The march back to Ken was long yet loud, as everyone was still in the party mood. Nirvos was the only one focused, as his priority home was important. He needed to report back to Celestine before making the next move on Olga.
Nirvos noticed Claudia moving next to him.
"The soldiers' spirits are high," Claudia commented. "Are you sure you don't wish to celebrate with them?"
"The battle is won, but the war isn't over yet," Nirvos answered, his tone trying to be light and feathery as humor. "We will draw up as many plans as we can on the siege of the Black Fortress."
The Dawn Templars captain sighed as she looked forward as well. "You should share your happiness with everyone else."
"I'll be happy once the war is finally over," Nirvos answered wistfully.
Claudia gave him a forlorn glance. She knew what had happened that made him this way. If her unit had been killed like that, she would've been devastated.
Suddenly, Volt rode his horse alongside them. "So what's going on here at the front? Looks like you're discussing strategy!"
Nirvos shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing worth talking about. I'm just musing how glad I am for the war to be over."
The mercenary leader smirked. "I hear you. Soon, we can relax and have a huge party once this is all over."
The strategist knight nodded, though he noticed some sort of gleam in Volt's eye. There it was again. He knew that there was something that Volt was hiding, but what was it? He needed to confide his trust into someone about his suspicions.
Maia was out of the question, thanks to her affiliation and undying loyalty. Luu-Luu was smart and strategic, yet she seemed to be quite loud and boisterous as well. Alicia was impulsive to a fault. Prim could've been a good choice, but she ruled her out because she of how she was regularly seen with Alicia. Claudia would also be a good choice as well, yet her methods would differ from his since she pragmatism was something she frowned at.
That left Celestine and Kaguya as the options. Both of them had been known to keep their cool. The high elf was very patient and understanding, so she could see his view about it while the high priestess was an enigma that had a stoic facade yet was cordial at the same time. If anyone could keep secrets, it was those two. Celestine had a long history, so she must not be a stranger to secrets. Kaguya had an excellent poker face that can hide any facial expression.
Nirvos looked up to see the walls of Ken.
XXX
Nirvos was busy in his room, writing a message on his parchment. Once they had arrived to the city, Volt had been called to meet with Celestine. Nirvos wondered what the conversation was about. Shaking his head, he focused on writing his letter to Kaguya.
Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. Looking down at the letter, Nirvos realized that he was almost done.
"Just a moment," Nirvos said as he made the final writings before rolling up the parchment, hiding it in one of his drawers. "You can enter now."
The door opened to reveal Celestine herself. The ruler of Eostia looked as beautiful and graceful as every other day.
"Your majesty," he gave a slight bow.
"At ease, Nirvos," she said, smiling towards him. "I wish to speak to you about something."
He nodded as Celestine closed the door behind her. The silence was rather awkward, as they looked elsewhere but themselves. Nirvos was looking around his room while Celestine was staring down at the floor. After a moment, Nirvos broke it.
"The attack was a success," Nirvos said as he began to look at her.
"Ah, Claudia briefed me on that," she replied, as her eyes darted back in return. "Soon, we will be close to ending the war."
He nodded. Once the Black Fortress is seized, peace will flourish throughout the land.
"Nirvos."
He broke out of his thoughts once Celestine acknowledged him.
"What does strength mean to you?" she asked as she looked into his glowing eyes, the expression on her face was as neutral as it could be.
He looked at her, a slightly startled expression behind his helmet. That was quite a random question to ask him, but nonetheless he gave his answer.
"Strength is the ability to make that which you believe in a reality," Nirvos replied.
"And what do you believe in?" she asked once more.
"A land of peace and tranquility in Eostia," he gave his answer once more. "Where did all this come from?"
Another moment of silence before she smiled. However, it was a rather sad smile.
"I asked Volt the same question," she replied.
"What was his answer?" he asked.
Celestine's face turned to a soft frown.
"He said that strength was used to fight, win and take everything."
It was quite simple minded. However, when he looked into that answer, Nirvos saw the bigger picture and realized just what kind of man Volt was. He was a charismatic war hero, but even war heroes have ambitions.
"I don't trust him," Nirvos blurted out.
Celestine was slightly surprised, yet she knew why he said that. What was surprising was that Nirvos, the man who gave trust in newfound allies, was actually suspicious of someone.
