3.3.19.3. Merida Marination - Part Two

Res'marth the Water Elf, Queen of Water Elves, Nagas and Merfolk in Lake Ovalna, Merida - Regia Confederation. Reached Immortality as Naga Goddess after her death.

Meanwhile, the undead is camping – or rather, infesting – the town of Ludl. It looks like a ghost town now, with the air reeks of death, decay and filth.

            One of the Dark Generals, the black hooded lich roams around limply and slowly like a rickety old fellow with the Viper Cane as a walking stick. No one can guess her mood behind her simple white masque, but her behavior shows that she has never been in a good mood, at least lately.

            A winged, single-horned and green-skinned demonic general comes and kneels before the lich, reporting, ‘News from the front, Milady. The shades*) have spotted suspicious activities on the plateau near the lake.’

            The lich responds with an eerie, deathly voice, ‘Reeeallyy?? What activitiesss are thatt?’

(* Shades = Ghosts or wraiths that can render themselves invisible, possessing no fighting power and serve as spies. Those who can detect auras can detect them, though.

            ‘A lot of people are making things with logs and ropes. Judging from their looks, they must be the Allied Forces.’

            ‘What thingsss??’

            ‘According to the shades, it’s some kind of fence. Maybe they’re going to make a camp on that plateau.’

            ‘I don’t assksss for ‘maybeee’! Just tell meee what they ssseee!!!’

            ‘Uh, my apologies, Milady. The spies went back just as they spotted the enemies, and they saw nothing else significant.’

            ‘Veeryy welll, theen. Sso, what about the reinforcementssss? Any newss?’

            ‘No, Milady. There hasn’t any message from Kraal’Thragon and Castoria. I don’t think they’re going to move anytime soon.’

            Hearing that, the lich suddenly grabs the demon by his throat, yelling, ‘For the last timeee, I want you to REPORT, not to theeeenk, suggeest or eveen maybeesss. One more timee, and I’ll crussshh your throat sso you won’t be able to utter anotherr nonseense, you hearrr?’

            ‘Y-yes, Milady, yes, I – I hear! I hear!’ Against his natur, the demon whimpers.

            ‘Any mooree information?’

            ‘No, Milady.’

            ‘Veeery welll.... Now you teeelll all generalsss and troopsss to leave the city! We’ll go to the plateau and strike the Alliance hard before they…’

            BBBRUMMLLL….!!!

            Comes the sound of rumbling water.

            What, now? Oh, I see! The Alliance has been working for some time and calculated the time before the shades know what happened, came all the way here and relayed the report to the General.

            I knew it, we should’ve occupied Icothl too, not Ludl only. Now the only thing we can do is…

            ‘GET OUT OF HERE!! NOW!! Go South! Get to the higher ground!’

            No matter how frequent she shouts, it’s still hard for the lich to direct all undead, mindless, and beast-minded minions. They tend to get panicked and scatter everywhere at the sign of danger. Only the demons, headless-men and the like with intelligence follow the leaders to safety.

            The water comes like a tidal wave. BBRUSSSHH!!! Sweeping the things and beings on its way. Even the river that runs outside Ludl can’t contain water that plentiful, and the flood rises in the city until it reaches neck-height of average grown-up men.

            And the surprises don’t end there. From the North comes the Allied Forces, sliding so swiftly downhill with their rafts.

            ‘Down with the Dark!’ Their war cries strike more panic into the already confused brutes. To complete the mayhem, the griffin riders led by Cristophe sweep down and sweep through the enemies like Wind Shear (also known as Kamaitachi in Shima Empire).

            Seeing that, the lich who stands on the tallest building on the south end of town clenches her fist in disappointment.

            Damn those Alliance scums! I’ve figured out their tactic, but they outsmarted me by acting so quickly before I can avoid it! Now I’ll show them my OWN tactic, taking out a Paladin or two like crushing a snake on its heads, thus crushing their morale!

            Suddenly, a voice startles her,

            ‘Zal’fira.’

            The lich turns everywhere, looking for the speaker.

            ‘Wwhoo’sss thereee? Show yoursselfff!!’

            ‘I’m here,’ says a woman who now stands on the same building. It’s Carolyn the pink-haired sorceress, ready with her magic trident Esthagar, Aegis the thunder bird flying behind her. ‘It’s no use hiding behind your mask, witch. I already recognized you from the style of your clothing, Omegron, Viper Cane and the way you used it to manipulate minds and kill my friend’s husband, Galvanir.’

