Throwing herself forward to cover the remaining distance, she felt her chest collide with Deliao’s shoulder, tackling him to the ground with a painful cry. He was so strong! Just the power in his stance was enough to cause damage to her bones upon impact, feeling a sharp, stabbing sensation start to build in her ribs where their bodies connected. He seemed surprised by the strength behind the attack, letting out a muffled grunt as they landed, head shaking to clear his vision and focus on his new opponent. “Well, if it isn’t the illustrious Kaori Levadis,” he smirked, tightening his grip on his sword as he climbed to his feet. “I’ve wanted to challenge you for some time. Perhaps I will finally learn if you are as good as your people claim.”
“Sulel is dead. We do not have to fight,” she exhaled a labored breath, the pain in her side increasing with the effort. Something didn’t feel right. The sensation resembled that which she felt while captive in the Imperial Prison, bringing with it a wave of unpleasant memories to think how long it had taken for the injuries inflicted upon her ribs to heal.
“On the contrary, his death only makes it more necessary,” Deliao glanced toward Sulel’s bloodied corpse, a hint of what looked to be pleasure flashing in the depths of his eyes. Kaori stared at him, confused by his strange reaction to the death of the Emperor he had sworn to protect. “The people will start to think you are their new leader. But you see,” he continued, taking a long, confident step to lessen the distance between himself and Kaori. “I have put in too much time molding the Empire. Manipulating Sulel to do things which would lessen his favor with the people so I could one day step up as their savior and bring him down to humbly take my place on the throne. You are ruining everything, Levadis, and I cannot allow it to go on.”
Her head reeled at what Deliao was saying. He sought the throne? The idea might have made sense had he not gone along so willingly with everything Sulel did. His name was uttered with nothing but contempt by the people of Carpaen. If he wanted to usurp the throne, he was going about it entirely the wrong way. “The people will never serve you,” she laughed nervously. “After everything you’ve helped Sulel to do in destroying my people, your name has been tarnished worse than his.”
Feigning sadness he shook his head, clucking his tongue in false dismay. “I took an oath when I accepted my position. I had no choice than to do as he said. But even the most loyal soldier must draw the line. It was going to be me who came in to save them from his tyrannical rule – after the Vor’shai were eradicated. Your people are too much of a risk to let live.”
“My people are no risk. We are no different from you.”
“If you truly believe that then you are more of a fool than I thought.”
Lips pursed, Kaori stared at Deliao. Just the sight of him rekindled the anger she felt while fighting Sulel, only more powerful. Heated. Sulel may have been the one who gave the order for the execution of her family, but Deliao was the one who carried out the deed. It was his face she saw the day her parents were so viciously torn from her life, giving directives to the executioner. His commands caused the men to increase the pressure of the rope around Sivar’s neck which choked the final breath from her brother’s body. If what he said was true, it was his counsel which swayed Sulel to strike at the Vor’shai. Although the realization made her want to sever his head from his body, her heart raced at an uncomfortable speed to think how difficult that task would be. He was a trained military general. The only person within the Vor’shai army she trusted to stand up to him was Therek, and he currently lay unconscious on the floor at Deliao’s feet. Defeating him would be a challenge. One she wasn’t convinced she was ready for.
“What’s the matter?” Deliao smirked. Cold and menacing. “You don’t look so sure of yourself anymore.”
She hated that his words rang with truth. Her confidence was fading fast. This wasn’t how she envisioned the final battle. Therek was supposed to be there with her, fighting by her side to take Deliao down. Her skill with a blade wasn’t enough to accomplish the task on her own. She had to find a way to rouse Therek or Deliao would kill her and assume control of the entire Empire. “I am merely confused,” she lied, hoping to buy time with idle chatter. There were plenty of questions left unanswered. Now seemed as good a time as any to fill in the blanks. “What makes you believe my people pose such a threat? We have existed in peace with humans for centuries.”