"May I ask why?" she asked for elaboration.
"'The strength to fight, win, and take everything?' That doesn't just sound ambitious, but I could feel the underlying motive behind that sentence. He fights to get what he wants and wins to become the ultimate winner of it all."
Celestine pondered those words carefully. She knew where he was going with, but they were bordered in the accusation category unless there was evidence of such.
"And to take everything?" she inquired.
"Exactly what it is," he answered with a grim tone. "All of Eostia."
"But why all of Eostia? What could he want with it?" Celestine wondered.
"That, I have no idea," he shook his head. "Whatever for, I do not trust him in the slightest."
The high elf queen looked down and began to think. The next move was to lay siege on the Black Fort. If they did capture it, what would happen to the prisoners? Thoughts of her old friend made her shiver with worry.
"Sir Nirvos," she began. "I have a task for you."
"What is it, my queen?" Nirvos asked, professionalism kicking back in.
Celestine mentally frowned, but disregarded it as she went straight to business. "I have told Volt and his men that you and your unit would partake in this siege on the Black Fortress. I would like you to bring Olga Discordia back alive."
The strategist knight nodded, but one question lingered in his mind.
"Retrieve her alive? Do you not wish for me to slay her?" he asked.
Celestine sighed. She knew a question like that would pop up sooner or later.
"What I will tell you does not leave this room, alright?" she said.
He nodded. It must be urgent enough to remain a secret.
"Olga and I weren't always enemies," Celestine said, looking out at the window as she reminisced through her memories. "Many years ago, we used to rule Eostia together as co-rulers. It wasn't the perfect country that people talked about, but there was a semblance of peace."
Nirvos nodded. Not every country has to be perfect. Everything and everyone had a flaw.
"We did everything in our power to give our hardest in preserving peace," Celestine said. "Our methods were different. I wanted to pacify Eostia while Olga wanted total rule of it."
'No surprise there,' Nirvos thought. Celestine and Olga were opposites. The High Elf Queen wore a velvet glove that made her loved and admired by all, inspiring loyalty to her people. From the stories he heard, Olga Discordia held an iron fist that spreads fear to all.
"I had defended humans all my life, believing that there was good in there. Olga, while she had protected Eostia, had a huge disdain for humans, due to the fact that
"However, things changed when Olga found out," the high queen grimaced. "She had changed."
"What happened?" Nirvos asked, not liking where this story was going.
"We found out that human traders were conducting slavery of dark elves," Celestine answered. "Furious...wasn't quite the word that I would describe what Olga was feeling, but it was around there."
"We had imprisoned the slave traders before we could decide what to do," she continued, yet she frowned somberly. "However, our discussion had turned into an argument. Olga wanted to execute them, but I wanted to prevent bloodshed by sentence them to life imprisonment."
"By the time I decided to give them their sentences, the guards had reported that the traders were murdered," Celestine continued. "I tried to find Olga, but she had disappeared."
"The next day, reports of monsters lurking outside the fortresses has surfaced. Villages were raided and people were killed. However, I had recognized the enemy's banner and figured out who was responsible for this rebellion," she muttered, a black flag and white sigil imprinted in her mind.
"I tried to contact her, but it seemed that something or someone was blocking my magic," Celestine frowned in thought. "I have spent many years trying to find a way to contact her, yet the war had distracted me from achieving as such."
"Now that the final battle is approaching, I really want this war to end as soon as possible. And I'm sure that Olga does as well," she said. "That's why I am entrusting you to handle this mission."
Nirvos nodded slowly. This was going to be difficult keeping quiet, but a mission from Celestine herself was important.
"I will need to bring a small band of my unit with me," he requested.
She smiled and nodded as soon as she heard his acceptance. "Very well. I will go and inform Volt."
Just as Celestine was about to leave, she noticed that Nirvos was looking outside of the window, she wondered what he was looking at, yet he seemed to be in thought.
"Is there something on your mind, Nirvos?" she asked.
Nirvos let out a soft sigh. He looked back at her.
"I'm afraid that what I'm about to say might disrespect you," he said.
What could he say that could disrespect her? Nirvos should know that she was willing to listen.
"Do not be afraid to speak your mind. You are my strategist after all," Celestine said.
He nodded and looked at her in the eye.
