The End of the Fantasy (Book #6 of the Sage Saga)

by Julius St. Clair

  “It’s been five since we ate actually.”

  “I barely noticed,” he muttered.

  “Good. It means you’re really concentrating.”

  “It’s hard to think of food when you’re constantly being ripped apart.”

  “How is that going by the way? Did you feel any pain in any of our sessions?”

  “Sort of. But it’s been distant. Nothing that would make me go over the edge. I think my body has to know that it’s life threatening.”

  “I don’t think we’re going to go that route too often,” she said, folding her knees into her chest. She looked up at the sky and stared at the moon, shining big and bold before them as if it was about to put on a show. The stars around it sat still as if they were the audience on the other side of the stadium. A light breeze nestled against their cold and grimy faces. Lily grinned and Bastion scooted over to be closer to her. He put his arm around her and pulled her close as they stared out over the horizon.

  “We’ll eat tomorrow,” he said. Lily didn’t say anything, but he was sure she heard him.

  “Do you think we’re making progress?” Lily asked, and Bastion took a deep breath.

  “In what exactly? Am I getting stronger? Not really. Gaining a tolerance to pain? Sure. A little. But I wouldn’t say we’re making any huge advances.”

  “I was thinking of something. A way that you could get stronger without the daily grind.”

  “What’s the rush? Is it the Yama?”

  “Just what I’m sensing,” she said, still facing the moon. “Nothing serious yet…but the way things are going, I’m afraid that you’ll have to intervene soon.”

  “Why? What’s happening?” he asked in concern, facing her.

  “What is your goal as far as the Kingdoms go? Do you want them all to be saved?”

  “Is that even possible?” Bastion sighed.

  “But what do you want? Like…if Allay is attacked, do we head there?”

  “It’s a case by case basis, I guess. Why? Tell me. What’s happening?”

  “Languor…they’re going to fall.”

  Bastion immediately thought of Kent. His homeland. That’s what was threatened. His first reaction was to go help, but the memories of what he had done there were still fresh in his mind. And besides, was it right to assist so soon? Would he go if it was Allay being attacked? Would he actually make a difference? Or would a few more days give him the edge he needed to bring about the best resolution? Whether he acted or not would have a profound effect on the future of them all.

  “What’s the way I can get stronger?” he asked. “Tell me that, and then I’ll choose.”

  “I want to see what happens if we were to fuse together?”

  “Fuse?”

  “I’m the embodiment of the stones of power,” she said. “Take me inside of you.”

  “I’m not going to use you,” he said sternly and she shook her head.

  “That’s not what I meant. I don’t want you to use me…but of course, if we were in a situation that would destroy us both anyways, I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I wouldn’t easily be captured, and…I could assess your strengths and weaknesses better. We can still talk, it’s just that I wouldn’t have a body that you can see.”

  “But that’s like the only reason I even keep you around,” he winked at her. She rolled her eyes.

  “You know it’s a good idea.”

  “It is,” he said, “and I’m curious to see what we can do together, but if we do this, it means that we can’t help Languor? Why couldn’t we do both?”

  “We can. It’s just that you’ll be more likely to use me in that case—in order to save others. We won’t have time to fine tune anything. If we train together…we’ll know what we’re doing.”

  “I see,” Bastion said, looking at her as she watched the clouds move. An uneasy feeling gripped him though he had no reason to give it weight. “Let me ask you a question,” he said. “Do you want to help Languor? You have a say in all this too, you know. We’re in this together.”

  Lily finally looked at him. Her face was expressionless as her eyes searched his.

  “I don’t like the idea of people dying. But if we interfere too soon, and we’re not ready, everyone will die instead of a few.”

  “And when will we be ready? How will we ever feel that we’re ready?”

  “I don’t know,” Lily said. “But I think when the time comes, it will hit us.”

  “The Yama wouldn’t want us to interfere in a battle with Languor.”

