The Dark Kingdom (Sage Trilogy, Book 2)

by St. Clair, Julius

  “Perhaps that can be arranged,” the King said, picking at his fingernails. “Tell me about this mission you’ve come here for, and what you want of me.”

  “You know of the green ether that covers your Kingdom. Surely you’ve heard of the purpose.”

  “I have. Not that I’m an avid listener of fairy tales.”

  “Whether you are or not, it is close to blanketing all of our Kingdoms, and we’ve received word that Zen-echelon is the cause. It’s waiting for each of us to be under this ether, and then it plans to send an army to kill us all.”

  “No one’s seen any movement from Zen-echelon in over a century. There’s nothing there.”

  “Yet everyone that goes to investigate never comes back to confirm. What does that tell you?”

  “Who knows? I have no mind to go myself.”

  “Listen,” Arimus said. “We’re here to stop this before it comes down to a global war. And whether or not you believe it, we’re here under peace. We’re here to save you all.”

  “And I should be so thankful,” the King said, sitting up. “But I grow weary of your dance. Tell me what you want.”

  “The stone of Languor.”

  “Ah, there we are. That’s what I was waiting for. You want me, the King of Languor, to give to an Allayan…our Kingdom’s greatest source of power.”

  “I know how it sounds. But our intentions are pure. By bringing the stones together, we’ll be able to destroy them all, clearing the ether out of the sky, and giving us all a chance at Paradise.”

  “Ridiculous,” the King laughed. “And all I get in return is what? The hope of salvation? Come on, Arimus. I thought you to be reasonable. Do you remember Languor at all? We have everything we could possibly need. Entertainment. Food. Luxury. We have enough warriors to rival that of Quietus, and you want us to give that up? To scrounge? To cripple ourselves and become like Allay? If you take our stone, within two generations we’ll lose all our power, and suddenly, we’ll be no different than the villagers in your Kingdom. Weak. Lost. Dirty. No, Arimus. I would never entertain such a thought…well, I would consider one exchange.”

  “What is it?”

  “Give me your Princess,” he said, leaning forward, looking steadily into Arimus’ eyes. “Have her marry me, and you will be given your stone.”

  Arimus stared into the eyes of his old friend, searching for signs of humor.

  “You’re serious,” he said finally, as the old King straightened his robe.

  “That’s my only offer.”

  “I will have to decline.”

  “Then we don’t have a deal. But I’m not evil…or impatient. It would be wrong of me to just banish you and your group from my Kingdom so abruptly. Take a couple days to consider my offer and then come back with an answer. We’ll go from there.”

  “Fine,” Arimus said as he got up from the throne. “I’ll discuss it with them.”

  The old King chuckled as Arimus stormed out the room, fuming.

  * * * * *

  As soon as James stepped outside the massive hallway, and the relatively small castle, he almost forgot about Catherine entirely. Languor…was nothing like the village he left behind.

  At night…the Kingdom came alive.

  Firework and light shows went off constantly. The lights of the city below were bright and caused shadows to dance on the night sky above it. Cheers and shouts of entertainment could be heard even from the hill where they stood. Bright colors and laughing children were in abundance, and even large floats of famous Langorans and their cultural heroes hung in the air, some looking like strange woodland creatures while others looked no different than the guards the Sages had encountered earlier.

  James didn’t know what to say. When the citizens of Allay were just going to bed from a hard day of work, the Langorans were ready to party. Suddenly, he remembered Catherine, and he felt a pang in his chest over the thought of her enjoying such a dazzling city with Achan and not him.

  “This is amazing,” Dominic said as he took in the sight. “How is all this possible?”

  “They must work real hard during the day,” James replied. Dominic swung his head to him in surprise.

  “Oh, I forgot you were still there.”

  “I’m sorry that my commonalty makes me so invisible.”

  “I’m not,” Dominic said as he began descending the steps. James groaned as he looked below him, the vast amount of stairs that led from the mountain where the castle lay, to the bright city below. There had to be over a million steps.