"From your story as to why the war happened, it seemed that both of you were at fault," Nirvos said.
Celestine frowned. Why did that statement hurt more than it should?
"Olga betrayed Eostia because she saw the monstrous side of humanity. However, what must have caused this final decision was your choice to spare and imprison those slave traders," Nirvos said.
"But Nirvos, to execute them would make us no better than them," Celestine pleaded. "They could have redeemed themselves."
"Or they could have escaped. Nobody knows, since they were killed. However, let me ask you this. Instead of dark elves, how would you feel if you find out that they were taking high elves instead?" Nirvos questioned.
That caused the goddess to pause. If it were one of her own, she would definitely be furious. Celestine would've wanted those slavers...
Eyes widened in realization as she finally knew how Olga felt. She needed to fix this as soon as possible!
Nirvos noticed her expression as he nodded.
"We might come from different species, but we all feel the same emotions," he said. "Everyone feels the same emotion and desire when it comes to Olga. What you told me helped me see an even bigger picture that made me feel conflicted."
Olga probably has a side of her story as well. Maybe he could finally see the full illustration of this entire mess.
"I will definitely bring her back in once piece," he said, his voice filled with determination.
Celestine heard that tone as she looked into his blue orbs. She couldn't read what he was feeling, but she believed that it matched his voice.
"I'm glad that I made the right choice in choosing you for this task," she said with a smile.
Celestine walked towards the door and gave Nirvos one last look.
"I have one more request I would like to ask from you," she said.
Nirvos looked at her in curiosity.
"And what would that be?" he asked.
"From now on, I would like you to criticize me if I ever make the wrong choices," Celestine said. "A good ruler must take the time to listen to their subjects' opinions and advice before making such decisions."
"Yes, Celestine," Nirvos said as he nodded firmly.
"Good," she said with a smile. "I look forward to seeing you complete your mission."
With that, she had left the room. Celestine sighed as she rested her back on the door before continuing on back to her quarters.
Thinking back, she realized that the world is a huge grey area and that decisions were hard to make. She wished that she couldn't spill any blood, yet that made things even worse. Not only was there a war, but a war caused by a close friend she had lost.
She could hear the whispers behind her back whenever she attended gatherings, nobles muttering about how she was unfit to rule Eostia and rumors as to what she did that led to this long war.
Celestine was still glad to have genuine supporters on her side. The Seven Shield Alliance had always been there for her and helped protect Eostia from threats. However, she wished that they would be more critical with their opinions and think for themselves. Especially Claudia, since her loyalty towards her was strong.
Nirvos, however, had finally gave her the criticism that made her realize that bloodshed was inevitable. He was different from everyone. While he pointed out her faults, he still held compassion and understanding. He was never harsh, but his voice was firm enough to help grasp what was going on.
It was like he tried to bring the best out of her.
She sighed as she made her way through the corridor. Decisions like these were tough to make. But with his help, maybe she could finally achieve the peace she had sought out for Eostia.
And maybe Nirvos could stay by her side for a long time.
XXX
Nirvos had assembled eight of his men in the barracks to give them the mission briefing. While they were generally surprised that her majesty wanted Olga Discordia alive, nevertheless, they accepted the mission.
"Sir, why simply bring eight of us to a siege?" One of the soldiers asked. "Wouldn't it be easier if we brought a thousand of us?"
"Normally under this circumstance, I would," Nirvos said. "However, the main force we will be aiding are the Black Dogs. Our task is a stealth operation."
'Besides, I don't trust either of them,' Nirvos thought as he looked out of the window to find Black Dogs banners from the distance.
"So when are we leaving?"
He snapped out of his thoughts as he looked back at them. "Tomorrow morning. We leave before the sun rises. Are we clear?"
They nodded firmly.
"Dismissed." With that order, the eight men had gone their separate ways.
Nirvos looked out of the window once more, the anticipation of battle making his heart beat even faster. The final battle was approaching and he needed to give it his all.
'But why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?'
XXX
The day had finally arrived. The Black Dogs began their march to the Black Fortress. Nirvos's unit was marching alongside their commander.
Nirvos rode towards the front and approached Volt.
"Sir Volt, perhaps we could use this time to discuss strategy," he began.