            ‘Oh, the foolish elf who danceeed likee a marionetteee before his insideees were torn apart? Thaat wass quite a successsfulll tesst for my new spelll, Soul Marionation. Quite interesting, you play with it and tear it down after you’re done. Perhappsss you want to try BEING oneee?? An Marionato’me Tyral!’

            The look on Carolyn’s face changes like a lightning just struck her. Zal’fira’s fingers play like a puppeteer; Carol’s arms move… and she breaks herself free from the spell!’

            ‘HEEAAAHHH!!’

            Zal’fira is taken aback, ‘WHAT?? It’s imposssibbleee!! I’ve designeed it so even theee Nervatr spell cannot repel it!’

            ‘You see, witch,’ Carol responds calmly. ‘Everything is not always what you see or think. The Nervatr Mind Shield on me has worn off quite some time, and in me now lays a power you cannot comprehend. It’s empowering my mind and my heart, a true magic that protects me from all harm.’

            ‘What iss that power do you speak of? I can’t understand it unless you tell mee.’

            ‘Now, now. I’d be a fool if I tell you, but I’ll fill you in with a clue: If you had this power a long time ago, you wouldn’t become a necromancess and a half-life lich, a cursed being like you are now. This is the power only those who walk in the light can have, and you are just too late for that. So, just forget about it and continue our fight! Pyroagnios!’

            ‘An Nekraal’me Fyasch!’

            Now Carolyn’s Fireblast is met with Zal’fira’s Dark Disintegration blast in a re-enactment of their impending duel in Mount Hvalgarr *). The difference is, Carolyn is a stronger person now, not depending on Aegis, her guardian spirit and her long-lost lucky charm necklace. Her opponent, Zal’fira is now a lich, more powerful yet more vulnerable in her accursed half-life as an undead. No longer can she feel love, the truly most powerful source of strength and protection of the Light Side.

            As the pressure goes on and on, it’s hard to know who’s the stronger one, until at one time one of them can’t endure her spell any longer: It’s Carolyn!

            Zal’fira uses this momentum to add pressure on her spell, and KA-BLAAM!! The two powers explode on impact point. Carol, the nearest to that point gets the full blow and is thrown back quite a distance. The lich withdraws her spell and stands with her face looking up and her hands stretching open, signifying victory.

(* See Book Two, Chapter Eight: Magicians and Dragons

3.3.19.3. Merida Marination - Part One

 

Lake-Forest City of Ludl, Merida

3.3.19.3. Merida Marination

            ‘Commander, is it right for us to move out without waiting for the Parthenian war machines and the Valanian mages?’ asks Ney’varíth Ushmiel the elf sorceress to Cristophe, Commander of the Allied Forces second division as they march along the main road from Arcadia to Merida.

            The latter, the red-haired man who is also known as Emperor Sage the Fifth of Arcadia and Vadis’ Heir answers, ‘Rael’charon’s instruction stated specifically that we must move at once to liberate Merida, and the Parthenians and Valanians will meet up with us en-route. That’s why your brother went to Valanis and sent Ivor Bigstumble to Parthenia to make sure that those countries fulfill their part of the Crusade.’

            Carolyn Deveraux, who also joins her cousin Chris also comments, ‘Oh, great. That leaves three women and one man to lead the main force. Are you sure this is the right arrangement?’

            ‘Well, everything is in Rael’s calculation,’ Iris responds. The elf archer points at the troops and says, ‘He has already predicted enemy’s movements, so for this part we need more magic and those who are highly defensive against magic, say, the elves, griffin riders, mages and war machines.’

            Again, Carolyn speaks up, ‘Plus, I have been to Castoria and Iris and the Emperor to Merida. With our knowledge, we have formulated some tactics to avoid enemy ambushes and the best, unexpected way to defeat the enemy. In Merida, Ney is the key.’

            Her three comrades nod together in understanding.

            And then, Chris glances at the troops marching in high spirits, each of them carrying a log of wood and a rope, singing the Crusader’s song as they move along, setting his mind adrift in his memory.

            Ah, I have fond memories in Merida, diving for hours in the lake without freezing, and learned from Res’marth that again, violence is not always the answer to attain our goals. He carresses the Shield of Faith hanging on the saddle of his armored red griffin, Acavela.

            And now, I shall go and avenge her and the people of Merida so they can rest in peace.

