A Time for Revenge

Time crawled by as if it did not exist, yet it swept by as if it was eager to end the day. Mach sat astride his companion and ally. Stalker was just as eager to begin this battle as he was. Those Mages who were skilled with weaponry skills had been granted permission by Stalkers people to ride astride them during the duration of this battle. They were all ready for what was to come, no matter the outcome.

There was a feeling in the air, an energy that transcended anything that he knew of magic and Power. It felt like the raw Power of lightning before a strike and yet, it was also indescribable at the same time. In one moment, fear gripped him and tore away at his insides, the kind of complete terror that came deep within as if you were standing in the middle of a forest with flames all around, blazing towards you and you knew there was nothing that you could do to escape it. Then came the other fear, the fear that came from the unknown, the terror of the complete darkness, of being stalked by an unknown terror, the unseen creatures of the night. Not knowing when the final strike will come to claim your life. But it was that feeling that would fuel his blade as he ventured forward to hunt down the man who had taken everything from him.

Stalker clawed at the ground in his agitation over the wait, tearing gashes into the ground in his anxiety. The suns were beginning their rise into the mid day position. He had been hoping that Rubious would make the first move, marching his army across the field toward them instead of Mach needing to waste the energy of his men. But so far the two armies have stood staring at each other over the open field and it was nerve racking. This was not a tactic that he would have thought that Rubious would do. This is so unlike him, what is he waiting for?

A roar of challenge came from across the field followed by more roars, all echoing from the enemy ranks. The Dragons from the allied forces returned the challenge with their own calls and Mach wondered how they must feel right now, fighting against Dragons from the past, some that they may have known at one point. Considering how long lived Dragons were, it could very well be that there were Dragons over there that were old friends or family members that they would have to fight against. The depredations that Rubious had performed knew no bounds. That very thought only served to fuel Mach’s rage and through him, Stalker’s. He hid nothing from his companion. Ever since learning how to speak openly mind to mind with Miatsu over a year ago, he allowed Stalker access to his thoughts and did his best to visualize everything as naturally as he could.

The Dragons in Rubious’ army took to the air, circling their comrades in preparation for the battle. Riect gave out a war cry and took to the air, followed closely by the others, only there was a difference. The alliance between comrades had grown mighty. Select Hermans and Knights of Sedan were astride the backs of the stronger Dragons. They were the Dragon Riders who would protect their allies as well as fight by their sides.

This is it! A distant shout warmed him of the coming attack. A cloud of black came from the enemy ranks, a thick wall of steel and wood shadowed the ground from the sun’s rays. “Mages!” Time to find out if those crystals work!

He could feel the rise and fall of energies as shields were built and the snapping of Power as crystals were shattered in the process of erecting the magics that were brought forth. Light flared in front of them as the arrows began to hit the barriers. Flashes of flame and lightning flared, burning and deflecting the arrows as they made contact.

“Heads Up!” He called out in warning as a few of the arrows broke through. He pulled the King’s Blade from his side and slashed at an arrow that was about to hit Stalker in the neck. Several others deflected the attack in their own ways. There were no screams of pain that he could hear, he could only pray that no one had fallen in death due to an arrow.

They had survived the first move. Mendoll suggested using the tactics often used in a game known as chess. Wait and see what the opponent will do before reacting. Wait for the enemy to waste their moves so that in the end, you still have most of your moves left and can then overwhelm your opponent’s defenses.

A puff of smoke erupted from the other side of the field and an explosion a few dozen feet from Stalker. More puffs of smoke rose up from the other side with the echo of the first finally reaching his ears. “WATCH IT!”

A burst of energy snapped up directly in front of him as fire exploded feet from his head. Mendoll stood feet from him, his hands extended toward where the explosion had been. That had nearly been a direct hit! The bastard is aiming for me!

“The son of a BITCH!” Bastra roared in a rage that was beyond his normal attitude. Another explosion erupted feet from Mach, stopped only by the combined abilities of three of the Mages near him. “He is aiming directly for him! I am going to KILL HIM!” Without waiting for another word, Bastra took to the air and joined the Dragons who were waiting for their orders. Mimicking his actions, the Gargoyles that had joined the fight took to the air, circling the army as the Dragons were.

Mach could feel the rage emanating from his friend. Not yet old friend. Just wait! “Archers!” He raised his hand and lifted a finger. Instantly he felt the rise of Power as another explosion struck near him. Fires were spreading out in front of him now as the failed explosions were burning away the grass outside the protections that were being cast to defend him. He lifted a second finger and with it he heard the twang of the bows and his own cloud of arrows shot through the skies.

With the magic of the Mages behind them, the arrows flew true and right through the distance finding their marks. Bodies fell to the ground in an instant. Some rose back to their feet, others remained on the ground. Proof that the enemy was not invincible. Cheers exploded as one of the men yelled out that very fact with comments on how they all had a chance, the proof was in front of them on the ground.