"First of all, just call me Volt. None of that formal crap," the Black Dog leader said. "Second of all, we already got a strategy. So don't worry about it."
"Ah, care to share with me?" Nirvos inquired.
He simply smirked. "Well, I better not leave you out of the loop in case something backfired."
"Oh?" The strategist muttered.
"We've got an inside man that will help us open the gate. There, we'll take every section of the fortress! While we're doing that, your unit is going to find the queen bitch herself," Volt explained. "Be careful though. Her magic is powerful because of that staff she has. Some stories have claimed that she could control anyone to do her bidding, cause destruction and maybe resurrect the dead."
'A staff that powerful exists?' Nirvos thought in wonder. Getting Olga to surrender will be difficult if she were to wield that much power.
Throughout the expedition, monsters, demons and several of Olga's troops had been encountered in various ambushes. About a quarter of the Black Dogs had fallen to these sporadic attacks while one member of Nirvos's unit had been critically wounded. However, they did rest for an hour before continuing on.
"So, what's your type of girl you fancy?" Hicks asked Nirvos as they ventured on.
"I fancy?" the strategist muttered, taken aback by such a question.
"Yeah," the rogue said as he clarified the question. "Like which one are you attracted to?"
"Hmm..." Nirvos thought as he looked up to the sky. "There's a lot to choose from."
"Oh, come on!" Hicks threw his arms up. "There's like a lot of ladies to choose from! We've got Celestine, who's reincarnated as a goddess! And it shows from that flawless body she has! Then there's Olga, whose practically a chocolate-skinned babe!"
Nirvos winced at how odd Hicks's descriptions of these women are.
"Then we've got her bodyguard, whose got those exotic features that could kill an old man within a heartbeat," Hicks continued.
A bodyguard? He would have to be careful.
"And we've got the Princess Knights as well!" Hicks continued with a growing leer on his face. "There's the noble Alicia whose blonde hair that matches her eyes. Then we've got pure and innocent Prim makes me wanna give her a big hug! There's also the mysterious Kaguya that has this seductive vibe and that little Lou Lou who's actually older than she looks. What about Claudia with her mature married body or maybe our former comrade the feisty redhead Maia? Nirvos, buddy! There's a lot of choices!"
The strategist knight looked disgusted underneath his helmet. The way he described them with that lecherous expression was something Nirvos didn't seem fond of. Nevertheless, he decided to humor him.
"Well, there's so many to decide. I can't possibly pick one of them," he said.
Hicks grinned. "Not to worry! After this entire battle is over, you won't have to decide anymore!"
Nirvos shook his head. While he knew that they were all beautiful, all he wanted in a partner was someone who would accept him for what he is. He doubt that anyone of them would understand.
'But what did he mean that he wouldn't have to decide anymore?' He thought. He didn't have time to think of that as a voice called out.
"There we are!" Volt exclaimed as they arrived at the Badlands.
The Badlands was placed in merely the outskirts of the Black Fortress. It was pretty much a desert wasteland. The mountains and cliffs made several narrow paths and unpredictable areas. Some of the trenches contained poisonous marshes.
"We'll build our campsite here," Volt said as he looked out to the area.
Nirvos joined him as well. He squinted his eyes to see and feel some sort of strange aura over the fortress.
"Dark magic," Kin said, walking towards them. "She must've placed runes around the fort."
Nirvos looked at him. "You would have to find a powerful spell to disable it."
Hicks arrived with a smirk. "Don't worry about it. We've got an inside man in there."
"Hmm..." the strategist hummed in thought, wondering who might it be.
"Once the runes are disabled, your unit will infiltrate from the fort's rear while the main force distracts the enemy," Volt took over. "The Black Dogs' strength comes in numbers and since you brought a small group with you, it makes it convenient for you to pierce through the enemy's defenses."
"I see," Nirvos said. "Not bad of a strategy, but how will we know where Olga will be?"
Volt gave him a copy of a map. It was a map of the interior.
"Olga's probably in the throne room, so you're gonna have to get ready to face her," he said. "You've got eight guys that got your back, so you're gonna do fine."
"Of course," Nirvos said. "When do we leave?"
"Just as soon as I give the signal," Hicks answered. "All you gotta do is station yourself behind the fortress."
It's a long trek, but he needed to be there as soon as possible.
