空とロマンス
Sola to Romansu (Sky and Romance)
Return of the Legendary Heroes
3rd Arc: Attack of the Nightwitchers
Chapter 54: Standing strong in spite of the Chaos unleashed.
Within her chamber in the Castle of Prairie,
Terria´s Pov:
I´ve seen death and destruction before, but never in such an amount….., the stench of burnt corpses and gunfire, of blood and death, it was so strong that one single breath threatened to make me lose my mind in ultimate desperation.
It all started as I woke up from my Slumber, after the attack in the afternoon…, if I thought to have already seen the most gruesome sight today, with that thing killing the Father and the Father, mutated, killed the mother, then I was dead wrong.
A scream from outside the castle-walls, far into the town but still clearly audible, that was what woke both me and Cyan up, the same had dozen off while looking over me, of course we were confused…, had we just imagined it…
But with the first explosion the assumption suddenly became reality, there had been a scream, and where that one came from, many more followed, even after the loud noise of an explosion, could we hear the screams of the tormented even before we saw the fire blazing.
With the coming of the moonless night, true terror fell upon Prairia…., like snow in the winter…., and it was quite sure that the other Islands would not be in any better Situation right now.
It was hardly believable that they would only attack Prairia and spare all the other Islands, if they would not count with massive consequences…, sure ultimately they could do that, keep us in custody to threaten the public and keeping them from acting…., but in the end they would have to count with a rebellion sooner or later, for we were ready to die for our home.
If we were out of the way the revolution would rise sooner than the enemy would think, of course I know that there would be mourning, for that my father was still a good king, honoured and acknowledged as a great man, but our death would only make us martyrs…., spurring on the flame of revolution.
I was sure that the Enemy was well aware of that fact.
This here had not been a simple attack on the go, even if rashly executed was there a bigger plan behind the enemy's strategy, they came to conquer not to destroy…., at least not so early.
And with the knowledge of Shepherds attacking, it was sure that we were neither the last nor the ultimate goal of the Enemy, it was most likely that they try to seize control of all the Regions of Tailsworld, before their master-plan came into action.
However had I no idea what this Master-plan might be and were it would lead us.
Either an Age of dictatorship, us living in enslavement…, or an Age of War, until the extinction of one side, ours or theirs.
One thing was clear, as a Member of the royal Family I was not allowed to die so early, especially not when I was the only Heir to the throne.
Given the case we would survive this and regain our freedom and independency, if the Royal Bloodline has died out…., there would be no leader for the Kingdom of Prairie anymore.
And without a clear leader, the People would be in disorder and might fight for the supremacy of the Kingdom.
As long as there was a clear Leader with the best interest of everybody in mind, things were peaceful, even with those minor skirmishes during the year, rebellions were easily dissolved and even criminal organization weren´t strong enough to pose a true threat to the peace.
Ever since 4 years at least, the greatest threat to our Kingdom had clearly been the rise of the Iron Giant and the terrorizing of the people through the Black-Cat gang.
But even these cases we have overcome…, some more, while others less successful, yet the Hound-Clan´s reign is still standing as steadfast as ever.
The Hound Monarchy was established around 150 years ago, probably shortly after the Battle of the Two Giants, the Iron Giant and the Black Colossus, back when the castle was rebuild and so also the Kingdom.
It was said that the royal Hound-Bloodline came out of the bloodline of Prince Reeve Shepherd, the Son of King Reinheart Shepherd who had wandered out towards Prairie at some point in history, marrying the eldest daughter of the wealthy Duke Hamish Hound, Elysia Hound.
Queen Eldora Shepherd was the last Queen of the Shepherd Kingdom before it became a mere Republic, after the Shepherd Revolution, King Reinheart Shepherd was her younger Brother.
Originally the First Royal Pair of the Shepherd Kingdom, King Borealis Shepherd and Queen Aurora, had been nominated as such by none other than King Maranell Wolvenra himself who promoted them from their former rank as Duke and Duchess.