            Chris then turns Acavela around, lifts his sword high and pulls the rein so the griffin stands on its two hind legs, and shouts with a thundering voice, ‘FOR RES’MARTH! FOR MERIDA! For all the good people who should’ve lived in peace in this world! For all that, WE’LL FIGHT! We’ll purge the scourge in this land! Yes, we’ll fight!’

            ‘HROAAAH!!! HUZZAH!! WE FIGHT!’ Come the thundering voices from the troops as answer.

==oOo==

3.3.19.2. The Reaper and the Crow - Part Two

And finally, Freidle is free once more.

‘Oi, Hernan!’ Kyflynn’s shouts from his back. ‘There’s no time to think! Let’s attack him together! It’s our chance!’

            Hernan answers with surprise, ‘But, your hands...’

            ‘I’ve got rid of the blackening with Tina’s help. Now let’s help our friends!’

            ‘Got it!’

            The fencer concentrates his aura while the Windwalker attacks with the homing-spinning thrust of Soul-Splitting Drill. The Heir just repelled Robert’s attack, turns aside and intercepts the dagger drill.

            CLANK! SCREEEECHH!!!

            The daggers hit the scythe, but the spinning doesn’t stop. Instead, its power amplifies and multiplies, with the wind element that is reserved for this moment. The pressure is so great, the Heir even concentrates all his power to repel it.

            SCREEECHHH!! SCREECHH!!

            This is our chance!

            Using that momentum, Hernan attacks! When he gets in range, his sword starts dancing as rhytmically as ever, except that this like rolling waves of the seven seas striking towards one ship, the Symphony of the Seven Seas.

            And this time, the Heir just eats the whole blow in full, sustaining the damage.

            The other Paladins also use this momentum to attack. Robert comes with the single blow of Gold Dragon Dominator from the left, while Desmond is going to apply the single blow of Megaton Impact from the right. The Heir is now agonizing from the consequences of being on the wrong side until at a point... BLAAAMMM! He explodes his aura, repelling all attacks and pushing all those pesky Paladins away. Nonetheless, that move inflicts some damage on all things in the radius of five meters.

            Hernan spits blood from his internal wound and looks at his opponent, his eyes widen with amazement. He’s so tough! Even after bearing those blows and exploding his aura, he is still standing! He’s like an angel of death himself. Oh, Vadis, I hope any of us is strong enough to finish him now, or he’ll be more impossible to kill in the future!

            Alas, all Paladins including himself are too injured to conjure a deadly blow on the Heir, all but one...

            ‘An Jokulion Aschi!’ 

            Agustina Vyrakova! She steps into the scene with the mighty guardian spirit Jokulion, the ice knight with serpent leg and readies herself to cast a top-level spell.

            ‘Hm, Jokulion, eh? Even he is no match for the Dark Overlord!’ says the Heir with a gentle voice. ‘Here’s a deadly lesson for you! An Arachus Aschi!’

            ‘GRRRWOOAAAHHH!!!!’

            The great, brutal Archdevil comes in spirit to face Jokulion, but the Heir just stands still and doesn’t prepare anything except maintaining the aura link with the summoned spirit.

            ‘Vare Jokulhaups Tyral!’

            BBRUALL!! Heaps of snow slide downwards like an Avalanche from the highest mountain in the world with a force that can freeze and destroy anything in its path – no escaping that.

            In retaliation, Arachus opens his mouth abnormally wide and ‘GRRWAAAHH!!’ He blows an equally abnormally large blast of Dark Disintegration.

            And BLAAMM!! The two forces collide. Dark and ice energy push each other. The pressure goes on and on for quite a while. Arachus, realizing that Avalanche packs a higher level of power than Dark Disintegration and he needs more power supply from the Heir, but the ‘master’ apparently has another plan.

            The Heir throws his scythe! And it goes spinning, spinning towards the target: Tina! This is bad! The Paladins are still too weak, and Tina is still concentrating on the Avalanche. Death is spinning swift, until...

            CHRAATSH!!

            Jokulion moves to the left and shields his summoner with his body! The scythe comes into a halt, nesting in the guardian spirit who just fulfilled his duty. Jokulion looks back and smiles at Tina. The sorceress’ face doesn’t show sorrow or surprise, but her eyes shine brightly with gratitude. She just stares back at Jokulion, watching as the faithful partner dissolves into the limbo.

             Jokulion’s spell also throws Arachus away and he too dissolves into the limbo, back to the Crow Scythe he resides on.