  “The Yama wouldn’t want us to interfere period.”

  “What if your masters are the Yama?” he asked carefully. He knew what he was trying to ask, but he didn’t want to insult her. He was grateful for her company, her warmth, her guidance, her growing love for him. If the situation wasn’t so dire, he would fall in love with her easily. But since the world was now so fragile, and so much was riding on his actions, he had to weigh all possibilities. Even those that kept Lily at bay.

  “I thought about that,” she said, rubbing her shoulders. “That they might have me here because it would keep you from taking action. It’s not impossible…but honestly, I just don’t want to see you get killed, and have all of this just fall apart. Acting might be the answer, but waiting might be too. It really is up to you.”

  “I don’t know,” Bastion said, wishing the answer would fall into his lap. He sighed and glanced back up at Lily. “We’re going to train a little longer.”

  “Are you sure?” she winced. “You know what that will mean, don’t you?”

  “Yeah,” he said. “And I’ll have to live with that. But I weighed the pros and cons. Languor is second in strength to Allay, they love to fight, and they have an army. Also, with what I did there recently, my presence might cause more harm than help. Not to mention that I don’t even feel ready…”

  “You might not feel ready,” she said, “but remember that you may never feel ready.”

  “I know,” he said. When he didn’t say anything else, Lily let the conversation go. She went back to looking back at the moon and Bastion felt a lump form in his throat. He watched the moon as well, but his attention wasn’t on it. His mind was racing, playing endless scenarios of what would happen when the Yama would arrive on Languor’s steps and he wasn’t there to intercept…

  They weren’t good images.

  * * *

  At first Zain thought it was a dream, but he had never known a dream to continue after he had awoken. The second explosion in the distance made it very clear that the Kingdom was under attack, and his first thought was not that it was the Yama, but Allay, for refusing to assist their Kingdom in the upcoming, unconfirmed threat.

  But would they be so stupid as to attack them outright? Granted, the new ruler was seen as a haughty and irritable ruler, but even he couldn’t be so stupid that he would ruin the peace between their Kingdoms.

  Zain leapt off the bed and let his new bride sleep. She slept like the dead, and for once, he was happy she did. There was no reason to hear her nagging.

  He didn’t even bother putting on his royal robes and crown. He opted for his armor and his sword. Rushing through the halls of the castle, he pushed past his subjects, walking like zombies into the hall, the crust still settling in their eyelashes and sockets.

  “MOVE!” Zain shouted as he reached the end, pushed open the large gold doors and began running down the stairs that led into the foyer and the castle entrance. There was a number of soldiers already standing on the polished stone floor below, helping each other put on their steel helmets, chain mail and gauntlets. Zain ignored their pleas for his attention. He continued pushing forward until he reached the castle entrance, and against all suggestions he shoved open the doors. It was what he feared most.

  The Kingdom was on fire, and memories of Thorn flashed through his mind. This time though, there were no dragons or Reds or balls of fire rolling throughout the structures. There was a mass of flesh, like a swarm of loc
ust, running along the rooftops and through the streets. They were swift and brutal, devouring everything in its wake. Someone grabbed his shoulder and he nearly turned around to punch the guard in the face.

  “It’s the Yama,” the guard said, his identity unknown for his face was completely shielded by a helmet of iron. Only the slits revealed a pair of concerned and very blue eyes. “This cannot be an illusion. Not with how many there are.”

  “How did we not see them coming?” Zain demanded, slowly closing the castle doors. His subjects and guards immediately came to his aid and closed the door in his stead. “An army that large? And how can they be that fast?”

  “From the few scouts that made it,” Bein shouted, jogging down the stairs, “we’ve theorized that their energy fluctuates depending on their intentions. They can be very powerful but then they lose a great deal of speed. With great speed, they lose strength. We think that right now, they are using their speed to quickly overtake us but still, they are not very powerful. They are simply using strength in numbers.”

  “Send the Enforcer to cut them down.”

