by C C Morgen
“Taste—you’re starting to sound like a Demon with those words.” Angelica gently kissed my lips. “What do I taste like?”
I laid on my side. “Like the sweet wine I used to drink when I was back home with my family. You tasted like home.”
“Sweet like wine—hmm. No one has ever told me what I tasted like. I’m surprised that I remind you of home. You must miss it if you thought of it.”
“Sometimes I do,” I answered. “At times I can imagine myself on the beach, listening to the waves roll over the sand. It was peaceful. There was nothing to worry about back then, sitting in the cove, watching the sunset. The colors are more vibrant in the sky where I come from. The breeze that blew from the north was refreshing on a hot summer’s day.”
“Sounds like a delightful place—I wish I could live in a world like that. Free from obligations and just be me. I love peaceful moments to myself; however, I wouldn’t mind you being with me. You and I appreciate the silence once in a while and time to ourselves.”
“I actually feel great right now,” I blurted out in a moment of content. “I almost forgot we are in battle and there’s over a thousand horde waiting outside for us.”
“It’s actually getting close to nightfall,” Angelica sat up and stretched out her arms. “I can feel the restrictions on my body releasing and my true strength is awakening. Castilian will be at his full strength as well.”
“There’s nothing much we can do if he awakens his power remember. He will summon the fire to burn us all alive.”
“Does that mean we should wait in here until that happens?” She turned to look at me. “Do you really want to die in that way? Here—helpless with me.”
“What do you think we should do? I don’t know what else we can do except fight until we die. We leave this chamber that will most likely happen.”
“Fight with Valora this time.”
“I can’t,” I turned away.
“Why not?” She asked. “I’ve seen how you wield her.”
“I’m afraid to use her.” I sat up, feeling the high disappear.
“Why?”
“Because…” I thought about my father back when he practiced with the sword. “Every time I fight with her I remember my father more vividly. His memories… His soul flows through me when I hold it.” I glanced at Valora next to the rest of my gear. “Sometimes I can even hear his voice speaking out to me. I don’t know if it’s real or not. It just hurts the longer I hold on.”
“Valora is a magical weapon. To be blessed with the skills of its predecessor is a remarkable gift.” Angelica moved off the table and walked towards my things. She picked up Valora and brought her over to me. “This sword has chosen you. Magical items like these don’t just work for anyone. She knows your pain, but still tries to be at its strongest when you resist.” She unsheathed the sword and laid it in my hand. The blade shimmered before my eyes the moment I touched the grip. “She recognizes you. With the amount of extra energy, you absorbed as a Succubus, you can use her at your will if you let it. She will lead you to victory or your death. Either way, you vowed to protect me. How can you do that when you haven’t accepted the full power given to you?”
I gripped hard, feeling the essence of my ancestors flowing into me. The memories of their battles rushed in at once until I could see my father in a field of snow watching the sunset. He smiled at me, which gave me an overwhelming feeling of serenity. The memories of his happiest moments was with me, embedded in the blade.
“Get dressed.” I heaved a sigh as my body automatically moved to my armor laying on the floor. “The sun should have disappeared by now.”
Angelica raced to get dressed, buckling in her belt of daggers and vest. “I can feel my powers have fully awakened. And I can sense him nearby.”
“We need to hurry then.” I dressed back into my armor, buttoning up and tying up my slacks, but I left my hood down, not wanting it to distract me. My bow, quiver and Elven sword against the wall, I picked them up and handed it to Angelica. “I want you to use this. Enchant all the arrows and don’t hold back. My other sword is a lot better than that dagger.”
She looked baffled at me while taking them. “Don’t you need this?”
“I only need Valora—anything else will hold me back,” I answered. “When we go out there. I need you to get a clear view of the bridges. Can you create a barrier to block the sides?”
“Yes, I can—why?”
“I need the horde to only have one direction of attack. That’s all I need—a straight-a-way. The rest leave up to me.”