"Remember if you feel the dark energy dissipate, then that means that it is your cue to begin the infiltration," Kin reminded.
"So what're you waiting for? An invitation? Get to it!" Volt exclaimed jovially as he slapped Nirvos's back.
"R-right," the pitch knight said as he ran off, stuttering from the stumble he just received. "I'll get my men and we'll be off!"
The three key members of the Black Dogs watched him run off.
"So," Kin began. "What do you make of him?"
"He has potential. He could make a useful ally," Volt answered.
"The guy doesn't discriminate with all these ladies. When the plan finally comes together, he'll be happy that he got the jackpot!" Hicks exclaimed.
"You mean 'we' will hit the jackpot," Volt rephrased. "Once he'll hear our plan, he's bound to join us."
XXX
Nirvos and his men made his way around the fortress. The path was very dangerous and with one critically wounded soldier recently patched up, they had to slow down for a bit. Fortunately, they managed to get around it without casualties.
"We'll have to wait under the barrier is down," Nirvos said. "So stay sharp and alert."
His unit nodded as they stood and waited, shields and various different weapons in hand. Silence filled the air as they felt sweat pouring down their heads underneath their helmets. Either the heat was getting to them or they were starting to feel nervous from the battle.
A few moments went by until Nirvos felt the dark aura dissipate into nothingness.
'There's the signal!' He thought. "Everyone, move out!"
"Sir!" They exclaimed as they followed in right into the castle.
XXX
(Tooth Claw from Killer Instinct OST)
Nirvos and his men fought their way through various hordes of monsters. Left and right, the corridors were filled to the brim as they tried to make their way through.
"How are you holding up?!" Nirvos called out as he beheaded a goblin.
"We're fine, sir!" One of them said, smashing an orc's head with his flail. "But I think Ramsey's out of it, sir!"
"Don't worry about me!" Ramsey, the wounded scout, exclaimed as he stabbed an imp with his dagger. "Our priority is the mission!"
Nirvos looked in worry, before his eyes narrowed in determination as he continued to charge his way through. Stabbing into one of the demons, he pulled it back and delivered a backswing to behead it.
Another orc tried to attack him from behind, but Nirvos anticipated it and turned around to block the incoming axe with his shield. With a quick stab, he delivered a shield uppercut.
Finding a set of stairs, he realized that they were in the basement floor. It led to both up and down. Nirvos was curious what was downstairs. Nevertheless, he still went up as the mission was important.
XXX
Nirvos and his unit made their way through the corridors. He looked around to see if there were any doors that had a grandiose design. Walking around, they still ran into some more enemies as they tried to make their way through.
"AARGH!" He heard a cry of agony.
"Ramsey!!!" One of his soldiers exclaimed.
"Shit!" Ramsey exclaimed with grit teeth as his wound was reopened right in the stomach. Finding a cyclops approaching him, the wounded soldier tossed his dagger right into the monster's eye. It roared in agony as it was blinded by the sharp piercing projectile. It began to swing it's club around, smashing the walls. Ramsey rolled out of the way as he smashed his shield right into the cyclops's kneecaps, causing it to stumble to the ground. The wounded soldier took his dagger back.
"Alcott, heal up his wound," Nirvos ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the javelin warrior replied as he helped Ramsey down and tried to close up the wound.
"Stannis and Novelsky, you two will stay with them and watch their backs," the strategist said.
The archer (Stannis) and flailer (Novelsky) nodded as they stood by him.
"The rest of you, come with me," he continued. With that, four stayed back with the other four continued on.
XXX
Nirvos noticed how the next area looked way bigger than before. Looking up the map, there were four paths to take. Both the north and west lead to bigger areas, but the north had two areas.
"We'll have to split up. I'll take the north while one of you two will take the west," Nirvos said, navigating through the map.
"Leave it to me!" the axeman exclaimed while the longswordman nodded.
"Very well," he said. "Let's go!"
"Right!" The halberdier and hammerman exclaimed as they followed him.
XXX
"We're close!" Nirvos exclaimed as the trio ran forward. "Prepare yourself!"
However, they found that a huge wave of enemies were waiting for them as they stood right in front of a heavily-designed door.
"Leave them to us, commander!" The halberdier exclaimed as he and the hammerman charged.
"You go on ahead!" The hammerman exclaimed.
