Chapter 10 : Final Battle
It was time to move. The night had fallen one hour ago, and the five of them were prepared. They had covered themselves with coats, and left the inn with their weapons hidden under them. They hadn't left anything of value in their rooms, for they would most probably never came back. Duke led them the group in the city's streets, taking small passages instead of bigger roads. He knew where most of the soldiers were posted and patrolling (it hadn't changed much from five years ago, for the most part) and took care to avoid them. They arrived at the sewers' entrance first, and went in to wait for the four other groups.
They hadn't to wait for long. Ten minutes later, Phaeroh's team descended the sewers' ladder, closely followed by Geridas and his group. The two other one came only five minutes later, one led by Gusios, the other by a red haired woman who looked too much like a female version of Phaeroh for comfort.
"Alright." Elucifer said, his voice as low as possible. "Before going, everyone will tell what they have learned about Alexei's minions. Geridas, begin."
"We didn't find many things, but I know that a violet haired noble, named Cumore, is suspiciously closed to the Commandant. He is a captain in the knights, and I know where to find him. I suspect his sister to be at least allied to him, and maybe one of the demons as well."
"Phaeroh ?"
"I found out about Cumore too, and about two other suspicious people. Two nobles always following Alexei in all his decisions. They live in the castle, which is rather suspicious, as they should at least go back to their mansions from time to time. I located the nobles' quarters on the map. My group can go there."
"Gusios, what did you find ?"
"Nothing much. Only one man, Ragou, who is in charge of some city out there. He is here now, through, so we'll be able to strike at him."
"And you, Larisa ?" Elucifer finally addressed the final team's leader.
"People have been talking about a mad man living in the castle. I think his name is Zagi. If the demon which entered his mind was too strong, it would explain his madness. He will be a tough opponent, but I think my group can manage."
"Alright. I learned about one man also, Barbos. As he is neither noble nor knight, people have been wondering what he was doing in the castle. I think he is one of them. You'll probably find him near Zagi, as the same people were saying he was commanding some madman. Each of you, go to your designated target now. Good luck to you all."
"And good luck to you, Highness. After all, we're leaving you the demon's master." Geridas replied.
With that they made their way to the castle entrance, again waiting some time before a group had departed to go as well. Elucifer's group was last, as they would have to wait for the majority of the minions to die before taking action. They stayed in the sewers for a time, then Elucifer motioned for them to move. They had a long way to go.
Elucifer cast a spell around them, which surrounded them in shadow like magic. With that, as long as they stayed in the shadows, far enough from the light, they would be invisible to any human. After that, Duke took the lead. Salen had studied the maps and most probably learned them by heart, but only Duke knew the place first hand. As a child, he had come often with his parents more some diplomatic trip, and he had played hide-and-seek with enough maids (with the help of other noble's children) to know where to hide now. But now, it wasn't just a matter of being scold for leaving his assigned room without telling. If they were caught now, it was death which awaited them.
They followed stairs toward the ground floor. There weren't any soldiers guarding the door to it (thanks to one of the groups, as it was normally guarded by two knights). They continued down an unlighted corridor, where one knight was patrolling. They passed him, staying in the shadows, when the man was looking in boredom through a window. Night watch was always calm (normally). There wasn't any noble to accompany to one point to another, and no one who entered the castle (who would be foolish enough ?) and so the soldiers, instead of being more alert like they should be, tended to let their guard down. It was all the better for them.
They soon arrived to another fly of stairs leading to the first floor. But before he could begin to climb, Elucifer stopped him. At his interrogating look, he murmured a "demon near" and motioned for the group to stay where they were. Then he slowly gathered some magic (too quickly, it would attract attention from the demon's attention, as Duke had learned from Khroma), waiting for the demon to come down. It wasn't long. A man (?) wearing pink armor (that hurt the eyes) and harboring long violet hair came down, followed by two guards. From Geridas' description, he had to be Cumore. Duke didn't know him, and was glad for it. How far had the knights fallen ?