Angelica laid her forehead on mine and exhaled. “This is it, isn’t it?”
“May the ninth heavens bless us.” Was my final word before I kissed her sweet lips, then walked over to the iron door still barricaded and undented by the Ghouls? I removed the bars and inhaled deeply before walking out into the dark corridor. The red light of the fiery lava ahead guided my way as Valora vibrated in my hand, ringing louder and louder to my will. She glowed bright blue and red simultaneously on the engravings of the blade. The surrounding structure began to rumble to the force of my sword radiating its power. It was time to battle, the voice of the sword resonated with my soul.
I walked out onto the bridge and Angelica positioned behind me, creating a massive wall barrier that glowed bright red lines, streaking across the obsidian walls, and high up into the sky. The ground rumbled as the horde of Ghoul stampeded our way.
The men ran out from the other end yelling my name as they saw me strolling towards the horde, fearlessly, just merely holding my sword, ambling as they raced closer, and closer. Eric and the others ran around the balconies to get on the bridge. In addition, within that moment, I sprinted at the Ghoul in the straight-a-way and leaped high into the air, slamming Valora into the ground as hard as I could. A massive shockwave exploded from the sword, knocking back my enemy and sent them flying over the bridge into the sea of fire. Their bodies exploding to ash in the heat of the flames before being engulfed by the molten flow of lava.
The rest raced passed the flying bodies and charged at me, reaching out with their claws and sharp teeth. I swung my sword, cutting through them in an instant, their bodies bursting into gray powder around me. I glided in the air cutting down any Ghoul in my way. The men rushed passed me with their shields and blocked the horde from rushing us, lifting them upward and throwing them over.
In a quick motion Romulus, Ethos, Leonidas, and Achilles barricaded in front of me as I leaped over them slamming my sword on the ground, creating another shock wave, knocking back the Ghoul. They rushed forward again, blocking them like a wall and spearing them. Each time we pushed forward, decreasing the gap between us and the large podium ahead, where we saw the Demon lord Castilian of this castle reveal himself. His eyes flaming like the fire that set into blaze around him. His skin completely black, with cracks that burned bright orange around his body. His hair, shifting as black smoke with dark particles floated around him, and wearing a black metal armor that stood out to my eyes as being ready for battle.
The horde kept charging at us at full strength, trying to get through the barriers Angelica held in place and at the same time she shot arrows on the side bridges, engulfing the creatures in dragon flames. The flames covered a wide-spread area with her barrier following us across the seas of fire. Castilian stood in the distance, laughing at our efforts to get to him as the beasts overwhelmed us head on. I glance back to see Angelica still holding strong and putting her all into the fight.
Valora vibrated more powerful the longer we fought, until suddenly, the flames began to rise out of the sea, circulating around the Demon. “Ali,” Angelica shouted out to me. Her voice carried fear as I turned to look at her in the heat of battle. “He’s summoning the fire.” I knew then our efforts were meaningless if he fully manifested the power to annihilate us.
“ALI.” Eric caught my attention as he axed down a Ghoul flying to get to us. “GO.” He yelled, knowing I was the fa
stest in the group to make it to the lord. “STOP HIM.”
I leaped over the men, sent another shock wave down the bridge, and then sprinted as fast as my legs could run. Angelica screamed out to me, “DON’T.” Although, the terror in her voice didn’t seize my body from trying to stop him. Castilian needed to be defeated before it was too late.
I avoided the Ghoul, trying to tackle me down. Their long arms reached out as my blade cut through them and all that blocked my way. The podium was close within my grasp as the fire burned hotter, getting near the tall structure. The flames grew larger with every second and my legs jumped into midair until I reached the wall; then scaled it quickly, making it to the top. Without hesitation, I charged Castilian with his black steel sword in hand and collided with his blade, sending a shockwave that knocked us both back.