The halberdier swung his weapon at some orcs, cutting a row of them in half. Twirling it around, he stabbed into an ogre and kicked the back of an imp's head. Pulling his weapon back, he delivered a diagonal slash towards a goblin.
The hammerman smashed an imp to mush before swinging his weapon to smash a drakkon's skull to bits. He elbowed a goblin's head hard before smashing the skull of a beastman.
Nirvos ran towards the door, leaping forwards as he stabbed right into a demon's chest, dragging his blade through the flesh. Landing safely, he found himself right in front of the double doors. Slowly, he pushed them open as he entered the room.
(End OST)
XXX
The doors behind him closed as he sheathed his sword. The room was illuminated by various torches that hung on several pillars as a red throne was facing him right at the opposite end. However, something had caught his attention.
Or in this case, someone.
This person sat on the throne in all her regal beauty. She was tall woman that stood at around 5'10", looked quite young for someone her age, had mesmerizing dark brown skin, long, midnight black hair and piercing golden eyes. Her chocolate skin gleamed in the fire light and her black hair flowed down all the way to her black high heeled shoes. Her knife long ears were pierced by three golden earrings on each side.
On her head was a silver purple-ish crown while she wore a black and gold multi-sectioned cape around her shoulders. It matched well with the strapless purple corset that held back her bosom. To go with the corset, she also wore matching purple leggings and armbands. Above the black thong she wore was a black tattoo that was placed right underneath her bellybutton. In her hands, she held a black staff with a red jewel imbedded in the curved part of her staff and a golden hoop surrounding the base.
This was Olga Discordia, queen of the dark elves.
"So an army invaded my fortress, a traitor lowers my defenses, my monsters practically get slaughtered...," Olga's tone is lowered. "Yet the enemy sends one human to confront me? I don't know whether to feel insulted or amused."
"Lady Olga Discordia," Nirvos began as he sheathed his sword. "I am tasked in returning you to Celestine Lucross herself. So I implore you to surrender. Your armies have been demolished, thus outnumbering you."
She had a small sneer on her face. "So what? Even if I am at a disadvantage, your forces are still no match for my magic."
"True, but I do not wish to fight," Nirvos said. "In fact, how about we discuss this with civil diplomacy?"
Olga scowled. "You dare to mock we with such empty words?"
"Oh, I am serious," Nirvos replied. "We've been in a state of war for quite a long time. When was the last time you ever spoke to someone about politics?"
She raised an eyebrow. "You come barging in my fortress all because you wish to speak with me? Quite a contradiction in that statement."
"There were no other options since your army is not only excessively violent, they also have quite a history in causing strife," he replied. "I would doubt that they would accept my request for your audience."
A small smile appeared on her face. "You're quite humorous, aren't you? Too bad that's not enough for me to spare your life."
"Communication is very important, you know," he said. "When was the last time you ever spoke to her?"
"What happened between me and Celestine is none of your business," she shot back, scowling.
"Then you must surrender," Nirvos implored.
She glared at him. "Who are you to tell me what to do, human?"
"I am Nirvos Veuillet. I am not just any human. I am a protector of Eostia," he answered as he stared back.
Olga could hear the conviction in his voice. She didn't change her expression, but she could hear the truth in his voice.
'Determined, if not stubborn,' Olga thought.
"Are you really that loyal to Celestine?" she questioned.
"Celestine has brought me out of the pit of despair. In return, I pledge my loyalty as her strategist and help her become a better ruler," Nirvos said.
"Even if it means executing someone in cold blood?" Olga asked.
"Of course. Bloodshed is inevitable. And we need to punish those that have performed unforgivable acts in order to set an example of those that wish to harm Eostia," Nirvos answered.
Olga was surprised by his answer. While his desire for peace is prevalent and his loyalty to Celestine is evident, it seems that he has some form of realism in his mindset.
"Lady Discordia, do you not wish for this tiresome war to end?" He suddenly asked.
She looked at him with a frown. "What are you implying?"
"You have claimed that the dark elves are a superior race," Nirvos replied as he slowly began to approach her. "What happened to them?"
She closed her eyes as memories and images of the past appeared as flashes in her mind. Olga could hear the screams of terror as they clouded her mind.
Slowly, she opened her eyes to look back at Nirvos.