At least so it was been written in the history books, fact is that no one really knew if the King was even still alive, although it seemed that Chamberlain still believes that the King would someday reappear.
Fact is, someone of the bloodline of the Wolvenras gave them this Title.
Prior to these days, they were basically only one pair out of many Royals of Lunaris, however their faith and their trust in their folk was extraordinary, they fought to defend their Home and their People and the People prayed for them and aided them as best as they could.
They were later known as the Glorious Knight and the Iron Maiden, for their iron will and rock-hard endurance during these dark years.
Word of their Achievements reached also towards the Capitol of Lunaris and, as our assumption tell us, so also the Supreme-King Maranell Wolvenra, who then called out to them and they were promoted with one of the highest honour a Knight and Valkyrie can gain, despite not being a Clan of the Seven Swords or of any well-known Dukedom.
After the War, in which many of the old Royal houses perished or were enslaved, they were one of only a few who survived and managed to bring their folk towards Shangri-La in safety.
King Maranell then offered them the Position as King and Queen of the newest Region, created through the fallen pieces of Shangri-La, after the same rose into the sky while Ragnarök fell.
To be honest I once idolized Queen Aurora…, my mother, Queen Aurelia, had been quite similar, she was a strong woman and spoke always with pride about our Ancestry, she was known as the best fencer in the whole Kingdom of Prairie, a talent which even put the most strongest and skilled Knight into the shadow.
She was the Beacon-light of our Kingdom, which shone upon it and gave the people a reason to rejoice.
However she died far too soon, about 5 years after my birth, after a visit around the Kingdom, on an unknown sickness which she caught from a foreign creature, which had woken from Cryostasis, after being trapped into the ice of Coolant since ancient times and having woken, as the same melted due to still unknown reasons.
Some rumours told about a conspiracy and an assassination…, but could it really be…, my mother was not a person who would gain enemies, she was the kindest and most righteous person I knew.
Ultimately the loss of my mother and the loneliness due to my busy father always being at work, unable to even take the smallest interest in what I did, well or not, tainted my character into a negative way.
Only Chamberlain was at my side …, well Cyan too but he already became a snob by that time, not that I was any different, selfishness and hidden mockery as well as spite towards other people, especially towards happy and functional families, became my constant companion.
False kindness, with ulterior motives, hidden underneath a pretty smile, was soon added to the mix, creating the Character of the Princess Terria which I still had been 4 years ago.
Until I found a hero, a person, even though male, who reminded me on how my mother had once been, it showed me of how far I had strayed from the path I had wished myself to walk when I was still a child, suddenly my future became uncertain to me, if Waffle was a man so strong of character, then where would I end up if I would grow further into my bad character.
Would I end up as a tyrant-Queen?
I think this thought was what grew in myself the wish to change and to get back on the right path.
I can say with right, that I at least managed to take the first few steps into the right direction, still it might last a while until I would be able to clearly say that I once again walk the right path.
However the question I was asking myself right now, was if I would manage to stay true to myself, on this new path I walked, when all around me hellfire and monsters lurked.
"Can I remain strong even after my Home has fallen, do I have the strength to raise it again, to not succumb to my own sorrow and despair, over all the lives that had yet again been lost through a near unpredictable event?!" I thought to myself as I walked, with the children on my side, down the secret stairs of this tower.
To say that the passage was as narrow as any possible was an underestimation, we had a hard time to bring father, without giving him even more pain, down so far.
He was heavy…., he was well fed and rarely did any sport, even though he was not fat was he heavy enough to break the back of two men at once, when they would try to lift him up.
To try to bring that man, who already suffered under the greatest pain, down a spiral staircase where the steps were perhaps 30 cm large and only about 10 cm deep, was anything but easy.
The men spoke with each other, to coordinate their descend, to put as less strain onto father as possible.
But still I feared that this would only bring him further towards death´s door.
