by Tom Rogal
Frey stepped in front of her son in an attempt to hide him, which was nearly impossible with her small stature. The Dyyros army stopped in the middle of the village.
Kile stepped off the dragon-beast and looked around at the townspeople. “Citizens of Arnis! We know you are hiding the boy named Levus and his mage accomplice!”
Leeta and Frey both gazed in Divi’s direction. She didn’t need to look. She could feel their eyes piercing through her. Their hatred she felt in her veins.
Cerrapies just said, “Damn.”
“We have gone through reliable sources and traced them here. If you do not turn them over to us, we will destroy your village in the name of Lord Ulcinar and take them our own way! Give them to us, and this village will be spared from Ulcinar’s wrath . . . and be greatly rewarded.”
Murmurs went around the village folk. Although Levus was a little offended, he could understand their position. Arnis was not wealthy by any means and if there was anyone who could make it rich, it was Ulcinar. He had not only the money, but the power. Though, there was always the possibility he was lying and would slaughter them anyway. That was more Kile’s style. He wasn’t going to let that happen.
Levus yelled, “You don't need to threaten anyone. I'm not hiding anymore.”
He pushed his mother away despite her refusal to let him go. Divi saw what he was doing. She had to go with him. After all she had gone through with him, she wasn’t going to desert him. Even though Divi knew what the reactions of Leeta and his mother would be, she had to see it to the end. She pushed past Leeta, who gave her an angry glare, and joined Levus.
Divi prepared her staff as she walked beside him. Even though everything about this inevitable fight seemed wrong and they were vastly outnumbered, she was ready to give whatever she had.
Kile smiled at his two fugitives squared off against him. Levus unsheathed the Moonsaber and aimed it at him.
He said, “I’m disappointed. I don’t want to fight you. You’re worth more alive to me than dead.”
Levus replied, “That’s just too bad then. I’m not going with you.”
“I won’t let you, either.”
Levus and Divi turned around to see Cerrapies standing right behind them.
Kile’s smile grew even larger seeing who was with them. It had been many years ago, but he was certain the old man would remember him.
“Well, Master Cerrapies. It is so good to see you again! I had a feeling when I heard you left Tartus in great haste that you were a part of this. Didn’t have enough of me and Master Ulcinar?” asked Kile.
Cerrapies laughed and replied, “You must be remembering some other battle! As I seem to recall, I handled you quickly in Tartus. You had to rely on Ulcinar to save your arse back then too.”
Kile unsheathed the Marasam and slammed the blade's edge against the road. That was a painful memory for him and his ego. He alone brought Dynis to his Master’s side against all the odds. He led the Tartus invasion to near-perfection. Then he lost to the same blacksmith who made him his sword. Not even the sword’s powers could break through Cerrapies’ massive weapons. He knew Cerrapies had to be resourceful to injure Ardeeza years before. He just underestimated him when he fought the man on his own.
Kile analyzed, “Three against two hundred? I hardly like your odds. Why put yourselves through the embarrassment? I’m sure your friends here would hate to see a slaughter. Besides, Master Ulcinar has taken notice of you and would like to meet you personally.”
Levus asked, “To kill me?”
“No, to join him.”
“I told you before, I’ll never join you or Ulcinar.”
“You have no idea of the power you contain. Join me and together we can bring peace to this land. Who knows, by joining forces we may decipher why we have our similar eye colors where no one else in this world has them. Power is a luxury few ever receive this day and age. I wouldn’t pass on this chance, boy.”
Levus remained silent. All the surroundings were mute. It was as if an aura encircled the town and blocked out all sound that tried to enter. It was eerier than when Divi returned to Porsita. At least there, the town was somewhat empty because people were looking for a way out. Here, the townspeople watched on like lifeless zombies. She could have rightly compared them to the dead trees of the Dyyros Woods by their stiffness and fear.
Kile, pointing the Marasam at Levus, said, “I see you're too stupid to realize what you are up against. So be it. It will make killing you more delightful.”