            Agustina’s mana runs out too, and she falls on her knees, exhausted. She just touches the ice crystal on her forehead where the Ice Orb is implanted, and in a rare occasion, her expression changes to worry!

             Suddenly, CLINKER! The crystal breaks, and she feels cold all over as the energy from the orb circulates all over her body, becoming one with her aura. Judging from that symptom, from now on Agusina doesn’t have to summon a guardian spirit to cast high-level ice magic now Jokulion lives inside her and merges with her completely. Tina’s magic level increases dramatically, but as she doesn’t have enough mana to cast any spell, her condition is quite fragile and defenseless.

            This is bad! Hernan thinks. Now all of us are down and the Heir is still standing?! But, wait! What’s on his body? Isn’t it... ice? He-he’s freezing! Thank goodness! I think we’ve got him at last!

            But, suddenly, to Hernan’s dismay, the ice melts! Exhausted as he is, the Heir uses the last drops of his dark energy to un-freeze himself. He mutters in a harsh voice, ‘It seems I need more coordination to my new body and skill, especially in combat. Well, this is your lucky day, Paladins as I must go now.’

            His voice turns gentle, ‘It seems my troops cannot last any longer either, thanks to those blasted chariots.’

            And he shouts, ‘Nöac! Withdraw the troops and strengthen our defenses! WE can retake Borgia again next time!’ Saying so, the Heir runs from battle.

            The Black Prince tears himself away from his ongoing duel with Adler, cursing, ‘We’ll finish this later, knave. I’ll never forget this humiliation. ALL TROOPS, FULL RETREAT!’

            But Adler doesn’t want to let him go, ‘Don’t run, you cowardly murderer! You must pay for my teacher’s blood!’

            He runs as fast as he can to catch up with his opponent, but Nöac utilizes his four spider legs to stand, spring and leap far away, and Adler can’t possibly keep up.

            Extremely upset, he bellows, ‘ALL TROOPS, FULL PURSUIT! Let none of those abominations escape!’ And all of them obey.

             And so it’s decided. The Allied Forces liberated Freidle, wiping out about seventy percent of the Dark Forces, though they can’t vanquish the Heir and the Black Prince yet.

            Dar’gum and the orcs already left Freidle for a more pressing matter: Liberating Bresconnor from the agents of Hagnorj and the Dark Forces, aiding Vincent the Raging Bull’s troops who are already there with the Resistance Forces led by Yemima Genilda.

            When all the troops are regrouped and ready, Adler instructs, ‘We have liberated Freidle in a famous victory. So, it’s time for us to go to Castoria and aid our comrades there in the Crusade. Ballax and Handelburg are easy targets for Lady Irene and Sir Mallard now, so, let’s not waste time and get going! Warriors of the Light, fulfill your destiny!’

Lady Irene of Everglades - A woman knight

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Image / Illustration Source:
Model for City of Freidle: Tyria in www.tentonhammer.com
http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/86998/page/2

Human Female Knight Concept by ~iidxgirl on deviantART  iidxgirl.deviantart.com
http://iidxgirl.deviantart.com
Author's note: Next: 3.3.19.3. Merida Marination pg 219/487

3.3.19.2. The Reaper and the Crow - Part One

The Grim Reaper a.k.a. a mysterious man with the Crow Scythe

3.3.19.2. The Reaper and the Crow

            Hernan hears it too up in the air, but his squad can’t help because the pegasus riders, along with the dragon riders and Airship Aurora are now in intense dogfights with the wyvern riders, hell imps (winged little devils) and other flying creatures of the underworld.

            The Escudian fencer dives down to take a look, and terror comes to his face.

            More undead... and DEMONS! Oh, no... this multitude... they must be from Bresconnor, coming along with the orcs. But, wait. If reinforcements come, one of the top Dark Generals must have come too. Ah, I better go down there and give my comrades a hand...

            With that thought, the Flirty Fencer dives into the city. FWOOSH!! The pure-white winged steed is like cutting the air. Hernan uses that surprising speed to come near a group of undead and CRRAKKHH!! With a slash from his sword Albatross Hernan parts five zombies and skeletons from their heads and limbs, and that’s for starters.

            Hernan goes up again, and suddenly a winged, big, green demon jumps up and lands an uppercut on Hernan’s pegasus! BAAMM!!

            The pegasus gets thrown upwards and coughs out silver blood. Hernan leaps up from his steed, and with a somersault he dives! Without its master, the pegasus just flies away to safety until it’s needed again.