"What does it matter to you, anyway?" she asked in a neutral tone.
"Because if many lives are lost, then we need to end this war now," Nirvos answered.
"Why should I surrender when the humans will still cause chaos once more? That's all they've ever done throughout the decades," Olga said with a bitter look on her face.
"Because Celestine wishes to fix her mistakes," was his answer. "Starting by bringing you back to her."
She looked at him, slight surprise on her expression.
"So has she finally broken out of her naïveté?" she pondered. "This is quite the turn of events."
"She has learned more, but she is still the benevolent ruler that I pledged to," Nirvos commented.
Olga remembered the friendship she had shared with the high elves goddess. She remembered her vow of peace within Eostia. However, she scowled when she did not wish to execute those slavers. To hear that she had changed her outlook made her wonder.
"If what you say is true, then you will take me to her to meet her so that I can see for myself," she declared.
"Does that mean..." he trailed off.
She gave him a seductive smirk. "I, Olga Discordia, fully give my surrender. Therefore, my life is in your hands."
Her smirk turned into a glare. "Do not make me regret this decision."
Nirvos sighed in relief. Mission accomplished.
Suddenly, the doors slammed opened as Volt had arrived.
"Nirvos! What happened here?" Volt called out, his broadsword hoisted on his shoulder.
Both of them turned to see him arrive. Olga had a deep scowl on her face while Nirvos's eyes narrowed.
"Volt," he began. "Lady Discordia has finally surrendered."
Volt smirked. "That's a relief. Wouldn't want to put an ugly scar on her pretty little head."
"However, we aren't going to take any chances."
With a snap of his finger, the Black Dog grunts dragged out someone.
"Let me go, you insufferable humans!" The voice was feminine and younger.
The prisoner was a dark elf girl. She seemed to be around her late teens, had a lithe figure, lighter skin that seemed close to tan, red eyes and platinum blonde hair that was tied into a ponytail on the left side.
She wore a dark purple jacket that covered her shoulders and upper arms with a black cape that hung over her right side. She even had the same tattoo as Olga had underneath her naval. The corset was connected to her thongs and leggings by red straps in a garterbelt-like fashion. Worn with her purple leggings was a pair of brown boots.
This must be her bodyguard.
"My lady, forgive me!" She exclaimed through grit teeth.
Nirvos saw that Olga's expression grew with worry.
"Chloe," the queen muttered quietly.
"Heh, and she put up quite a fight too. A shame that didn't last," Volt remarked.
"Let her go now, human!" Olga demanded as her staff began to light up.
"Or what?!" Volt challenged. "Want me to slit your bodyguard's throat before you can conjure up a spell?"
"My lady, please! Do not worry about me!" Chloe exclaimed. "Fight back!"
"Hush! The adults are talking!" Volt hissed as he pulled her by the ponytail.
"KYA!" Chloe screamed out in pain.
"Damn you, Volt!" Olga seethed in rage as her staff began to light up even more. "Stop this at once!"
"C'mon! I dare you to try and blow me away to kingdom come!" The Black Dog leader grinned.
"That's quite enough."
That one calm statement caused everyone to turn to Nirvos. His eyes were still narrowed as he stared at Volt.
"Volt, you've had your fun. Lady Discordia has given her word that she has surrender. I would advise you to return her retainer at once," Nirvos said.
"I'll give her back," Volt smirked. "As long as she surrenders her staff to us."
Olga growled in anger. "What makes you think I would just give my staff away?!"
"Remember, it's your staff or her life," The Black Dog leader reminded.
Nirvos frowned at the hostage situation. She had surrendered, so why torment and mock her? He moticed that Olga's face had paled at that challenge.
The staff was the source of her powers, but Chloe was very important to her. She could not decide, but in the end, she made the choice.
Clenching her hold, Olga had reluctantly handed the staff over to them.
"Thank you!" Volt exclaimed, his tone mocking the former queen. "Kin!"
"As you wish," the magician said as he took the staff.
"Ah, the Royal Scepter of the Dark Elves," Kin mused. "I can't wait to research it's dark magical properties."
With that, he walked over to Olga and placed a collar around her neck.
"Don't touch her, filth!" Chloe growled, but she still couldn't move. Olga continued to glare at her captors.
"What collars are those?" Nirvos asked.