“Yes, but for how much longer would that peace last?” Deliao peered at Kaori, his voice filled with a passion she wasn’t used to hearing from him. He appeared determined. Convinced that everything he said was based in fact. “No one knows what you people are capable of, with your glowing eyes and strange lights you emit from your hands,” he spat. “It isn’t normal. It isn’t right! You are freaks of nature that cannot be allowed to exist among us.”
“So you would condemn an entire race simply because you do not understand us?”
“I don’t need to understand you. All I need to know is that you are not human and should not be tolerated to live any longer.”
“The gods would not approve of your prejudice,” Kaori frowned. Her heart ached to hear the hatred which seemed to drip from every word Deliao spoke. He loathed the Vor’shai for no reason other than that they were different. In his mind he believed that was enough to justify eradicating an entire race from the face of Myatheira. The thought was disturbing. To think someone could be consumed by so much hatred that it would drive them to this.
Throwing his head back, Deliao let loose a howl of laughter, causing Kaori to flinch from the sound. “To which gods do you refer? Yours?” he sneered. “What do I care about your gods? They are all Vor’shai. My deities are human. They support the job I have done to rid this planet of the heathens who do not worship them as they should.”
“And you honestly believe every human in Carpaen agrees with what you are doing?”
“They don’t have to agree. I will be their Emperor. They will do as I tell them!”
“You will never be Emperor!” Kaori shouted, frustration building at the foolishness of Deliao’s plan. How could he possibly think anyone would follow him after what he had done? Claims of being forced to do such heinous deeds would only go so far with the people. Actions spoke louder than words, and too many citizens witnessed the pleasure Deliao took in everything he did. The thrill in his eyes when he watched the ax fall on innocent victims. Humans and Vor’shai alike had been present at the execution of her parents to see the way he abused his power. He was just too stubborn to recognize the flaws in his plan which would act against his desire for control over the Empire.
Nose wrinkled in disdain, Deliao spit a ball of saliva onto the floor. Disgusted by something Kaori couldn’t see. “You’re right,” he scoffed. “I will never be Emperor so long as this bastard lives.” Drawing back his right leg, Deliao let his foot swing forward into Therek’s abdomen, the powerful strike lifting Therek’s body off the floor, his laughter growing louder to hear Kaori’s cries fill the room, screaming for him to stop. “Oh, this is going to be fun!” he bellowed loudly. “Did you really think I would let him live, Kaori? With Sulel dead, he is the only man who stands in my way to the throne.”
Winding back, Deliao gave another strong kick to Therek’s head, a loud crack drawing another scream from Kaori before she could stop herself. She couldn’t let this continue. There had to be something she could do to distract him. Too many more hits were sure to kill Therek just as easily as the blade she’d seen in her dream. “He does not stand in your way,” she cried out, instinctively running forward though she had no idea what she would do if she got within range of Deliao. He was ready for a fight. A surprise attack was out of the question.
“No?” Deliao looked up at her, his chin lifted, watching as she came to pause a few feet away. “Somewhere in this damnable palace remains a tattered old will which names the great Lord Losuva as heir to the Carpaen crown. That alone is enough to require his death in order to assure my ascension to the throne.�
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It came to her suddenly, excitement thrumming through Kaori’s veins, mingled with fear and uncertainty. The only reason Deliao insisted on killing Therek was because of the will left by Sulel’s father. But that document was null and void, replaced by the scrolls Therek signed while in Namorea which named Kaori as heir in his stead. That detail might be enough to distract Deliao from Therek, but it was sure to turn his anger directly upon her. Still, it was a chance she had to take. If she didn’t, Deliao would kill Therek, and it would be her fault for being too afraid to fight.
“The Namiren King holds a copy of a document signed by Therek Losuva which designates someone else as heir to the Empire, relinquishing the Losuva family’s rights to the throne. Killing him accomplishes nothing.”
