forks had its inventory scattered across the street like junk. Almost everything he had ever known in the grand city was decimated. Levus staggered to Divi, who stood motionless in the strong wind.
Levus asked, “What of the people? Were they all annihilated?”
“I doubt it. They probably hid,” answered Divi.
“You’re right about that, more or less.”
Divi and Levus turned around at the sound of the strange, yet familiar voice. Levus felt a great rage develop in his stomach. There, none other than Kile sat on a dragon-beast, surrounded by a small group of men on horses. A cocky smile spread across his face.
The dauntless look on Kile’s face made Levus even more irritated with him than before, as if the destruction of the town all around him wasn’t enough. The wind grew heavier as Ulcinar’s henchman climbed off his beast, and the cobble street shook when Kile’s feet touched it.
He continued, “The people are afraid. They have good reason to be.”
Levus stepped in front of Divi.
“If you came for her, my answer is the same as before.”
Kile’s ominous laugh echoed in the almost empty city. It taunted Levus until he almost unsheathed his sword.
Stopping about twenty feet from the boy’s position, Kile finally replied, “The girl matters not to me. She is of no great use to us anymore. You’re the reason I’m here.”
Confused, Levus eased his grip on his sword and left it by his side. The cool breeze that made it through the broken buildings was getting stronger.
“What do you mean?” asked Levus.
Kile softly replied, “Look at my eyes. What do you see?”
Levus followed “the madman of Dynis’” suggestion, a nickname given to him for his ruthlessness in taking that town over. What he saw had him wishing he hadn’t.
“Your eyes . . . they’re the same as mine!”
“Only on opposite sides,” corrected Kile. “Your green eye is on the right and mine is on the left. I didn’t realize this until on the way back here.”
Did this mean? Were he and Kile connected in some way? No, it could not be. There was no way that he could be connected to that monster.
Kile continued, “I don’t know what this means, but if we join forces, I’ll take you to Ulcinar and we will learn of this mystery together.”
“If I refuse?”
The smile grew on Kile’s face as he moved forward. As he got closer, a burning sensation filled Levus’ chest. He tried not to react, but after a while, the torment was too much. Levus clasped his hands over his heart, falling to his knees. His breastplate made it very difficult to soothe the pain. He looked down to undo the mail when he stopped. The emblem on his breastplate was glowing! Was he seeing things? After a few seconds, the throbbing and the glowing stopped. He quickly stood up again.
Kile stared at him, triumphant. The boy truly had no idea what great power he held. As much as Kile wanted him to join them, if he was too weak or stupid to control what he even had, then killing him would just be an easier solution.
“Then your fate is death by my hand,” Kile said. “You are too much of a threat.”
Levus’ mind was in complete turmoil. He did not want anything to do with this vile man. If he did go with him, he would get to meet the dictator that only a select few had seen. If he went with him, though, what would happen to Divi and everyone else he had met? Everyone in Arnis despised Ulcinar and Kile. More importantly, he did not want to lose Leeta. Although she was going to school in the capital, she hated Ulcinar just as much as anyone else.
Kile, looking very impatient, asked, “So, what is your answer?”
Levus, in all the time he was thinking, had not noticed Kile had come almost within arm’s length of his position. Levus decided to let his actions speak louder than his words. In a quick motion, he spat in Kile’s face, hittin
g him just above his left eye. Kile closed his eyes as he wiped the spittle off, flinging it to the ground. It didn’t take great observation skills to see he was angry.
“You have sealed your fate. Men! This is between him and me!”
Kile’s men who had been approaching with weapons drawn, dropped back to the side. Two of them led the dragon-beast toward the entrance of the city. Although they were reliable transportation, they could easily be frightened if attacked. Not many knew this as the creatures were intimidating enough by their size.
As he threw his cloak off, Kile said, “Our eyes are not the only things we have in common.”