  “Already done. He’s on his way. However, he is new to the job, so it will take more than he to overcome them. The people are being slaughtered.”

  “Tell me something I don’t know,” Zain muttered. “Order an evacuation if it hasn’t already been done. I need every able-bodied fighter to start hacking away at that mass. The quicker we form our own swarm, the easier this will be. They only have the advantage because they caught us off guard.” Another explosion went off again outside and Zain grit his teeth. He didn’t like being on the defensive.

  “Sire!” A guard shouted from his right. “Someone is trying to get through the tunnels!” Zain looked down at the hidden entrance under the center of the foyer floor, the door beginning to slowly rise from its foundation.

  “Well, kill it!” Zain shouted as the door flew upward and toward the ceiling. The guards began pointing toward their swords toward the hole, but a tar-black hand suddenly reached up and grabbed one by the collar, pulling him down into the dark. A crunching sound followed as they heard the guard screaming.

  “What was that?” Bein exclaimed as he waved to a guard at his side. The guard threw him a sword to defend himself with.

  “I can’t see anything,” one of the guards said as they remained vigilant. Suddenly a bright yellow light lit up the darkness and the guards began to gasp as they realized what the source was—an eidolon.

  “It’s a Sage!” one of the guards said as the Sage leapt from the hole and into the air. The Sage was bald and wearing a yellow Sage robe that was so bright that Zain had to squint his eyes. The Sage landed on his feet and began taking out the guards one by one as Zain looked back to the hole. There was Quietus coming out at an alarming rate.

  QUIETUS!

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Zain muttered as he rushed forward to take out one of the Quietus. His blade clashed against its forearm scythe and he was barely able to push it back. Bein joined the fray but he was quickly overtaken by the mysterious Sage. The Langorans were strong, but they were no match for the Quietus. The creatures’ reputations preceded them, and all of the training that the Langoran guards had undertaken was suddenly overcome by raw fear.

  It took only a couple minutes to realize how horrible the situation was. Zain sighed and backed away from the massacre, knowing that they would all save him for last. He grabbed one of the guards near him and whispered in his ear.

  “Hide! Quickly, near the secret bed chambers. Take what information you overhear and then head to Prattle. Tell Tyuin what has transpired here.”

  “How long should I wait?”

  “Until the enemy is done with their display.”

  “Should I get the Queen?”

  “Your mission is to survive and play the messenger. Don’t mess this up.”

  “Yes,” he said, running away. Zain nodded toward a couple more guards near him.

  “Don’t fight them unless I say so,” he ordered as he heard the last of the opposition give its last breath. There was only him and the two guards at his side now. The young Sage that had cut down so many of his men stepped toward him and smiled.

  “Hi,” he said. Zain fought every urge within him not to tackle the smug-faced boy to the ground. But he had grown some brains in his short reign as King. He knew that attacking wasn’t always the best option, and he knew that he wouldn’t be able to fight against an eidolon easily. Still, he slowly expanded his muscles, carefully increasing his mass so that it wouldn’t appear intimidating…at least not at first.

  “I’m Mason,” the Sage said, and Zain nodded. He had heard that name before. But who was he? What was his importance? Zain looked past the young Sage to see the Quietus standing behind him, hunched over and waiting for orders. Zain took a deep breath.

  Remember…information is what you seek.

  “Allayans and Quietus?” Zain said, as calmly as he could. He could already feel his face getting hot. “And I take it the Yama swarming outside are your illusions?”

  “The real deal,” Mason said. “We have formed an alliance.”

  “And why tell me this?”

  “Because your Kingdom has fallen, and a lot quicker than we expected I might add. You were the only opposition really. Prattle doesn’t have warriors, just some meager defenses.”

  “I wouldn’t underestimate them.”

  “Oh stop. Even you wouldn’t be afraid of them. Languor could have taken them over whenever they pleased.”

  “So now what? You’ve overtaken the Kingdom. What are you going to do? Burn it?”