            Still diving, Hernan aims for the demon. When he gets close, he launches serial thrusts that fall down like Shears of the Falling Rain. This skill hits the monster on several spots like puncturing a balloon with a thousand needles, but the demon is – as always – a tough nut to crack.

            The demon leaps and does another uppercut in the air! CRASSH!! The evil claw grazes through Hernan’s shirt, and barely leaves a mark on the legendary mythril breastplate Eil’thanath. Nevertheless, Hernan is pushed, but he quickly does a somersault and a serial thrust that is so melodious and rhytmical, namely Requiem of the Tides.

            This time, Hernan concentrates all thrusts on one spot: the demon’s head, on and on until at last CHRAATH!! Brain and blood spray out from the punctured head, and the demon falls lifeless on the ground with a loud BAAMMMM!!

            Hernan surely doesn’t have time to enjoy the fruit of his experience. He immediately darts into the enemy. He splits a skeleton in two – CREEAKHH!! – and parts a zombie from its head – CRUSSH!! – and with a loud ‘EEEYAAARGHH!!’ he goes unstoppable, chopping several monsters into uselessness.

            The fencer goes on rampaging until he sees a hooded figure with white hair walking among the crowd. The hooded man’s aura is so dark and dense, far more powerful than he ever witnessed before. Dark denizens move aside, giving him way.

            As he gets closer, Hernan feels a greater pressure from that person that sparks a bit of fear in his heart. Never before he gets so intimidated – except, maybe from his plain but powerful wife. He stops and be on guard. 

3.3.19.1. To Free Freidle - Part Four

Upper left 1st: Ze'bog, 2nd: Chugal - The Orc Hairstyles :p

Dar’gum knows it too. He breaks away from his fight, quickly climbs to the back of Barudan and joins his two sons, Ze’bog and Chugal.

            ‘This is the moment that we’re waiting for,’ says Dar’gum to his sons and Barudan. ‘Try not to hurt our brethren. We only need to break through and break the Orc Commander.’

            ‘Understood,’ Chugal replies.

            ‘I hope the Commander is the Khan,’ Ze’bog adds.

            ‘Bhgrrrr!!!’ Barudan roars in support.

            Dar’gum nods, ‘Very likely, since they already know we’re here. I bet Hagnorj himself is targeting us as well, which makes him easy to find.’

            Just then, a big group of orcs charges through the combatants and comes face-to-face with Dar’gum’s group.

            And then, the grunts give way to an orc bigger than the rest (even Dar’gum), with grizzled orange hair and abnormally big tusks to match. A big scar that runs down his left chest makes his green-skinned figure looks more frightening. Plus, one of his ears is missing. Take a look at him back in the previous battles and you’ll know that those scars and handicaps were there just recently. The Sword of Thorns, his trusty weapon, rests on his thorn-decorated shoulder pads.

            Nevertheless, the orc maintains his air of authority when he greets grimly, ‘I have expected this moment, to see you here and settle our business... Dar’gum, you traitor.’

            ‘Well, you know I’m just trying to make us a more civilized race,’ says Dar’gum, sliding down the back of his ‘ride’. ‘We know you and the rest of our kind won’t approve this so we made a pact that you leave the Iron Mountain Tribe alone with our ways of life and we leave you with yours, as long as we are in peace. However, you violated that treaty by putting my tribe as vanguards in every battle and war, expecting us to die out and be extinct.

            And the worst of all is when you abandoned my tribesmen in the Battle of Windy Hills. Luckily we found Barudan there and gained his friendship, so when the champions attacked, we were ready. Alas, I was lost in the duel with Alexis and he spared my life, even offering us the Ruins of Celc as our new territory on refuge.

            We came back to Gremion and picked up the rest of our tribe, but in the exodus, you and that blasted she-devil attacked us. Almost all of our warriors died, and we hid in the mountain cave with Barudan and the three of us standing as stout defenders. You should’ve annihilated us all easily, but you all retreated in the and. One question still rings in my mind... why?’

            Hagnorj replies, ‘Because I still regarded you as my son-in-law, Dar’gum. You and your tribe have violated our way of life, a disgrace to our race, but I spared you. You even deserted us by going to Celc, and yet, I spared you again.

            Now that I see you here helping the Light Side, I realize that sparing your life was a big mistake. Oh, yes, you want to return to Gremion, topple me and be the new Khan so you can impose your so-called ‘culture’ on ALL our brethren!