He raised his hand again and sent another volley of arrows, crossing the path of a volley from Rubious’ archers. Once again he felt the rise of energies as the Mages reinforced the shields that had been weakened and through the flares of light that ensued, Mach was able to make out the fallen bodies that did not rise after being struck down. Although the fact they were still outnumbered left them at a disadvantage, the fact that the men were witnessing the enemy fall to a simple attack like arrows, fueled their moral and strength. An explosion erupted near the barrier, fire burning everything around it. In less than a breaths time a second explosion erupted within the ranks of soldiers. Screams of pain echoed over the fading boom of the explosion. He made it through! How did he make it through!

“He is concentrating his attacks.” Rajat answered Mach’s unasked question, anger rising in the Guardians voice. “He knows enough about your magic to know that it can’t hold up to concentrated attacks. If he has enough of those things he can pick off your ranks from a distance and unless you know exactly where he is going to aim, you won’t be able to increase the strength without burning out your Mages Power and depleting your defenses completely.”

“We have no choice, King Derune.” Gabriel Banvard yelled out over the heads of his fighters, riding toward him at full gallop. “We must take the fight to him! He is going to pick us off if we stay here! He knows how to get through those barriers!”

“We need to take the fight to him!” Panamy’s voice echoed Gabriel’s words as it came from the other end of the field.

This is it! “Warriors of the Empire Seas! For it all, we gladly sacrifice. With it all, we proudly defend.” He screamed out the words and heard it echoed down the line as voice after voice repeated his words. He raised the King’s Blade above his head, allowing it to shine in the sunlight above for a moment before bringing it forward.

More explosions erupted along the lines of the army, most were deflected before they struck. But as screams of pain issued over the stomping of feet he knew that there were some getting through. Dragons from Rubious side dived towards the army, death from above only to be intercepted. A spear pierced the head of a Dragon that had been diving toward Mach, a moment later the Dragon fell to the ground where Bastra landed a moment later with a roar of defiance, a blood lust rage in his demeanor. A moment later the Gargoyle was back in the air, a stream of blood falling from his spear.

Above them, the fight had already started as Dragon fought Dragon. Hermans helping where they could, Mach witnessed a feat of their might and willingness to go to any length to help a comrade as two of the Hermans worked together to throw a third, lighter Herman into the flight path of one of Rubious’ Dragons who had been tailing an ally. The force of the collision brought the enemy down in a shower of blood as the Herman bashed and hacked away with his axe.

Flames erupted as the Dragons began to fight back with every weapon they had, forcing the hands of the Mages to retaliate with their own. It had been something that he had been hoping to avoid for fear of hitting an ally in the process.

He pulled Power and readied his mind for what was to come as they neared the enemy lines. Fifty yards! Power exploded from every side of him, the warriors of the Vladiutsh took their forms, and beasts of every shape and form were now taking the charge. Forty yards! Those on horse and riding the Lizard companions sped their charge. Twenty yards! Another spike of Power exploded, this one Mach recognized as Miatsu’s. What could only be described as a trio of Demons twenty feet tall, manifested in front of him, charging the enemy, swords as long as themselves and as wide as a Human was tall swinging with deadly force. The enemy began charging at them, they in turn increased their own speed. Ten yards! Cries of pain as the first injured made contact with each other. Five yards! The battle would begin!

The clash of steel on steel echoed loudly, ringing in his ears as the two armies collided. The armor of Rubious’ army was strong, but not strong enough. He leapt off of his companion and together they began their own attack.

His blade slid into the metal of the armor like hot steel through flesh. He ducked a strike from behind, swinging upward to block the hit. A moment later the body of his attacker was carried off, blood streaming down the length of the body. Bastra had impaled him. He watched as the Gargoyle threw the body toward where Rubious was.

Lightning struck behind him, snapping him out of his thoughts. The body of another enemy fell to the ground, the face burnt down to the bone. He ducked the strike of another, Stalker took the initiative and snapped the soldiers head off in a single bite. He lunged underneath his companion and slashed, cutting down one that had been about to strike one of his men from behind. “Stalker! Launch!” He yelled out, leaping at his companion’s thick tail. This was a move they had perfected over the last few months. Pouring Power throughout his body, he landed on the length of Stalker’s tail and waited only a moment for his comrade to do his part.

With a flick of his tail, Mach was launched outward right where Mach had aimed himself. Slashing and striking as he passed, he timed every hit with fatal precision. Sliding along the ground, he came up from the ground face to face with a club.

The blow sent him backwards, back pedaling as he attempted to keep his balance. Pain shot through his spine as another blow struck him in the back. His head swam in the pain as he gathered his wits. His eyes cleared enough to see, running ahead he launched himself behind a group that had surrounded a number of his men. With Stalker following his movements on the other side of the group, the two slashed with steel and claw, struck with fist and arm, distracting the enemy enough to allow a change in the balance in the fight. With renewed hope, the men and women who had been pinned regained their advantage and pressed through.

A roar of challenge came from above, Mach looked above him in time to see a Dragon he had never seen before diving right for him, a feral grin of satisfaction on its face. Time felt like it slowed as he watched it come right at him, the red glow of fire building in its mouth. No matter how fast he was, he would not be able to move out of the way to avoid this, nor could he save the men that were with him!