Cumore stopped at the end of the stairs, and yelled in frustration to his subordinates.
"Why isn't there light here ? You idiots ! Do you want me to fall off the stairs ?"
"But sir, it's just that... the castle is low on candles right now, so..."
"I don't care about your stupid excuses !"
By that time, Elenith had positioned herself behind one soldier, and Duke behind the other. Elucifer aimed at the pink demon, and motioned for them to strike. The two soldiers' corpses hadn't fallen to the ground that the surprised captain was paralyzed on it. He seemed to struggle against the magical ropes, and tried to scream, but he couldn't move. As Elucifer bent down to finish him, he could see the fear in his eyes. He didn't waste time, and cut the man's throat. There would be no mercy on the demons. When he had finished, he took the body, and Duke and Elenith did the same with theirs, as Khroma opened a door near leading to some unoccupied room. They hid the bodies in the nearest wardrobe (large enough to contain the three corpses. It was a noble's room, after all) and went back to the stairs. At least, there was one demon dead.
In the next hour when they slowly and cautiously advanced in the castle, they didn't encounter other demons in human bodies. But Salen, with his highly receptive senses, made them know that three of them had died. They couldn't know which ones, but at least they would know when they would be able to attack. And nobody had been discovered yet (and never, they could hope). Half of the minions were dead, but it wasn't enough to attack.
When they neared Alexei's room, they stopped and looked at Salen, but the Entelexeia didn't bring out another death. They would have to wait. They went back, and always walking in the shadows, they entered a room Duke knew was used as a storage room. It was a safe place. Elucifer cast a little spell to soundproof it.
"I'm not sure Alexei is here." He said. "The room has the dark aura of a demon, but it isn't strong enough. Something tell me he's not here. Duke, do you know where he could be at such an hour ?"
It was past two in the morning, so he couldn't be in his office. He should have been in his room. If he wasn't...
"He must have sense his minions' deaths."
"Impossible. Demons can't feel auras. So Alexei can't know. If he did, we would have the castle garrison trying to kill us. Salen, can you feel anything out of place ?"
"No. I feel the four remaining auras of the minions, and an aura coming from the Commandant's room. But you are right, Highness, it isn't strong enough."
"Four auras ? Is one of them stronger than the others ?" Khroma asked.
"Yes." The Entelexeia answered after a while. "In a room four corridors from here." He tried to situate it with his mental map.
"Dein Nomos chambers." Duke pointed out. "Could it be that he felt the sword ?"
"If it's the case, we're in deep shit." Elenith pointed out.
"Let's go. We can't back down now. If he's waiting for us, then so be it."
WMWMW
As they neared their target's position, Salen gestured for them that another demon was dead. So there was only one left then ? But where was the last one, and where was the missing one ?
There were two guards in front of the door, and they couldn't avoid them. So Elenith and Duke took care of them quietly and quickly. They couldn't hide the bodies now, through. Khroma took the door's handle, and, looking at them to see if they were ready, pushed it open. The five of them cautiously entered the room, which was completely dark. Khroma closed the door, and cast a spell to lock it. There was no movement in the room. Duke prepared his sword, and gestured for Elenith to do the same. And all of a sudden, the large room was lightened. Semi-blinded by the sudden light, they had to take a few seconds for their eyes to adjust. When they did, they saw who they had come to kill in front of them. Alexei, or more likely the demon wearing his body, smiled at them, and clapped his hands as if for applaud. Looking at him, Duke could see no sign of the demon in him. No yellow eyes and sharp teeth like he had seen in his dream.
"Well, well, if it isn't my dear king ? And with the Emperor's murderer, nonetheless. Hello, Lienzo, how are you ?"
He turned toward Duke with a smile.
"You have no right to call me by that name anymore, Alexei. Or whatever your demonic name."