“You lie.” Deliao’s head snapped up to stare at Kaori, challenging her. “A pathetic attempt to save his miserable life.”
Steeling her resolve, Kaori straightened her posture, holding Deliao’s hardened gaze, unwilling to back down. “I do not lie, Deliao. If you require proof, examine the crest worn by the Vor’shai soldiers. You will see it does not match that of the Losuva family.”
Curiosity filled Deliao’s eyes, the way his gaze shifted between Kaori and Therek, aware of the crest embroidered on Therek’s uniform. Haughty in his movements, he kept a firm grasp on his sword, bending his knees to get a closer look at the emblem without letting down his guard. A look of disgust passed over his hardened features, rising back to his feet in a swift, fluid motion, the tip of his sword lowering to point the blade in Kaori’s direction. “So it is you,” he spat, his motions slow and controlled, stepping over Therek’s limp figure toward Kaori. She swallowed hard to see him coming closer, sweat along her palm making it harder to keep a firm grasp on her weapon. Her plan had worked. He was distracted from Therek. Now she had to think of a way to defeat Deliao on her own – and quickly.
Hoping to better her grip she brought the weapon in front of her, placing both hands firmly over the hilt. It wasn’t intended as a two-handed blade, but she had little choice when facing an opponent of Deliao’s strength and size. He would overpower her easily if she gave him a chance. It would require every trick she could manage to keep herself alive for more than a few moments once his sword was in motion.
Her pulse raced. Head throbbing from the increased flow of blood through her veins. The very sight of Deliao was enough to send chills through her spine, heightening her desire to turn around and run from the room to avoid his wrath. Everything about him screamed power. Intimidation. His broad shoulders were sturdy, the muscular design of his chest and abdomen making him a rock compared to the smaller, less experienced soldiers Kaori fought to find her way into the palace. Therek’s blood could be seen smeared across the polished leather of his boots, a testament to his skill in being able to take down a man so renowned for his combative prowess. Strands of his dirty-blond hair had been pulled from the tie which bound the rest of it behind his back, disheveled from battle. It was all Kaori could do to stand her ground. What have you gotten yourself into? He was going to kill her. She was crazy to think she was in any way ready to take him on.
He moved with incredible speed and precision, lunging forward, a test of Kaori’s reflexes. Spurred into motion by the strike she shuffled backward, her arms coming up in a defensive posture, feeling her feet slide further across the floor under the power of Deliao’s sword against hers. His laughter filled the room as Kaori scrambled to recover from the blow, hands squeezing tighter around her sword in fear of it falling. He won’t go down as easily as Sulel. If she lost her weapon, the fight would be over.
In a flurry of movement Deliao was on her again. Every strike perfectly timed. Focused. Quick. He closed the gap between them without effort, the speed of his hands blurring in front of Kaori’s eyes, disorienting, blinding her momentarily, a hard crack resounding through her head with a painful scream as the flat of Deliao’s elbow connected with Kaori’s face, sending her stumbling to the side. Tiny flashes of white light danced in front of her vision. He hit so hard! She wasn’t recovered from the first blow when she heard his footsteps coming toward her again, feeling his hands grasping her left arm to twist it at an awkward angle, the momentum of the technique carrying her weight forward, legs flipping over her head to land flat on her back with an agonizing thud.
All she could think about was keeping her right hand on her sword. It was the only thing between her and certain death, however tenuous of a barrier it might be. From her position on the floor, it would do absolutely nothing to protect her if she couldn’t get back to her feet. Deliao was already making his next move, kneeling on the ground to try and pin her where she lie. Instinct kicked in, her body rolling out of the way to avoid the pressure of Deliao’s knee upon her chest. She couldn’t let him hold her down. No matter how much her injuries hurt, she needed to stay focused on keeping distance between them. She had to find a way to keep him far enough away that she could strike with her sword without giving him the advantage of using his hands the way he already had.