My attack stopped him from summoning the flames long enough to rush at him once again. My sword radiating red as his sword ignited on fire, swinging it at me. I dodged the flames, feeling the heat on my skin. It burned, yet I didn’t care. My blade struck his and in the heat of the moment, Valora sent out another pulse knocking us both back. My feet slid on the sleek surface where I knelt down to keep my balance until I could regain my fighting stance.
Without a second of rest, I charged at him once again. The cracks on his skin burned brighter until all of a sudden, he burst a flame wall against me. I used Valora to send out another shockwave. The two forces exploded in front of us, sending me flying backwards until I landed on my back, sliding across to the edge. Before falling over, Angelica’s hand grabbed me out of nowhere and pulled me back over.
“Ali.” I could see her face and the fear in her eyes. Her voice faded in an out to the ringing in my ears. The explosion had scattered my senses, rendering me unfocused, and I couldn’t stand without falling back to my knees. I was useless kneeling before Angelica, unable to hear what she was saying as her lips moved. My eyes shifted on the lord yet again behind her and I watched him continue to summon the fire.
Flames circulated around him, creating a barrier that reached high into the clouds, forming a hole that swirled like a spiral. Soon enough the heat became unbearable for me even to handle. Sweat dripped from my forehead and I panted in pain, coughing blood from my mouth into my hand. The crimson color flowed, and my hearing began to come back to hear Angelica speak.
“Ali get out of here,” I watched her get up and run towards the fire and created a barrier around the flames that expanded wider, the more it manifested around Castilian. “Run.” She yelled back at me in agony. The flames were burning hotter than before and was seeping through the protection she tried to strengthen.
I was still disoriented, watching her risk her life to protect me. It was supposed to be the other way around with my vow to her. I gritted my teeth and gripped Valora in anger, until my knuckles cracked. The blade began to radiate a bright serene white as my will grew stronger. Angelica needs me, but my strength alone is not enough. All of my memories of our time together rushed in at once like someone about to meet their death.
My hand throbbed squeezing onto Valora so tight. I whispered faintly into the wind that swept over the castle. “What do I do now?” Suddenly, I heard footsteps walking towards me. It was the sound of boots that seemed familiar. I looked up, weakened, to see my father before my eyes. His hair was long black silk as I remembered, swaying to the side from the roaring winds. He had on his black Elven armor from that last day of seeing him alive. Silver chains latching down his vest jingled and glimmered in the fire's light. His leather clean and polished as he kneeled down to meet my face. His eyes golden like mine, shimmering with the life I’ve missed the most. He was truly my father.
Tears ran down my face, unable to control the swell of happiness and sadness that came from my heart. “Father.”
“Dear Ali. Why are you so angry?” My father’s gentle voice resonated in my ears as if he was there.
“I—I’m not strong enough. Father—I’ve lost this battle. I couldn’t uphold my vow.”
“You haven’t lost yet. My sword still has a fight left in her.”
“I’m not as strong as you.”
“You are strong. You have always been strong since the day you were born into this world. I’m so proud of you. You have made it this far. Don’t give up.”
“I miss you so much. The pain never goes away. I still remember it like it was yesterday the day they took you away from me.”
“I’ve always been beside you. Watching over you and your mother. You two were the joys of my life.” He touched the grip of the sword. “Let me help you. But to do that, stop resisting. Let go. The power of the sword will guide you. It wasn’t always just I that won a fierce battle. It was the strength of my fathers before me. I never resisted. Pain never held me back from what I desired to protect. This sword is one of a kind. You are one of a kind. The strength you have is more than worthy of my praise.” His warm hand envelop mine. “Let go for now and let’s not waste the gift the Ocean Goddess has given us.”
We both stood to our feet and raised the sword between us, gazing into each other’s eyes. The sword vibrated once again, radiating a white light from the engravings in the blade. I laid the edge on my forehead and breathed deeply with my eyes focused on my father. His body combusted and his spirit absorbed into my skin, connecting with the essence of my soul.
We are now one, Valora. Lead us to Victory.
