Project Legends: Skies of Blood
A/N This is a rewrite of my story Skies of Blood, because I just didn't like where it was going... So, sorry to anyone who liked my old story... But I think you'll like this one much better. I'd like to thank ShadowQueen25 for beta reading this.
Want to know what Project Legends is? Check out my profile. :)
"Get all the women and children inside! Now! We don't have much time!"
"Aracus! Look! The Sky!"
Aracus raised his blue eyes to the sky, his eyes widening slightly. A dark swarm was making its way towards the terra. From so far away, it looked like nothing more than a school of cloud krill, but he knew it was something much worse; Cyclonians.
"Hurry!" He shouted, making a sweeping motions with his sword. "They're coming!" A strand of his golden hair fell into his eyes, making him pause to tuck it back under his helmet.
"Father!"
Aracus turned sharply toward the sound of his son's voice. "Lysander! I thought I told you to stay with your mother at the forge!"
The blond-haired boy skidded to a halt in front of his father, his blue eyes narrowed in determination. "I'm old enough, Father! I can fight! You taught me how."
He stared down at Lysander, frowning for a few moments before he spoke. "You're only sixteen... Don't be in such a hurry to grow up." His eyes softened. "But I suppose we need all the swords we can... Tuck your ponytail under your helmet. Otherwise the enemy will use it to get a hold on you."
His son nodded before doing as he was instructed. He froze as his eyes were drawn to the sky. "Father..."
"I know, son, I know... Get into formation with the others," Aracus instructed. He watched Lysander get into formation with the others, trying to ignore the twinge of anxiety he felt. His son could take care of himself... He forced himself to look up at the swarm. They were close enough for him to make out the individual shape of the Cyclonians. They road on some sort of contraption they called a 'skimmer'. It could make a man fly in the sky, just like the balloons they used would, except it was faster and more deadly. It somehow ran on crystals, as did their weapons.
He did not understand how such things worked. He was a mere weapon smith. It was his friend Petrel who worked with crystals... And even he could not figure out how those weapons worked. The only breakthrough he had made so far in his research was how to release the energy from the crystals, but not how to harness it.
Aracus drew his sword as he began to be able to make out the individual features of the enemy. Its plain metal made a rasping sound as it was drawn from its sheath, a sound that was repeated as the rest of the men drew their weapons. He picked up his round shield from where it had been on the ground. It was silver, with a gold swan embedded in the center. He stared down at the swan, the symbol of his terra, and felt a swell of pride. He looked around at the buildings around him, reminding himself what he was fighting for.
It was then that they landed. The Cyclonian machines reverted to some sort of bike as they roared toward the defenders. They pulled to a stop a few hundred meters away. For a few moments there was silence as the two sides just stared at each other.
Then, the Cyclonians ignited their weapons. Their blood red blades extended from seemingly no where, casting shadows upon their faces.
Aracus forced himself to swallow his fear. Lifting his sword, he cried: "For Terra Rex!" He sprinted toward the enemy, narrowing his eyes in determination. His cry was repeated as the rest of the defenders sprinted after him.
The Cyclonians jumped from their rides and ran toward their opponents, letting out a harsh battle cry as they did so. The two sides crashed together as the chaos began.
Aracus ducked as he saw a flash or red, barely able to avoid the Cyclonian's blade. He thrust his blade forward, then ripped it back again, the blood sprinkling from his blade. He snapped his shield up in time to block another blow. He heard a sizzle, and ripped his arm back as he felt the heat of melting metal. He slashed his sword forward, making his attacker back out of his reach.
All around him he could hear the sounds of battle. The death cries. The harsh heavy breathing of enemy combatants. The sizzle of burning flesh. Above all else could be heard the thrumming of the enemy's energy blades. They have been called the Blood Blades of Death.
He was barely aware of what he was doing any more. Dodge and thrust. Dodge and thrust. It was almost mechanical. He froze though as someone let out a cry of alarm. Half turning, his eyes widened.
They were being overrun.
The defenders were outnumbered and dwindling fast. The Cyconians ripped through them, cutting them down with their blade. The smell of burning flesh and the metallic tang of blood floated poignantly through the air.
"Citizens of Terra Rex!" One voice cut strongly through the air, causing the fighters to stop to face the speaker.
Aracus felt his heart skip a beat as a man dismounted a skimmer and walked slowly toward the fighters. He wore splendid black robes, and in his hands he carried nothing but a single staff. It was none other than Master Cyclonis himself.
"You are the last terra to stand against me... But no longer! I am giving you this one chance... Surrender. Your forces are being cut to pieces, and you can stop this needless slaughter if you surrender..."He hissed.
Aracus felt his comrades eyes on him. Knowing they were asking him to make the decision, he spat on the ground towards Cyclonis. "You must think us to be dishonorable cowards if you think we'll surrender to a dog like you!" The roar of his soldiers was deafening as they voiced their support.
"Fine Then I'll have to beat you into the submission like the dogs you are!" He drew out his staff to its full, demonic length and began to slash at what seemed like air.
Aracus blinked, confused until he suddenly felt a searing pain. He let out a scream, writhing in agony. The scent of his burning flesh filled his nostrils as electricity coursed through him.
"Father!" Lysander cried, beginning to run towards his father.
"No... Lysander... Stay back!" He managed.
His son froze, staring at his father with wide eyes.
Aracus managed to turn his head enough to regard Cyclonis. His eyes gleamed with defiance. "On my honor... I swear to you that you will never control Terra Rex!"
"Honor? Let's just see where your honor has gotten you!" He mocked, shooting another bolt of lightning from the crystal atop his staff.
Aracus let out another scream, this once filled with more agony than the last.
"Father..." Lysander dropped his sword and fell to his knees, unable to watch his father's suffering. He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked over to see his friend Tobias beside him, his face pale.
No one made a single move, the air still until split by another scream. It seemed like it went on for hours until finally, Aracus let out once last scream, this one tinged with the sound of death.
No one moved, all just staring at the body, which was burned beyond recognition. Then, some one dropped their sword and fell to their knees. Soon the air was filled with the sound of weapons being dropped to the ground.
"It seems you've made the right choice," Cyclonis sneered. "But you must be punished for your defiance! Men! You know what to do!"
The Cyclonians ignited their red blades once again, their thrumming almost too loud to bear. Before anyone knew what was happening, people were being dragged from their houses into the streets.
Smoke began filling the air as houses were lit on fire, causing more to flee into the streets.
The Cyclonians massacred them. Killing without feeling, as if they were just fattened pigs ready for slaughter. They descended upon houses like locusts on crops, a pestilence that could not be fought back. Killers, laughing as their prey screamed in their grip.
Screams filled the air as people fled, only to be cut down by the merciless, heartless goons. The only thing visible through the billowing clouds of smoke were the hellish glow of the energy blades as they slashed through innocent lives. Through dreams, hopes, and futures.
That day, the skies of Terra Rex ran red with blood.