Leeta watched with concern. She had seen Kile in action several times while she was in the capital. His victims never left alive. She clutched Frey's hard wrist hard.
Kile went to his officer and ordered, “Block the exits to the village. No one is leaving here until I say so.”
The officer nodded and lead a brigade of men to the opposite end of the village. Another group went into the woods to block that route. There was no hiding for Levus or Divi this time. Kile was serious, and their only way to escape was to finish him off.
Cerrapies reached behind his back and drew his two large swords.
Kile yelled, “Subdue the old man and the young mage! Leave the boy to me.”
“Old man? I’ll show you who's old!” Cerrapies shouted back.
Kile’s men charged toward Cerrapies and Divi, who both stepped up to join Levus. He never took his eyes off Kile. He was not sure why Kile hesitated to attack him. All Ulcinar's henchman did was stare at him.
The silence ceased when the blacksmith and Divi clashed with the small group of Dyyrosian soldiers while the rest of the regiment cheered. The soldiers were so ignorant. Levus was sure Kile hadn't told them about the last group he led into Porsita and their fate. Perhaps it wouldn’t even matter, for they knew there was a fate worse than death if they opposed Kile or Ulcinar.
Leeta and Arden, who were watching just below the Sintar's door, yelled, “Levus! Look out!”
Despite all the cheering, Levus heard his girlfriend and friend loud and clear. Kile was only fifteen feet away from him. The Marasam and its over-five-foot blade shortened that gap. Levus brought his sword up in a defensive position as Kile raised the Marasam up. The echo of the two blades' clash overshadowed all the other noise surrounding Arnis. They began to exchange slashes, so furious that Leeta couldn’t watch.
Cerrapies and Divi were having more luck against Kile’s men than Levus was against their leader. The blacksmith’s Twin Venoms cut down his opponents without much effort. Their swords shattered from the impact of his better-quality weapons. Divi’s youth and quickness made it difficult for the soldiers to connect with their target. Even if they closed in on her, she simply used her telekinetic powers to push them away. Eventually, Divi and Cerrapies ended up back to back as a second wave of soldiers arrived.
Cerrapies asked, “You all right?”
“Yeah, you?”
“I’m getting too old for this.”
The next wave reached them and they continued their attack.
Levus and Kile were still at a standstill. Neither of the two could gain an advantage over the other. After missing a slash, Kile’s momentum brought him close to the ground. He quickly reached down and tossed a handful of sand into Levus’ face.
Levus dropped the Moonsaber, trying furiously to get the sharp, painful dust out of his eyes as Kile raised the Marasam for the kill. Levus leaned on the corner of a horse stable to keep himself upright.
Divi saw what was going on and reached out her hand. Using her telekinesis, she pulled the Marasam from his hands and threw it fifty feet away from him. Kile was baffled at what just happened, but went to retrieve his weapon. She had little time to celebrate as another soldier was right on her.
The residents of Arnis watched in amazement as the three fought so bravely against the odds. They found it hard to believe that just three people−including one of their own− were standing their ground against Kile and his forces. The war against the Northern Rebellion that gave Ulci
nar the north cost many lives, with Kile’s forces suffering minimal losses.
Kile finally reached his sword and looked toward Levus. His eyes still burned, but at least he could see now. Suddenly, a purple light formed at the base of the Marasam. Levus knew what this meant. He quickly moved out of the way, grabbing the Moonsaber as he rolled. Kile saw this, but performed his Technique anyway.
“Death Wave!”
The purple light traveled up the blade and flew toward where Levus had been standing. The light decimated the horse stable that was in its path, but nothing more. He didn’t understand. Why didn’t Kile try to hit him? He gave him more than enough time to react. He could even see Kile’s green eye following him as he got out of the way.
Levus sheathed the Moonsaber as he returned Kile's stare.
Kile yelled, “Fall back!”
His men quickly rejoined the troops guarding the escape routes. Levus ran over to Cerrapies and Divi, who were just as puzzled as he was.