Just as the flames began to fall from the mouth of the enemy, Rajat spun around him, his own roar of challenge issuing from his Human mouth. Jabbing his spear upward with enough force that the loose earth around him was pulled upward with it, flames erupted and shot out at the Dragon that was falling toward them. Miatsu was beside them a moment later and with a snap of Power, a massive snake made of pure fire appeared, slithering into the flames and riding the fire pyre upward. Within moments the Dragon was engulfed with fire and falling to the ground, writhing in pain as the fire snake coiled itself around it, crushing the Dragon beneath its fiery coils. A loud audible crunch echoed over the sounds of battle as it crashed into the ground, the bones of the Dragon snapped and it stopped moving. Without so much as a glance backward, the two moved on together, the snake of fire vanishing in a puff of smoke, the two working as a team to take out groups of soldiers where they could find them.

Their effort revitalized his strength and his belief in their chances. He looked at his companion and nodded. Stalker charged toward him as he leapt into the air. Landing on Stalker’s back, they rejoined the fight.

An explosion of fire erupted ahead of him, engulfing several square feet and throwing numerous bodies from the fiery globe. He rushed to the site, slashing and crushing black armored soldiers where he could along the way. The fires of the explosion had mostly died out, black smoke rising up from the burnt ground. He leapt from Stalker’s back and ran to the center of the ring of smoke.

“My Lord.” The wheezy voice came from a blackened body that was still smoldering. Beside him was another, both bodies where men that he knew, tears burning through his eyes at the sight. Scattered around them were a dozen other men, men that he could not recognize.

“Joshua, it’s ok, we can fix this. We can get…” he started to say, but with a raise of the others hand he stopped speaking, tears already falling heavy down his face.

“Don’t do it, son.” George’s voice was still strong, as it always was. “We…Ughh…knew what we were doi…doing when we used those crystals…” The Blacksmith’s breathing was quickening with every word.

“Don’t talk like that!” Mach screamed. “We have enough healers, we can get you out of here, we just need to…”

George reached out and grabbed his arm, the strength that was there was fleeting, but it was enough to hold Mach in place and stop his words. “You just… just need to find Rubious… end this! End him!

“But, you can’t leave, you can’t leave me!” He wailed. “Healer, I need a Healer NOW!”

“No boy,” George, ordered. “We don’t need any damned Healer, you need to…” an explosion erupted between Joshua and George. He watched it as if time had slowed to a crawl. He threw everything he could up, but not nearly quick enough.

He hit the ground rolling, everything spun and he had no idea where up or down was. His ears rang horribly. He could not see, despite knowing that his eyes were open. It felt as if his lungs had been burnt, he could not breathe and no words would come from his lips, not even the cry of agony that he so desperately wanted to release. His skin felt as if a thousand knives had sliced him down to the bone. He could still move, though only barely. Sudden pain shot through the whole of his body followed by the slow spreading of warmth and an ease to that pain.

Slowly his sight returned. Kneeling beside him was Ivan and two other of the Healers who had come with them. He saw their mouths moving but all he heard was the continued high pitched tone. He shook his head as disorientation swept over him. His stomach lurched and he leaned over away from the three and threw up on the grass. As if that had been the cause of his ailments the roar of the battle swallowed him.

“Sire, can you hear me!” Ivan yelled, fear was thick in his voice.

“Yes, I can now. I am ok now, get to someone else.” He answered quickly.

“Sire, Rubious has entered the battle.” Ivan yelled.

He stopped moving and stared at the three of them, his tears flowing down his face. There was more fear in their words than there should have been. That could only mean one thing. Rubious was more dangerous than what they had thought. Fires were burning all around, the smoke rising upward, blocking out parts of the sky already. The three suns were nearing their zenith. He closed his eyes and focused his mind. His dreams were coming to pass, but they were all dreams of possibilities. Not truths. “Which way was he last?” He demanded, opening his eyes to them.

Ivan pointed and Mach rose to his feet, pulling his blade with him. Rushing in the direction of his enemy, running through smoke and haze, he kept his senses as open as he could as he darted through the smoke to a sight that left him in a daze.

Bastra lay on the ground, blood running down his side from a wound that was just below his wings. He could not see any movement from his friend, not even the rise and fall of breathing. A gust of wind moved a column of smoke to reveal Mendoll laying on the ground, blood staining his hair from a head wound. He too lay as motionless as a stone. This seemed all too familiar to him.

“So, we finally meet again, boy.” Rubious’ voice echoed around him, but there was no sign of where he was. With all the smoke and haze that was around, so many bodies still fighting each other, he could be anywhere.

“Rubious!” He screamed into the smoke, his anger beginning to get the better of him. “Face me you coward!”

From out of the smoke, the form of his hated enemy stepped out of the shadows. His black hair flowed in the breeze, his red eyes glared over the distance between them. “So, the child has decided to fight.”

Mach stared at Rubious, all the rage that he had thought he had overcome ignited within him. He shook with anger as he stared at the beast before him. This was the moment that he had been waiting for. This was the moment that he had dreamed about for months. Now is the time for his vengeance. He would not fail.