  James ran down the steps as fast as he could, trying to catch up to Dominic who seemed to be gliding over them. As he ran he thought of Chloe and how she had transformed her arm in the forest. How she did it so effortlessly, and how quick and precise she had been. How did she manage it? What was her secret?

  “Dominic, can I ask you something?” James said, swallowing his pride. Dominic had been a Sage longer than he had. He had to have received training beyond his own.

  “No,” Dominic replied, but James persisted.

  “I really need your help.”

  “Okay, fine,” Dominic groaned, talking as he ran. “What is it?”

  “How is Chloe able to pull out her eidolon so quickly? I mean, the transformation light came after it was already out.”

  “I’ve been trying to figure that out for a while,” Dominic said truthfully. “To be honest, I’m not sure. When I asked her, she said that the soul is already a part of you. Why limit yourself to transforming just in the midst of light? Something like that.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Neither do I. But there’s got to be something to what she’s saying. She wouldn’t be so powerful otherwise.”

  “True…hey, we’re here!” James exclaimed as they skidded to a halt. Standing at the entrance to the city, he was able to see just how tall and wide the buildings were. Even the doorways were massive, and James could only surmise it was because of how big some of the Langorans could get. What he couldn’t understand was how they accomplished so much. Lights were everywhere, and the city was crowded, bustling with Langorans that were exchanging their currency at vendors for clothing or food, arm wrestling on coffee tables or eating vigorously in the restaurants. James felt a lump in his throat as he thought of his friend, Korey. He would have been right at home here.

  “Now, if you really want some entertainment,” Dominic said, the first twinge of excitement in his voice yet. “We should go there.”

  James followed his rival’s finger and gazed off in the distance. From where they stood, a fork in the city was created, allowing two streets for pedestrians to go down. On the right, a banner hung over it declaring the shopping district, but the left, got a rise out of James. It read, “Warrior district”

  “No one said we couldn’t fight for sport,” Dominic mused. James was happy to agree.

  “Let’s check it out.”

  They ran down the street made of gold bricks, dodging the townspeople dressed in their finest clothing for a night on the town. Glorious robes that boasted as many jewels as possible. The more one possessed, the greater they were revered. One man they passed even had a diamond the size of James’ head hanging on his chest from a necklace. James tried not to think of how even one of those small diamonds could probably feed his village for a week.

  There was nothing exciting about the warrior district at first. Just vendors and kiosks with axes, swords, bows, one even had an old guillotine on sale. But then they saw what they were hoping for. Sticking out on the left side of the street was a large sign that said: Tournament Center.

  Dominic patted James on the back in a friendly gesture and preceded ahead, running up to the booth next to the iron gated entrance.

  “What are the rules to enter?” he asked as the Langoran, barely able to fit inside the construct looked at him like a piece of meat.

  “What does it matter? You looking to die tonight?”

  “Yes,” Dominic said. “I wish to di
e like a warrior. With honor.”

  “Well, that’s all good and well, but the tournament is about to begin in a couple minutes, and registration already ended. You can try again tomorrow. We hold this nightly.”

  “Oh c’mon. I don’t need any armor to fit in. Just send me as I am.”

  “There’s regulations, kid. Besides, you look like an outsider, and we’re not – hmm?”

  The Langoran stopped talking as a head poked out from behind his shoulder and whispered in his ear. The Langoran in the booth nodded and then gasped as he looked back at James and Dominic.

  “How come you didn’t tell me you were Sages from the start? You guys are an endangered species! Haven’t seen one in years!”

  “So my friend and I can enter?”

  “Of course! You do know that if you die in there, we’re not responsible, right?”

  “I wouldn’t hold you to it.”

  “All the same, sign this.” The Langoran produced a death waiver for them to sign and then he pressed a button on the wall, opening the iron gate.