She tried to reach into Kile’s mind to find out what was going on. He didn’t just walk away from a fight unless he knew victory would not be achieved. Besides a feeling of cockiness, she could see nothing else.
Cerrapies yelled confidently, “Had enough, eh?”
Kile continued to say nothing. That eerie silence that haunted the village before the fight returned. Something was up.
Suddenly, thunder crashed directly above them. Dark storm clouds were moving in at an incredible speed. Kile didn't even flinch at the heavy winds. The lightning became fierce when a bolt struck near the town gate opposite where Kile stood. The people jumped and tried to take cover. Levus, Divi, and Cerrapies all looked where the bolt hit. A large plume of smoke surrounded the site of impact.
A tall figure emerged from the smoke. His walk was slow, almost lethargic, yet his presence was so great that the watching people of the town went to their knees. There was no doubt who it could be. Leeta and Frey refused to bow and remained on their feet.
Cerrapies’ shoulders drooped as he said, “Bloody hell.”
From her hut on the eastern edge of the village, a dark-clothed woman emerged. She almost didn’t want to believe what her senses were telling her. Her thick, braided hair covered most of her youthful face as she looked toward the sky. She had felt this presence only twice before this. They were ages ago, but times she would never forget. His involvement and the consequences it brought were the major reason she was forced to leave her homeland in the first place. Even after all this time, Sylph still could not escape the evil. She knew, though, that he was not here for her. He had another purpose, one she hoped would not spell doom for this village that she now called home.
Harrin Ferrud, longtime friend of the Sintar family, stood in front of his children in the hopes of shielding them from the sight of this man. He and Jared had done their best to hide from this . . . creature, but no matter what they did, fate always brought him back into their lives. All he could muster from the shock was, “It’s him.”
Levus glanced over at Kile and his men. All of them genuflected as well.
He said, “I don’t know what’s going on, but we can take him, right?”
He got no reply from either of his fighting partners. He turned to see Divi backing away, very scared. Cerrapies continued to stare at the figure coming toward them.
The blacksmith finally replied, “You have no clue what we’re up against. It’s too late to run. We have no choice but to . . . fight.”
Levus asked, “Who is that?”
Cerrapies replied, “Lord Ulcinar.”
CHAPTER 8
The Dark Lord
Levus couldn’t believe it. Walking toward him and his friends was the most feared man on Dyyros. Was it a man? His purple skin was not human, nor were his ominous yellow nails. Levus didn’t even see pupils in his eyes. On the left side of his head, a large scar that went near to his cheek up to his forehead. He seemed more like the demons his mother read about to him when he was young.
So, this is the monster responsible for my dad leaving. The more Levus saw of Ulcinar, the more he couldn’t blame his father. Ulcinar’s steps echoed loudly as his strange boots crushed every pebble they met.
Cerrapies leaned over to Levus and said, “You ready, boy?”
Levus suggested, “We should run.”
Cerrapies shook his head, “Too late for that. We fight or we die. He shows no mercy for the cowards.”
Divi stared at Ulcinar. It was him! The man that has haunted her dreams for years now stood before her eyes. It was no dream that she experienced this time, pinching herself to make sure.
Ulcinar finally came to a halt. No one in the town dared to defy him. Levus looked around to see no movement among the townspeople. He was a little disappointed at their inaction. This was not the town he knew. The people he knew would band together to fight. They had done so countless times when thieves attacked their home. Yet, at this moment, they were no different than the cattle they herded.
The only people who made any movements were the Ferruds, who stood as a family just outside their house. Levus could see the concern on both of their daughters' faces. He turned to face Kile, who was still on one knee, staring at the ground. Levus thought it funny that one man could so easily bring even someone as powerful and strong as Kile to a knee.
Ulcinar smiled, seeing how the people responded to his presence. He wished Tartus and the capital had submitted so easily. War was essential to completing his mission, though he had his reasons to keep the losses at minimal as possible. He would eventually have to seize this town like the other cities on Dyyros, but for the respect they showed now, he might just spare them a few more months.