Dizzy, she fought to climb to her feet, knees trembling, unsteady. The pain in her left arm was excruciating. She didn’t want to think it might be broken, fighting back the pain-filled tears which hindered her vision almost worse than the dancing lights still darting across her eyes. Every muscle in her body moved without conscious thought, guided by desperation and her indomitable will to survive. Deliao continued his assault, merciless in the way he pushed forward, strike after strike, narrowly missing his mark more times than Kaori was comfortable with.
“You cannot escape death, Levadis,” Deliao said through gritted teeth, his concentration unbroken, delivering another powerful thrust toward Kaori’s midsection. Barely stepping to the side in time to avoid the strike Kaori parried the blade away, eyes narrowed, prepared for whatever he might throw next.
“Even if you… kill me, it does not... guarantee you the crown,” she exhaled, winded from the fight, her words broken in her attempts to fill her lungs with enough air to say what she wanted to say. “My people… will not follow you. They will continue to fight until... they are free of your prejudice and greed.”
“Let them fight me! I will kill them all, the same way I killed your parents. I’m not afraid of your pathetic race.”
“If you were not afraid of us, you would not consider us a threat worthy of extermination.”
A hard impact against her chest sent Kaori back down onto the floor, the last bit of air in her lungs forced out, leaving her breathless, staring fearfully up at Deliao where he descended upon her, knees straddling her abdomen, the blade of his sword lowering toward her neck at an alarming speed. Pure luck left her own sword positioned between them, blocking Deliao’s blade, her arm trembling under the strength of the strike, straining to keep the sharpened edge away from her throat. Without the use of her left arm, she was helpless. Incapable of keeping Deliao’s weapon at bay much longer. What am I going to do? Her training hadn’t prepared her for this. There had to be a way to get free, yet her mind was blank, filled with fear, unwilling to give up but aware that she had no advantage over a man of Deliao’s strength and skill.
She refused to accept that there was nothing left for her to do. Since she was a child she’d been made to believe she was no different from the humans but over the past several months it had become obvious that there was something within her people that the humans feared which required the Vor’shai to mask their true strength. Pehrona spoke of it in regards to the forbidden use of the Vor’shai energy to tend the wounded and sick, but what if it extended beyond medicine? There had to be a way to harness the light within her. To control it. Manipulate it to her advantage. She could feel it inside, coursing through her body, so close to the surface. She just had to focus.
Teeth gritted, she felt her arm starting to give out. Deliao’s blade lowered another inch, hovering just above the skin of Kaori’s throat, the smile on his face widening to see the fear in her eyes. Time was
running out. Death looked her in the eye, his weapon poised for the final blow which would send her into Sytlea’s grasp. Only the gods could grant her the strength necessary to free herself from Deliao’s grasp. Her current position hardly seemed appropriate for a moment of prayer, but she was out of ideas. There was nothing left to do but beg the gods for guidance once more. They had provided her the weapon needed to kill Sulel. Maybe they had one final miracle up their sleeve.
“Eylanial, Goddess of Life, hear my plea,” she whispered. Eyes closed, she reached outward with her mind, unsure exactly what she expected to come of her prayers. Eylanial was the goddess of everything living on Myatheira. She seemed the best deity to invoke when the life of herself and her people was at risk of being wiped from existence. “Hear my plea,” she whispered again, softer than before. “As your humble servant, I invoke thee.”
“Your gods cannot save you!” Deliao laughed, increasing the pressure of his sword against Kaori’s blade. Confidence shone from his brown eyes, twinkling with joy, convinced of his victory despite Kaori’s continued attempts to fend him off. Intent on exuding dominance, he released one hand from his sword to dig the tips of his fingers into Kaori’s neck, preventing her from speaking her prayers out loud. “I want to feel your final breath as it leaves your body. You can die knowing that your death brings with it the end of every wretched Vor’shai in Carpaen.”
The Myatheira Chronicles: Volume Four: In the Beginning Page 86