"Do not be so quick to just. I am what always was. The demon, as you call him, just showed me better ways to accomplish my goals. And this accomplishment pass by your deaths, and the use of Dein Nomos. But thanks to you, my dear duke, I'll be able to do both in one blow. But let us skip further discussion. You will die here and now !"
With that, he sent a blast of dark energy toward them, forcing them to scatter to avoid the blow. Fortunately, the room was large enough to maneuver, or they would have been crushed. Elenith ran toward her enemy, counting on the others to cover for her. Elucifer did the same from where he was, taking out his large sword. Alexei didn't do anything against their attack. But as they neared him, Elenith was blocked by some shield which sent her flying, and the demon blocked the king's charge with his sword.
Duke took out his bow, and aimed at his enemy who, surprised by the attack, had to step back to avoid a blow from Elucifer. By that time, Salen and Khroma had had time to prepare their spells. Khroma cast a blast of wind, reinforced with light coming from Salen. The powerful attack hit Alexei with full force, and sent him flying through the air. But as he stood up, he harbored no sign of damage, apart from one or two tears in his coat.
"How can this be ?" Khroma was wide-eyed. Light should do many damages on a demon or on a possessed man.
"Oh, I just took the liberty to copy some things from Dein Nomos."
With that, he raised his sword, and Duke sense his own react to it, analyzing the new threat. This sword harbored magic in it, like Dein Nomos.
"Elucifer, the attack, that day... It wasn't to kill you, but to capture you." He saw Alexei smile at him. "He wanted your magic for this sword."
"Yes, exactly. You've always been more intelligent than people thought. It's a shame I have to kill you. You could have been of great use. You are right, I used the powers of the Entelexeia I captured to create this sword. I would have prefer the king, as Dein Nomos contains an Entelexeia king's magic, but I did with what I had. I have the powers of a demon and of an Entelexeia. Isn't it wonderful ?"
"You are mad !" Elucifer interjected. "If magic has been hidden from humanity, it is because you can't use it properly. You think you control it ? But it is the demon ! He is making you do whatever he wishes !"
Alexei only ignored him, and cast a spell at him. Elucifer only had time to create a shield, and then he was enveloped in some black fireball. Duke, using the distraction of his target, teleported himself behind him, and tried to strike at the man's shoulder. But he sensed it, and turned, Dein Nomos only cutting his arm. The former noble only had time to dodge as another spell flied at him. But Elenith, healed by some other spell, was already charging at the demon, who, this time, hadn't time to dodge quickly enough, and a sword pierced his leg. But as the woman withdrew, preparing another attack, she saw that the wound was already healing.
"Shit !" She swore.
How could they kill the man when he was healing himself as soon as he got hurt ? But looking at the small wound Duke had managed to do, she saw it was still bleeding. The magical sword's damages couldn't be healed by the demon's magic. That was good to know. She pointed it to, Duke, who nodded.
"Create an opening for me." He asked while Alexei was again occupied by Khroma and Salen's spells.
She ran toward the man again, but as he prepared to protect himself with a shield, she managed to unbalance him a little, destroying his concentration. She attacked him with all she had, and Duke teleported himself behind the Commandant, who had the time to react as Dein Nomos pierced his left shoulder. In a burst a magic, he sent both swordsmen away from him, but as he tried to heal himself again, he found out he couldn't.
"Well, it seems like you aren't protected from every magic." Elucifer smiled.
The non elemental magic of Dein Nomos wasn't something the demon could recognize and heal, it seemed. Alexei cursed a little, but didn't seem to admit defeat yet. He smiled, and, closing his eyes, seemed to concentrate on something. But when he opened them again, his eyes had become of a bright yellow color.
"You haven't won yet. I will defeat you with the help of Beowulf !"
With that, he cast a powerful looking spell, the darkest aura coming from it. Immediately, Elucifer and Salen cast another spell, which would be a shield. But even with it, as Alexei unleashed the spell, the five warriors felt themselves being thrown toward the nearest wall. What was this magic ? Standing with difficulty, Duke saw that Salen and Khroma didn't move anymore. Were they only unconscious, or did they die ?