"These collars prevent any magic from being used from the mental energy," Kin explained. "For example, telepathy or telekinesis. Especially mind reading."
"Ah."
"Take these two to the dungeons," Volt ordered. "We'll keep them down there until everything's fine and dandy."
With that, the Black Dog grunts drag them away. Olga turns back and gives Nirvos a small pleading look as she is lead away.
With that, all that was left in the throne room was Volt and Nirvos.
"Was that all part of your plan?" Nirvos questioned.
"Yep! The queen's almost like Celestine, so why not use that weakness against her!" Volt answered. "And it worked like a charm."
"Well, I need to make the preparations for the departure," Nirvos stated.
Volt frowned. "Now hold on there. We already made it here. All we gotta do is check this place out before we can leave."
"And how long will that be?" Nirvos asked.
"Three days," Volt answered. "But don't worry. There's bound to be treasure all over this place."
"Can I at least order my men to return to Ken? One of my soldiers is wounded," Nirvos requested.
Volt thought about it before he shrugged. "Sure, why not?"
A thought had occurred in Nirvos's head.
"I have one more question I need you to answer," he said.
Volt groaned. "What's with all the questions? You sound like a guard! But fine. What is it?"
"Who was the defector?" He asked.
"That would be me."
Nirvos turned to see a familiar face...and a familiar sword.
"Garokk?!" The strategist knight exclaimed in surprise.
"Fancy meeting you on the same side," The death knight grinned.
"He's your inside man?!" Nirvos questioned in disbelief.
"Surprised? I know I was," Garokk said. "Looks like we'll be fighting on the same side."
"You said it!" Volt exclaimed. "Come on! Let's go celebrate! Nirvos, you joining us or what?"
"I'll be there in a minute," Nirvos answered. "Don't wait up on me."
And thus, he was alone in the throne room. That, until his men had appeared. Ramsey was being carried by Alcott.
"Did you hear all that?" Nirvos asked.
They all nodded.
"You're all to return to Ken as soon as possible. Make sure Ramsey is taken to the healers," he ordered.
"Sir!" They exclaimed as they went off.
Nirvos looked down at his fist, clenching it tightly. The war was finally over.
But why does he feel that an omen is coming?
XXX
A/N: And I finally finished the chapter! It takes a lot to write.
The minimum words for each chapter I'm going for it 5000, so I'm going to have to write a lot. That means longer updates since I have other fics that I want to update.
On the other hand, this story is my top priority.
Leave suggestions or comments in the reviews or PMs. If you have criticisms or other things I can expand on, send it to me as well so that I can modify and expand the chapter!
For the eight soldiers, they're the equivalent to generic NPCs. Same character model and same voice. However, they'll be relevant combat-wise. But I will indulge in little backstory.
Nirvos's Bodyguard Unit:
- Conner Declan. The captain of the unit and a lieutenant of Nirvos. He wields an axe and a shield. A former soldier on the front, he was promoted after leading a successful second wave charge during the battle of Lucull.
-Martijn Ramsey. The scout speedster. He wields a shield and a dagger. A former thief, he was sentenced to community service under the bodyguard unit. He managed to trigger several ambushes on the traitorous viceroy during the battle of Lucull.
-Pauliano Alcott. The jack-of-trades. He wields a javelin and shield. An ex-member of the militia and former gladiator, he caused a major malfunction within the enemy pirate's ship by jamming one of his javelins into the rudder.
-Greyham Stannis. The rear guard and marksman. He wields a bow. An ex-assassin, he traded in his daggers for clean kills. Assassinated 20 bandit leaders.
-Kareen Novelsky. The brute. He wields a chain flail and shield. Fought alongside Nirvos since the foundation of his military unit.
-Barnus Clyvayle. The swordsman. He wields a longsword. A former bandit, he redeemed himself by rescuing Nirvos from an ambush in the outskirts of Feoh.
-Edgewick Brineley. The skilled warrior. He wields a halberd. A former traveler, he has gained a record of 215 duel victories and 12 losses.
-Gabriel Forrester. The muscle. He wields a battlehammer. A part-time blacksmith, he has smashed the skulls of 126 imps, 76 goblins, 103 orcs, 154 ghouls, 65 ogres and 236 other enemies. Oh, and he skinned a demon.
I'll see you all next time.