Kile pulled out the Marasam. As he did, both the Marasam and the emblem began to glow a bright purple. The winds grew heavy. Levus analyzed the sword better this time than in the forest. The blade itself was a dark black just like his, but was much longer. The handle was small and round, but long enough for both hands to grasp it. The craftsmanship was phenomenal, a slight curve leading to its sharp point. Only one man ever made the tip of a sword that ended at such an angle. No, he couldn’t have made this madman’s blade as well! Levus did notice that Kile’s emblem was different than his breastplate: A dragon breathing fire and the fire surrounding the edge of the emblem.
Levus uttered, “Your sword . . . and emblem! Who made them?”
“Enough talk!”
Levus barely had time to draw his sword before Kile struck his first blow. Their blades clashed with a dull clang. The soldiers cheered loudly. Divi situated herself by a pillar of one of the abandoned shops. She felt a strong magical ability with Kile’s presence. Why had she not felt this the previous times they had met? It was something that she would have to think about later---if they survived this.
Levus and Kile continued to exchange blows. He was amazed at the quickness of Kile’s attack. The Marasam seemed to almost glide off his blade. Levus tried to gain an advantage, but his opponent was too fast. As he backed up a few feet, the wind suddenly changed and was rushing hard toward his side. It meant only one thing: He had to be close to the edge of a building.
Divi yelled, “Levus! Behind you!
Before he could see what it was, Kile knocked him into a water trough. In one quick motion, he thrust the Marasam at Levus, who rolled to the side and opened his right arm from his body, a trick he learned from his father. His dad didn’t get to teach him much, but he mentioned that this maneuver saved him in the past. Most swordsman aimed for the heart when going for the kill, but using the thrust at a downward angle slowed their approach and ability to adjust, meaning a simple roll and movement of the arms sufficed at surviving. He only hoped it wasn’t his dad telling him stories. As the Marasam pierced into the wood, there was no pain. He quickly looked to his right to see Kile’s blade barely missed his side . . . in line with his heart if he didn’t move.
He swiftly got out of the trough as Kile freed his blade. Levus brushed his hair out of his eyes as Kile began to attack again. He needed something to slow him down. Taking a soaked cloth in the trough, Levus grabbed it and threw it at Kile. The wet article of clothing slapped across the swordsman’s face, dazing him for a few seconds. He tossed it off, but it was enough for Levus to make an overhead strike. As he got close, Kile quickly kicked him away. He rolled and got up in ready position. Both men were breathing heavy.
Kile commented, “You are better than I thought. Don’t make me kill you. You want to know why your eyes are the way they are just as much as I do.”
“I’ll find out on my own accord,” replied Levus.
Levus continued exchanging blows with the more agile Kile. He was able to push Levus’ sword out of the way eventually and force an opening. Kile took advantage and jabbed forward. The blade caught the edge of the emblem on Levus’ breastplate, breaking it off. It struck the ground with a dull clang. Too close.
Divi opened her eyes, scared at what she would see. She drew a sigh of relief that it was only the emblem on the breastplate that fell off. The Dyyros soldiers cheered as Levus stood in shock of his close call. Kile looked at the ground at the detached emblem. A smile grew on his face, kicking it away.
“If I must take you one piece at a time, so be it.”
Levus yelled, “We’ll see about that!”
Levus tightened his grip on his sword. The same anger he felt before enveloped him. Levus’ arm began to vibrate. Divi knew what was going to happen. She was very surprised that Kile just stood there at ease. The sword and the crystal inside began to glow as he positioned himself for the slaughter. Suddenly, the glow died away. The hatred that filled his veins became unexpectedly mute. What was going on? Why couldn’t he execute his attack? Levus looked up to see Kile laughing.
“Fool! I can’t believe you never realized it. The emblem and the sword combine to give you the perfect amount of the metal. Without one or the other, you can’t perform your beloved Techniques. This time, it will cost you!”
Kile brought his sword toward his back. The earth around Kile began to shake. His armor and sword took on an eerie purple glow. Levus’ body suddenly froze. He had an idea what Kile was doing to him, but his legs refused to move.
Divi could feel his helplessness. She knew Levus was in trouble. Although she was against learning magic, there were times that she wished she had. There had to be something she could do! To her left were the Dyyros soldiers, mocking Levus and cheering on their leader. She could attack them with her limited powers, but that would do little good. Kile had no concern for his soldiers.