"What is it that you want ? Do you really still believe in your dream, so long ago ? Do you believe you can make the Empire a peaceful place with those powers ?" Duke asked, wanting to make the man talk, to let the others the time they needed to recover.
"All I did those past years was in that goal." Alexei answered. "I have one of the most powerful demon's power. Once I can take Dein Nomos, I'll have the power of an Entelexeia king. And the Empire, who has sought a new Emperor for so much time, will finally have one. In this position, I will finally be able to fulfill this dream."
"How so ? How can power make peace ?"
"At first, there will be war. The Krytians, the Entelexeia... all those magical creatures, who feel so superior to us because we have no magic. I will crush them with this power, and with the army I'll create with it. Maybe I should begin with the Entelexeia. After their king will have died today, it should be easy enough. And the, when humanity will finally reach its rightful place as the most powerful race, when it will have nothing to fear, then people will be able to live in peace."
Elucifer had healed Elenith and Khroma by the time the Commandant had finished. He didn't do anything for Salen, and Duke realized the man had died from the earlier spell. He had to do something. Dein Nomos powers could hurt the demon much more than others, but he only knew a handful of its powers. But maybe he could use the few he knew. He launched himself at the madman. But as soon as the man went to protect himself, he teleported himself behind him and slashed at his back. Elucifer used the surprise effect to cast a fire spell at Alexei, preventing him from reacting quick enough to block the two attacks.
But Alexei ignored the spell, only casting a minor shield, knowing Dein Nomos' powers were much more destructive for him. He attacked Duke, who, surprised the man had reacted so quickly, dodged with difficulty, getting a slash on his arm in the process. Using it, the demon attacked again, and Duke hadn't the time to protect himself this time. Dein Nomos flew out of his hand, and he was thrown to the ground. Before he could stand, Alexei put his sword under his throat.
"Do not move, Your Highness." He said to Elucifer, who was about to slash at him.
The Entelexeia, through obviously angered, complied, feeling he had no choice. How this one man had overpowered them so easily ? Elenith was sending her king interrogative looks, waiting for his orders. Khroma didn't move, her magic too low to do anything to help now.
Duke saw Dein Nomos, at the other side of the room, and made up his mind. It would be a dangerous move, with Alexei's sword under his throat, but he could do nothing else. If he didn't move, Elucifer wouldn't either, and he would be killed. Alexei was looking down at him now, smiling and showing his teeth.
"Well, well, Lienzo. It seems I'll finally kill the last of the Pantarei. I didn't think it would be possible one day, to tell the truth."
He went to cut his throat, and Elucifer cast a spell at him, in a desperate attempt to kill the demon before he could kill his lover. But then Alexei stopped, a look of surprise in his eyes. He had time to look at his chest, pierced by Dein Nomos, and then he was engulfed in a powerful fireball. He hadn't time to protect himself, and wouldn't have been able to do so anyway, Dein Nomos having pierced his heart. He cried out in vain, unable to do anything, and he fell to the ground.
Nobody moved for a time, looking at Alexei's body, like it was about to move again. But it didn't, and after a time, Elenith released the breath she had hold, and lowered her weapons.
"Is it... finished ?" She asked.
"Yes, it is. We are safe." Khroma smiled.
Elucifer went toward his lover, helping him out to his feet.
"Well, I think it is done now. Maybe you'll be able to wash off this horrible color from your hair." He joked, because it seemed to be the only thing he could do instead of kissing him right there and now.
Duke looked at the body of his enemy, burnt and miserable. He wondered how a man with so many dreams for his country could have become like that, power-hungry and evil. Was it only the demon's doing, or did Alexei already have some madness in him ? He sighed, and bent to take Dein Nomos. The sword was intact, even after its exposure to fire magic. He cleaned the blood on it, and sheltered the blade.
"We should go now." He reminded the others.
"Alright. Let's go home."