            Big mistake, Dar’gum. HUGE mistake. Because there’s no way in hell I shall abdicate for you or spare you again this time! Today, you will die and I shall drink your blood to celebrate!’

            All that must be said has been said. Now the two orcs have made themselves clear and spared no room for negotiation, it’s time for their weapons to do the talking.

            Dar’gum pumps his aura, making a stance with the great axe Il Khatl J’nadh in hand, saying, ‘Hagnorj.’

            The Orc Khan also does the same. He points his Sword of Thorns at his opponent, saying, ‘Dar’gum.’

            The other orcs and Dar’gum’s sons just make a space, like in Adler versus Nöac’s duel nearby. The dueling orcs wait for a right timing, and DASSHHH!! The two dash at the same time!

            ‘WHHHROAAAHH!!’

            CLANG!

            First hit! The impact between the two weapons pushes both back, and both use the power of the push to launch another blow. Soon, deafening CLANK! CLANK! sounds from the impacts of two brutal powers reverberate throughout the area.

            Recovering from his previous duel, Dar’gum is the first to get ‘warm’ and releases his first move, Megaton Impact. The frontal blow with strength matching a hundred bulls is met with the same move from the opponent.

            DHAAANGG!!

            Again, it seems the winner will be decided on who’s the stronger between them, not whose technique is more superior. And from the similarity of their moves, one may assume that Hagnorj is not only Dar’gum’s father-in-law, but is also his teacher.

            Blow-by-blow they exchange, and still, neither can hurt the other.

            Amidst the fight, Hagnorj utters, ‘Hmm... We haven’t had a fight for a long time, and you’re improving a great deal, my student.’

            Dar’gum swings his axe, saying, ‘You’re still the best, master, but for the sake of my people, the student must surpass his teacher.’

            Wish I can give you that chance, because for my people’s sake, you must die.’ Hagnorj delivers a powerful thrust! And misses.

            ‘Great. Even if I die, someone will continue this struggle, and I’ll see my beloved Egh’nok in the afterlife,’ Dar’gum parries a low blow.

            ‘Humph. I doubt anyone will stand up to make any more cultural revolutions after I give the lesson through you. Speaking about Egh’nok, if she was still alive, she’d stop us here and now.’ CH’TANG! A parry from the other side.

            ‘Huffh... The climate in Gremion was too harsh for her. The plague came, and... ah, she was so fragile, poor Egh’nok. It was her death that moved me. She died because of the way we lived. ‘Survival for the fittest’ without giving a chance for the weak – it’s just won’t do. The weak deserves our protection, love and attention. By building a civilization, we’ll create that chance. Only then, Egh’nok might’ve lived.’ A blow misses.

            Hagnorj snaps, ‘NO! My daughter died because she simply couldn’t stand cold. She must’ve lived in a warmer climate! She grew up in Bresconnor and she was unhappy in Gremion! I’m telling you, she wanted to go back to her childhood home! That’s why I dedicated my life to re-conquer Bresconnor and fulfilled that, only that I was too late. At least, I can give you and my grandsons a better place to live in memory of her! Grrh, never did I expect my family to be the greatest hurdle in my path! Can’t you understand my pain? My anguish? The sufferings I’ve been through?’ SWISSHHH!! One horizontal slash also misses.

            ‘You claim that you understand your daughter, but the fact is: you don’t have a clue! Didn’t you see Egh’nok’s face when she first saw me? It was sour and almost hateful! But, when she and I talked and shared our thoughts, her face turned excited and loving! And she said to me, ‘I thought you are just another bad-breathed, yellow-tusked, foul-smelling, gut-gorging brute! But, after we talked, I realized that you are something else, different than the rest. You appreciated my thoughts about a civilized orcish nation and are willing to help me reach that goal. ‘Relentless’ is your name but truthfully, you have a heart of gold and for that, I love you’.’

            ‘That’s a LIE! My daughter loved you because you were the strongest one who can succeed me as Khan! I’ve lost my only son when we lost Bresconnor, and then my daughter, and now I have no heir. My life is empty and taking back Bresconnor is the only way to redeem myself!’

            The Khan’s blows get stronger and stronger as he continues, ‘If only you held your ideals back, I would support you to be the new Khan, and only then you may do whatever you like.

            But no, you’d rather express your absurd ideas and push your ambition too soon, impatient and reckless! And now, I have no choice but to kill you and end this chaos.’ J’BANGGG!!! Another powerful blow presses Dar’gum into the ground, but he parries it and pushes himself away, preparing another special attack.