CHAPTER 22
Angelica
THE FORCE OF THE SWIRLING FIRE, pushing against the barrier was stronger than I ever imagined from an older lord. With the force of the flames growing stronger, it was too late for me at this point to escape. His power was above mine in the struggle to keep the flames contained within the platform. The only thing I’d hope for is Ali’s escape. She nearly died trying to hold him back long enough for me to fight. This was all I can do for the men that fought so diligently against the horde in attempts to keep them away from the podium. Ali please leave as soon as you can.
All of a sudden, in the corner of my eye I saw her walking towards the barrier. The very thing I fear was happening; although, there was something off about the sound of her walk. Her boots stumped a certain way that didn’t sound like her. It had a confidence that wasn’t there before. The blade of Valora scrapped on the ground, glowing a white light. She held the tip low to the ground, walking by with a look in her eye, focused on the foe in front of us. She was calm and her stance was loose unlike her usual composure, handling a weapon.
“Ali.” I called out to stop her from going forth. However, she didn’t look at me. She ignored my worries and kept going towards the barrier.
Then for a split second, I saw someone else. A male Dark Elf with long pointed ears and pale skin. His hair long, shining like black silk, whipping in the wind. “Who are you?” I uttered softly as if my eyes were playing a trick. He disappeared, and it was Ali again, stepping through the barrier, and the magic not stopping her from entering the chaos. Valora glowed brighter going into the flames that didn’t seem to harm her at all. The power alone should have disintegrated her body in an instant, but it didn’t. What was going on?
I shouted her name once again, but she didn’t even look back. She raised her sword, which started to ring loudly as the white light began to overwhelm the surroundings. I could feel in my bones how much magic radiated from Valora within the circle. It pressed against my barrier stronger than the fire, making me use all my energy to keep it contained.
Then without warning, Ali charged at Castilian at full force. The blades of their swords collided, creating an explosion of white light that stung my eyes from being so bright. I shut my eyelids to not go blind by the intensity of the magic radiating like the sun.
I peeked them open to see her, still alive and fighting sword on sword. She moved quicker than ever before. Her movements were different like they were not her own. She held her sword with more ease and the strength of her aura was as bright as the white light tha
t radiated from the blade. She was avoiding the attacks of Castilian like how she did before. He lunged at her, desperately trying to fight her off. His sword clanged against Valora and it each time exploded back from the light.
Ali moved quicker and quicker, slicing in the gaps of his armor and pushing him back with her sword. The magic she used was so powerful, it weakened the barrier and I struggled to keep it up to protect everything outside from the blast. Just before the barrier was about the break, there was a green light that came from the north. It surrounded the swirl of fire and reinforced the barrier until it was strong again to withstand the blast. I tried to look toward the magic being used, but I couldn’t see who it was that was aiding us. I thought we were alone in this death trap.
Another blast came from within the barrier that forced my attention back on the fight. I continued to watch Ali in battle and actually holding her ground. Her sword knocked him back, until he fell hard to the ground, groaning in pain. Then swiftly without hesitation, she leaped into the air and swung down the blade of Valora. It aimed at the neck and chopped his head off in one fail swoop. The blade went through his bone like butter, and his head rolled away from his body.
The ground shook to his death with the floor rumbling at my feet. Suddenly, the wall of fire exploded upward, shattering the barrier from the immense force. The wave was so strong it knock me backwards, off my feet. The burning flames dissipated into the air and the clouds in the sky stopped swirling.
There was a sudden silence as I watched Ali drop to her knees leaning on Valora, mounted in the ground. She held onto the grip and laid her forehead on the pommel with her eyes closed, breathing heavily with exhaustion.
Castilian’s body on the platform shattered like glass and turned to dust and was carried away in the winds that blew from the north. Afterwards, there was nothing left of our defeated enemy. Then I remember the men. I crawled to the edge and Ali stood to her feet once again to walk over as well. We watched the horde of Ghoul retreat in the distance, stampeding passed everyone and out of the castle.