  “It will be a Yama base for now,” Mason said matter-of-factly. “Then we’ll burn it.”

  “What are you doing?” Zain scoffed, shaking his head. “A young kid like you joining with the Yama and roping the Quietus into this. This is foolish.”

  “Says the loser,” Mason replied. “And I’ll have you know that I’m not just some kid. I’m the Master of the Allayan Order.”

  “What happened to the previous Order Master?”

  “That doesn’t concern you, does it?” Mason snapped. Zain crossed his arms as the two guards at his sides were noticeably shaking. They could sense it as well as he. The end was near.

  “So what happens after Prattle is taken? You think the Yama will just leave Allay standing?”

  “Our ruler and that of the Yama have come to an understanding.”

  “Or they’re using you all. Don’t you know your history? Thorn had the Kingdoms turn on each other so that we would all be weaker collectively. If we hadn’t formed an alliance when we did, you probably wouldn’t have been born. You wouldn’t be standing here right now, talking out of your childish mouth and falling for lies.”

  “Show respect,” Mason said, gripping his eidolon tightly. “I haven’t disrespected you.”

  “Just killed my people...that’s all.”

  “Not all,” Mason said. “After all, we’ll need slaves, right? That’s what will become of the Langoran people…slaves.”

  “And the Quietus?” Zain asked, looking back at them.

  “They will be our most prized warriors.”

  “Allay, Yama and Quietus aligned. Sounds like an alliance ripe for failure.”

  “I think we’re done talking,” Mason said as he quickly sliced his eidolon through the guards at Zain’s sides. Zain had barely seen him move. Before he realized what happened, he found an eidolon at his throat.

  “Bravo,” Zain said. “You’re almost victorious.”

  “Are you really bringing up Prattle again?” Mason laughed. “I’m telling you, they are no threat to us.”

  “I’m not talking about them. I mean the others. You know.” Mason searched his face for a moment, then he sighed and grinned.

  “Bastion,” Mason scoffed. “You’re talking about him, aren’t you?”

  “The boy is talented,” Zain smiled. “Talented enough to take out every one of you here I would say.
And let’s not even mention Catherine and her merry band. Just think about what she did with only herself and Seven Sages. Should she join with the Prattlians in time, she’ll have even more allies to take you down.”

  “Catherine and Bastion are a joke.”

  “Not a very funny one though,” Zain smirked. “Catherine alone was able to bring Thorn, Quietus and even this Kingdom to its very knees. Think about that.”

  “Well,” Mason said, with no expression on his face. “That’s not saying much.”

  He sliced his blade across Zain’s neck.

  Chapter 7 – Counter Measures

  “We’re falling fast,” Catherine said. Marie and Talia looked at her as she stared out over the wasteland. They had been standing still for hours, but they were certain Daisy would be coming. They had to have faith. It was all they had these days.

  “What do you mean?” Marie said, fanning her face. Used to colder temperatures, the wasteland was making her hotter than the others. She was grateful that it wasn’t a desert though. If there had been sand all around her, reflecting the rays of the sun, it would have been downright unbearable.

  “Think of how many there are left,” Catherine replied. “That doesn’t bother you?”

  “It’s not like we chose this adventure,” Marie said. She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Is there any water left?”

  “Nope,” Talia said, looking through the pockets in her cloak. “We’re supposed to be leaving soon though, so I’m sure we’ll find water quickly.”

  “We can’t lose anyone else,” Catherine said. Marie looked at her in puzzlement.

  “But you will have to if it’s necessary.”

  “How can you sound so cold?” Catherine asked her in disbelief.

  “Because it’s how we Prattlians think. We see the bigger picture. The fact is, all that we lost was necessary for our survival. If we had stayed and fought Thorn years ago, we would all be dead right now. At least we still have hope. Who knows what answers we will get from the Yama homeland?”

  “Still doesn’t sit well with me.”