  “Hey, alright then! Have fun! Try not to kill each other!” he laughed as Dominic chuckled and headed through the door. James followed behind eagerly but was too far back to hear Dominic mutter under his breath.

  “No promises.”

  * * * * *

  “Are you having fun?” Achan asked as Catherine swallowed the last of her candied apple. She burped on instinct and then covered her mouth in embarrassment. Achan laughed and took her mouth away.

  “It’s okay,” he said. “You can be yourself around me.”

  “That’s good to know,” Catherine said as she looked at all of the beautiful decorations. They were sitting on stools under a rainbow umbrella, watching a parade of floats go past on the golden streets.

  “You know what’s so funny and sad?” Catherine said. “This city…it reminds me of Allay in so many ways. Before the siege, I mean. I don’t remember details, but I do recall the lights. There was more than the village then. Most of it was in what’s now the meadow…it’s strange how nostalgic all of this feels.”

  “Well, I’m glad that we’re able to relive some fond memories.”

  “Oh, no, there’s nothing fond about it. All of the lights and noise was actually very distracting. Kept me awake most nights when I was little. To be honest, I prefer Allay as it is now. Everything looks so natural. As it should be.”

  “I never knew Allay once looked like this…”

  “You know, I’m surprised you asked me out, with you and James being such good friends…he doesn’t mind?”

  “It was his idea actually.”

  “Oh?”

  “He knew how much I cared about you, so, he thought that I should be given the opportunity to get to know you first.”

  “How sweet of him,” she said, looking at a float passing by that resembled like a giant, orange snail. “That’s a strange looking creature.”

  “Catherine,” Achan asked, bringing her attention back to him. “Are you bored?”

  “No,” she said. “It’s just I’m trying to figure you out.”

  “How so?” Achan asked curiously.

  “Your comment…just now, about not knowing Allay looked like this…how could you have not known? Or at least heard about it?”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Out of the seven Sages, I know you the least. Sure, James was the last to join, but I’ve met his father, been to his village, heard of his friends. But you…I know nothing about. I’ve heard about you at the Academy. How you wanted to be an infantryman more than a Sage, which is a little odd, but nothing serious…still, I wonder, where did you come from?”

  “I came from Allay, Princess,” Achan laughed. “I’m a Sage, aren’t I? Only Sages come from Allay.”

  “That’s true,” Catherine mused, leaning her chin into the palm of her hands. “And that’s the only kink in my theory.”

  “And what theory is this?”

  “That you come from another Kingdom,” she said, looking directly at him. “That you don’t belong to Allay at all.”

  “I’m not following,” Achan said, scrunching his eyebrows together.

  “Where did you live before coming to the Academy?”

  “In the village.”

  “Who was your mother and father?”

  “I lived with my aunt Michelle on the outskirts, in the poorer district. I joined the Academy because I was tired of our conditions and wanted to make a difference. But I never wanted to be a Sage, even after I heard of the legends. I wanted to be a normal man saving lives, like the people I knew in the village itself, not these heroes from bedtime stories and picture books.”

  “But who was your mother and father?” she stressed.

  “I don’t know,” he said, staring at Catherine blank faced. “They died when I was young…”

  “Hmm…”

  “Catherine, I don’t know where this line of questioning is coming from, but the fact of the matter is, I’m madly in love with you, and that’s the truth. I’ve always admired you from a distance, and if you’ll just give me a chance, I’m sure you’ll fall for me too.”

  “That’s quite confident,” she said in surprise. “What makes you so lovable?”

  “I’m a man of principle,” Achan said boldly. “One that won’t break them under any circumstances.”

  “And what are those, if you don’t mind me asking.”

  “I’ll put my life before others. I’ll always fight for my dreams. And I’ll treat the woman I love like a Princess.”

  “But I am a Princess,” Catherine perked up, her eyes smiling. “So if you want to impress me, you’ll have to do better than that. We spoiled types are used to be pampered.”