            ‘I told you, it’s your daughter’s death that prompted me to act. So, enough talking and keep on bashing! HEEAAH!!’ Dar’gum holds his axe high and swings it down using his earth-reinforced skill, Land and Sea Divide.

            The single line of ground-splitting force slashes towards Hagnorj, and the old orc thrusts the ground with his sword, creating a spreading full-circle wave just like the name of the skill, the Quake Epicenter. DHUAASHH!! The wave muffles the line of force and stops it. Only ten percent hits Hagnorj’s body, pushing him back a bit and nowhere near deadly.

            Hagnorj sneers, ‘Child’s play. Don’t you remember one word that I taught you? IMPROVISE!’

            WHAAM!! The Khan hits the ground and sends a long-range bolt of energy, just like Dar’gum did.

            What? Another Land and Sea Divide?

            With that thought, Dar’gum learns from his ex-mentor and copies the solution: Quake Epicenter.

            DHUAAASHH! Again comes the impact, and the Epicenter again neutralizes that attack. But at the same time, a sword comes down from above!

            Dar’gum is shocked to see that. He’s not ready. The second before the sword splits his head, he quickly moves backwards. It misses his vital points but makes a long, horizontal graze on his face all the way down his torso. He’s hurt and probably will get a bad scar as souvenir from this fight, but he is still alive.

            With a grunt, Dar’gum spins his axe violently, pivoting forward. It’s an earth-powered variant of Whirlwind Slash called the Cavemaker’s Grudge. With added mobility, this skill works more to offensive than defensive. Hagnorj blocks each blow with ease, but the blows are going faster, harder, stronger each time.

Until at a point, Dar’gum accumulates his aura again and attacks with his best skill, Hymn of the Falling Mountains. He leaps up and randomly slashes downwards with so great a force as though all mountains in the world are falling onto his opponent, leaving no moment and room for escape.

However, Hagnorj stays calm. Never in his life has he got this worried. He never saw this skill in his life, and he never taught Dar’gum anything beyond Cavemaker’s Grudge.

So, instead of defending himself, he decides to retaliate using his own ultimate skill, Volcano Eruption. The combined energy of earth and fire, the lava spreads upwards beyond sword reach, and can cut even flying creatures in the sky.

CLANK! CLANK! CLANK! CRASSH! CRASH!

That’s not counting many other high-speed hits and parries as the two forces collide. This goes on for two minutes or so, and then the final outcome will come out.

And then, Dar’gum lands behind his opponent. Suddenly, wounds from that impact start to burst open, blood sprinkles out from his body all over, and yet, the Relentless One is still standing. He coughs up blood and slowly turns around in case Hagnorj attacks him again, catching him in this weakened, vulnerable state.

Dar’gum’s fears come true as he sees Hagnorj standing with his back facing the opponent. The mohawk-haired orc is about to shout a challenge out when suddenly the Orc Khan falls on his knees with more blood spraying from his wounds than his foe’s.

The champion and the loser are clear now.

Drenched in blood, coughing, Hagnorj scolds his unfaithful son-in-law, ‘Come on! (Cough!) What are you waiting for? Finish me off right now (cough!) and fulfill your ambition!’

Yet, Dar’gum stays in place.

‘You fool! KILL ME!’ shrieks the old orc with a cough. ‘You are (cough!) a disgrace to the orcs’ way of life!’

Dar’gum replies calmly, showing his immense wisdom and experience. ‘I’m not like you. I have my own way and my own code of honor. I’m bound by no one and I decide upon my honor to let you go. I’ll never harm a helpless foe under my mercy, and a man named Robert Chandler made me realize that for the first time.

So, go, go home to your people. Be a good Khan and bring prosperity to our kind. When that time comes, my people will rejoin you, and you and I will reunite as one big, happy family.’

Saying that, Dar’gum turns back and begins to walk away from the distraught Hagnorj. The Orc Khan grits his teeth and gets up with effort. And then, mustering the last drops of his strength, he points his sword towards Dar’gum and dashes!

‘No, I’d rather you DIE!’

Dar’gum gets alert, but is too weak to move quickly. Death is unavoidable. His face shows extreme surprise, never expecting his father-in-law to repay his kindness and mercy with the basest of all treachery...

CRRAASSSHH!!!!

The Sword of Thorns finds its mark! Dar’gum feels no pain at all – is this what death feels like? He looks more thoroughly and to his dismay, a very familiar orc already comes and embraces the sword!