“Arise!”
Divi’s eyes opened wider. That voice! The voice in her dreams! So, he was the one doing this to her! It had the same effect on her now as it did in her mind, though more frightful in person. All the town’s residents followed his order and stood up. Kile and his men did the same, but a look of confidence glowed on their faces in contrast to the people’s fear.
As Kile approached Ulcinar, he couldn’t help but notice the sword sheathed on his belt. That was Ardeeza’s whip-sword. When the Dark Lord’s first general fell, he kept the sword as a reminder that even one as powerful as he could be stymied. The only time he used it himself was when he took over Tartus. He never brought it with him otherwise except when he made mass public appearances, which was rare. Would he bring the Marasam with him should he ever fall in battle? Kile doubted it. Ardeeza was always Ulcinar’s favorite, even after death.
“So, this is the boy that has caused us much grief these past days. Not too impressive looking, yet if he could compete with my best swordsman, then his looks are deceiving.”
Ulcinar finally took notice of the Moonsaber, and a dark smile grew on his face. His suspicions were correct. He felt a potency inside that metal that was all too familiar. Levus was too focused on Ulcinar to notice the Dark Lord’s infatuation on the weapon.
He said, “I’m not afraid of you.”
Ulcinar gave a short laugh. “Your mage friend is certainly taking a different perspective.”
“Leave them out of this!" Cerrapies yelled. "They are just children! You want to fight, tangle with this old man!”
“Ah, Sir Cerrapies. It has been a long time since we last met. I assume you have healed from all of your injuries.”
“You’re going to wish you had killed me in Tartus when you took it over.”
“An idle threat. Though I admit your courage to face me was impressive. That is the sole reason I let you live in Tartus. I may not be as merciful for your foolishness here.”
Cerrapies pointed one of the Twin Venoms at Ulcinar. “Fools are only foolish if they don’t know what they’re getting into.”
“I’m not here for you. Boy, what is your name?”
Levus never took his eyes off Ulcinar. “Levus Sintar.”
“Sintar . . . ah, yes. You must be the son of Jared. It
’s a shame your father didn’t stay when I completed my takeover. I could’ve used a man of his class, stature, and . . . skill.”
Ulcinar stared hard into Levus’ eyes, flashing a frightful smile. Kile had told him after his defeat in Porsita about the boy's eye colors. Normally not an uncommon trait on most civilized planets, on the chosen worlds, though, they were rarer than the most precious metal. His servant didn’t know what it meant, yet Ulcinar had some idea. He wasn’t certain if his theory was true, but it had been in past cases. This was a rare opportunity for him to have individuals with each arrangement of eye colors join him. He thought he'd succeed with Jared, but it didn't turn out that way. To complete a puzzle, you needed all the pieces.
“Kile was correct. Your eyes are as his, yet on different sides. Interesting. Levus, I’m here to offer you the same as I did your father. Join me and together we will figure out the mystery of your eyes.”
Levus bluntly said, “As I told your long-haired puppet before, I won’t join you.”
“Just as stubborn as his father,” Kile observed “Don’t you ever talk about him that way!”
“Why? You never knew him. It is my understanding that he disappeared shortly after he refused my Master’s gracious offer. By my counting, your time with him was alarmingly short.”
Levus’ anger at Kile grew with every word he spoke. Cerrapies grasped his arm to be sure he did nothing rash.
“I can feel the hatred in you. It is how you summoned your abilities the first time, isn’t it?”
He was amazed by Ulcinar’s knowledge of his feelings. Was he, in some way, causing this exotic sensation?
“Every time your hand wraps around that hilt, you feel a strange energy flow through you. An energy that you cannot control, yet feel that you are in control of. It makes you think of things. Things you would never want do, but are driven to do so. Just end this now and give me the sword, if you will not join me. Doing so will spare this town for the duration of my reign. Be a hero, Levus.”