  “Oh I mean to go way beyond that for you. It’s hard to put into words though. Perhaps I should show you.”

  “You’ve got my attention, stranger,” Catherine smirked as Achan stepped down from the stool and offered his hand. She accepted it, and he led her down the shopping district, wondering just how he was going to show her how much he cared…

  * * * * *

  “Are you absolutely sure you don’t want any armor?” Dominic asked as James stretched his neck.

  “You’re not putting any on. Why should I?”

  “Because I’m stronger than you are.”

  “Whatever, just concentrate on your first fight.”

  “I hope you make it to the finals, James.”

  James stopped stretching and stared at Dominic. He had been irritatingly friendly in the past hour. There was no way Scarlet scolded him into a complete character change. Something was up.

  “What’s wrong with you,” James said as he stepped over the wooden bench to face his rival. With the tournament already under way, the armory/locker room was completely empty, giving them the privacy they needed before heading off to the waiting room.

  “What do you mean?” Dominic said, walking toward the waiting room. “You think I’ve gone soft after Scarlet’s talk with me?”

  “That’s exactly what I think,” James replied, following him. “You’ve never been nice to me. Why start now?”

  “Maybe it’s for the good of the mission. Maybe I’m doing it for Catherine. Have you ever considered that?”

  “Not for a second,” James raised his voice at him. “Because I know you too well. Whatever you’re doing, it’s for you and you alone.”

  “Am I?” Dominic yelled, turning to face him. “And what would you know about me, James? Tell me what you think you know.”

  “I know that I was just like you. An egotistical maniac who never knew when to shut up. A fool who couldn’t back up his words.”

  “See, that’s where you’re wrong. You know nothing about me. See, while you were sitting in the village wasting away, I was training to become a soldier, a Sage. My parents were Sages, James. They fought in the siege of 88 and died fighting. I wanted to be like them so much that I even went out there and tried to kill a Quie
tus myself when I was barely six years old. Of course, I didn’t get very far.”

  Dominic ripped the front of his shirt, exposing a large, deep scar that extended from his collarbone to his waist.

  “The Quietus gave me a nice cut and left me to die. Took years to fully recover. And it wouldn’t even have taken that long if I had just lain in bed and rested. But I was too ambitious. I kept on training, in spite of my wounds. See, I want to be the strongest there is, and not because of some fantasy where I go around fighting bad guys. I do it because I never want what happened to Allay to happen again. I do it because Catherine needs someone that can kill any Quietus that rears its ugly head in the Kingdom. See, I’m nothing like you. You stumble in the Academy doors like a drunkard and mumble some retarded babble about becoming a Sage. Your common bones steps on sacred ground and suddenly you declare that you’re going to succeed where so many have failed…all of it, on a whim.”

  “But I did it, didn’t I?” James huffed, getting closer to Dominic with clenched fists. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “You’re an accident, James, “Dominic said coldly, shrugging his shoulders. “I heard about how you unleashed your eidolon. Tripping over your own feet while thinking you were using a manumit. And all of it was to save Catherine against Kyran of all people. Not an enemy of Allay. A teacher of your own school. So when I say you’re an accident, James, I say that as serious and candidly as I can. For your own good, just go back to Allay while you still can, pull up a chair on your failure of a father’s land, and go back to being what you were all along: Dirt.”

  James screamed in rage and pushed Dominic forward as hard as he could, through the armory and into the waiting room. Throwing a punch as fast as he could to Dominic’s face with his left, he reached toward his ribs with his right, but Dominic saw it all. He kicked James’ right hand away as he dodged the punch and kept backing up, past the number of Langorans lined up and waiting for their turn to fight. James lunged again, but Dominic pivoted to the right and jabbed James in the face so fast it knocked him off balance. Gritting his teeth, Dominic continued jabbing James like a boxer, each consecutive punch slowing down but gaining more strength by the second. One final right hook sent James flying into the line of Langorans, who picked him to his feet and yelled at him.