‘ZE’BOOOGGG!!!’ Dar’gum now has reasons to be depressed. His firstborn son sacrifices himself to protect his father! ‘Gush’tar! (Brother!)’ Chugal also shouts.

‘No, no, no...!!’ The Chieftain takes a closer look and he’s not seeing wrong. Hagnorj’s sword is nesting in his son’s stomach. Blood drenches Ze’bog’s hands red, and the falchion in his hand is stuck in Hagnorj’s right chest, missing the heart but still fatal.

‘No... no, Ze’bog, why? It didn’t have to be this way... my son...!’

‘No, father,’ the bald orc coughs blood when he replies, ‘(Cough-cough!) It’s necessary. You are the strongest of our kind, and you’re next in line (cough!) to be... Khan. Please... continue our struggle. Create a civilized orcish nation where my wife and kids may live in peace. Only that will make my sacrifice worthwhile. This is... the proof of my love for you... father...’

And then his eyes go blank. His jaw hangs, and one may believe that there’s a place in heaven for orcs and he’s already in there. For the second time in his life, Dar’gum is in tears.

Turning quickly, he scolds Hagnorj, ‘You see now? If you just agreed with me from the start, this wouldn’t happen. We would stand side-by-side as family!’

Hagnorj spits blood on Dar’gum, ‘PTOOEEY!! If you didn’t run away to those filthy Arcadians, I wouldn’t end up with my grandson’s blade within!

You are the culprit all along! Because of the silly ideals my stupid daughter told you, I cannot fulfill my goal of crating a vast, great Orcish Empire that spreads to distances horses can reach! (Cough, cough!)

Just bear this in mind! The humans never want to coexist with us, not now, not ever. We are nothing but hideous monsters in THEIR eyes! They just want to wipe us out, one by one until orcs are extinct. Just don’t try to coexist with them! It’s not within our nature to adopt human civilizations! WE are born to WAR! To KILL! To plunder! That’s what we are! Predators! UUURRGGG!!’

Too excited, Hagnorj vomits blood. He gets stiff and jerks a bit, and then breathes his last.

Crestfallen, Dar’gum and Chugal witness all that. Hagnorj’s last words made them think. Rethinking their ideals, their true nature, combined with the fact that hey had no success trying to live so near to humans in Celc.

With a face full of doubt, Chugal talks to his father, ‘Uh, dad, I’m just thinking...’

‘Maybe Hagnorj is right,’ Dar’gum answers. ‘But, our attempt to return to Gremion proves that we still want to build OUR OWN civilization without any human contact at all. As long as we keep to our borders, stay out of human territories and live independently off our own resources, our kind will prosper for ages to come. As time flies, as humans become more rational and advanced, maybe one day, one day they will embrace us as equals and coexist in peace.’

In response, Chugal turns to his comrades and shouts, ‘The Khan is dead! Dar’gum is the new Khan! Long live the Khan!’

Chugal’s shout gets the orcs’ attention. They break away from their enemies and gather into a big group.

Knowing this situation, Hernan shouts to his troops, ‘DON’T ATTACK THE ORCS! FOCUS ON THE UNDEAD ONLY!’

Kyflynn and Desmond relay the message to the Alliance troops and soon the orcs are all around Dar’gum like a gigantic doughnut.

As Chugal gets the attention, he announces further, ‘All of you have witnessed your Khan and Ze’boc killed each other. And now before us stands the Khan’s legitimate family member, the next in line for the Khanate, and a great warrior. No need for election! All hail Dar’gum, the new Khan of Gremion!’

Without comprehension over politics, the orcs are in a dire need of a new leader, and when one steps in, fully qualified to fill the vacancy, traitor or not, the orcs have no choice but to accept.

‘HAIL KHAN DAR’GUM! LONG LIVE THE KHAN!’

The cheers and recognition prompts Dar’gum to act. ‘My brothers, my brethren! As your new Khan I declare that we have no more allegiance with the Dark Forces! Let us not get involved in this war! We are only pawns for the Dark’s benefit! This is NOT our war, and we shall go back to Bresconnor to reconcile with the humans!

Gremion is our homeland! No matter how harsh the climate there, I promise you, we shall find a way to live and prosper! Now let us MARCH!’

Before the orcs can move out of the battlefield, suddenly cries of death and terror get more deafening. Dar’gum takes a better look and immediately warns his comrades, ‘HALT! Stand your ground and be on guard! The enemy reinforcements have arrived!’

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