In front of them was Levus, as frozen as a statue. Further to her right stood Kile, who was now surrounded by a purple aura so powerful that the wind around him was visible. To his left, a small metallic object reflected the light of the violet wind. Levus’ emblem! Divi knew the only chance he would have is if he got it back. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the emblem. She could feel it through her powers, causing it to shake lightly.
Levus understood what was happening now. Kile could also perform one of these Techniques. He didn’t care that it was different than the one he just magically seemed to know once he acquired his father’s sword. If he didn’t figure something out fast, he was going to end up like that soldier did in the Woods allowing them to escape.
In her mind, Divi called to Levus, “Catch!”
She lifted the metal and sent it flying toward him. Levus reached as far as his stiff body would let him. He was too focused on the emblem to notice the long, purple light that grew at the tip of Kile’s sword. Almost there.
Kile pointed the Marasam at Levus. “X-Slice!”
Levus caught the emblem as Kile charged. With the metal in hand, his paralyzed legs once again found life. He jumped out of the way. The Dyyros soldiers’ cheers died quickly as they saw their commander’s Technique coming straight at them. Their legs, like Levus’, froze. There was no emblem to save them. All they could do was watch as their general swung his sword in the shape of an X through them.
Divi observed in horror the deadly force of Kile’s attack, but was curious as well. It seemed that both Levus and Kile, if they wanted to perform these special moves, had to say it. It was extremely similar to how a mage spell worked. Every spell had an incantation and that would determine what spell was cast. Did these sword powers work the same?
Levus watched as Kile completed his Technique. A large, purple light signified its devastating end. When the light’s haze vanished, there was nothing left of the troops.
Kile, whose attack left his right arm against his chest, eased his body expecting to see nothing but the boy’s sword. To his astonishment, Levus was still there. How was he still alive? And where were his men? After a few seconds, though, the answer to the latter question became clear to him. Levus reconnected the emblem to his breastplate. So, the boy did understand. Not only was it necessary to have that amount of the metal to use a Technique, but also to survive being a victim to it.
“Very good. I may have underestimated you.”
Levu
s returned the cocky smile Kile gave him prior and said, “And this time, it will cost you.”
He glared at Levus in confusion. It was then he felt the hard edge of an object hit his head. He dropped to the ground she he turned his head back. Divi telekinetically used charred bricks as a weapon, dropping it in front of Kile as blood trickled from the wound.
Divi yelled, “Finish him off and let’s get out of here!”
Levus nodded. He tried to imitate what Kile done. Somehow, he summoned his powers without resorting to anger. He reached his sword back and closed his eyes, trying to quiet his overactive mind. Before performing his attack, he felt a small spark in his head. That had to be it! Levus concentrated hard.
Divi watched with a little concern. Kile seemed to be recovering from her blow to his head and Levus had not even begun his Technique. Just as she thought this, an orange aura appeared around him. He did it! He tightened the grip on his sword and narrowed his vision to Kile.
Kile moved his hand from his head to see a little blood on it. He cursed and looked up. Levus completed the orange circle and drew his sword back. Kile now knew what it felt like to look at one of his Techniques, and he didn’t like it. Despite the grave situation, the swordsman seemed cool. Bowing his head, he began to chant a short verse in an unknown language. He was happy that Ulcinar had given him such wonderful technology for instances like this.
Levus yelled, “Circle of Fate!”
He rushed into the circle and charged Kile at an incredible speed. Kile had only one option.
As Levus closed in, Kile screamed, “Ulcinar!”
As soon as the words exited his lips, a white beam surrounded him. By the time Levus reached him, Kile had disappeared. The attack ended up hitting the side of a stable and into the walls of a fortified watchtower. He slashed at the brick until his Technique was finished. He lifted his head to see that it was not Kile he hit, but a building. He was amazed by the damage caused by the attack. He had to have gone at least three feet into the masonry. He could see now how nothing remained of the targets when the Technique hit flesh and blood. Levus looked down at his sword, which was steaming from the attack. Despite that, though, not one scratch existed on the onyx-colored blade.