"Your father will be alright!" Cyan stated as he gently pressed my hand, which he offered me to hold on and to not fall down the stairs, but I think it was more for giving me mental support, to tell me that there was someone who cared, who held out a hand for me.
Someone who knew exactly how I felt just by looking at me, someone who understood me.
"Can we really be that sure…, he is not the youngest anymore and the wounds are deep…., if only I would have been stronger, I could have defend him!" I stated as I thought back towards my insufficient sword-fight-skills, after interrupting my entire training for nearly 7 years and only restarting it 4 years ago, was I the least prepared for a real battle, at least in my eyes.
"That's not true my Princess…., if anything then I should have be stronger to defend both of you, as it is my reason to live, I should have been the one who defended you all…., I should have been the one to stay behind…, not him!" Cyan stated as he grabbed the sword in his hand a little tighter…, it was a gift from his father, the Blade given from generation to generation, from Father towards Son, within the Garland-Clan, it was one of the Original Seven Swords…, a Parting Gift, for the same did not planned with his return.
"He was so much stronger, if it were only for a distraction then I would have been enough, he would be far stronger and could better defend you than I could ever do so!" Cyan stated as he walked in front of me, but alone the thought of that made me incredibly sorrowful…., and angry.
I pulled him harshly back almost causing him to fall, he looked at me in shock before backing away as I looked with angry mine up towards him, even without the stairs was he still about 10 cm taller than me.
"That's not true, stop talking as if I was worth to die for, I don´t want anyone to freely die for my sake, for my mere survival…., have you an idea how much it would hurt me if you would die, Cyan.
If you would stop to exist….., if you would be gone and all just so I could live…, what would my life be without you…, a dull existence, nothing more and nothing less.
Sure I would still have my folk and my responsibility to keep me going…, but how can a woman be happy, without her one and only on her side?!" I stated to him in desperation as the tears fell, he blushed deep red, same as everybody else.
I said it in contrast to my own words from before, I told myself not so long ago that I might have a crush on Cyan but when I should be honest I was far beyond that.
I depended on him, his friendship and admiration, his unyielding loyalty and his wish to protect me rose in me the wish to become the best princess and Future Queen possible, to become a light to show him the way through the darkness, him and everyone else.
But I also said a few things in contrast to my common sense and I said it myself, that it was necessary for us, My Father and I, to survive.
I knew it in theory, just as I was taught it in my private lessons…, but let´s be honest, reality was never as it was written in a book, in reality I hated the mere thought of someone dying right in front of me, even if it was to defend me, to preserve my life.
Even though the very situation just had happened not so long ago…, someone, in this case Cyan´s Father, Sir Cerulean Garland and Sir Sebastian Chamberlain stayed behind to intercept the enemy and drive him away…, was it nothing but a Suicide-tactic, even if some people would consider it necessary for the survival of the Royal Bloodline.
The enemy was too strong in numbers to be sure they could fight them all off on their own, Chamberlain hadn´t fought a battle since many years and yet he still moved as agile as if he was 20-30 years younger, and still…, I doubt it was enough to stop a man who could hold another men in the air, 50 cm above ground, just by his throat.
And still they tried it, foremost Chamberlain.
The same gave me meanwhile his own treasure, the Crystal Radio, to ask for help from Holy League, so he said, in this most dire time….., as well as his Clan´s sanctuary, the Sword of the Chamberlain Clan.
Another One of the Original Seven Swords.
At the question of why I should receive this precious sword, he only stated that since he had no heir to give it to, he would give it away to someone befitting of its power, that the Sword hears the call of the desperate and acts upon it, that it would be the evidence of the Alliance with her Majesty, the Lunar King…, and also to make sure it would not be lost into history or in the wrong hands, that the Sword was too precious to be lost.
That this sword was so much more than visible on the first glance, that it still had a bigger role to play, a role which should be fulfilled soon.
"Sebastian and Cerulean…., They stayed behind so we could live on to share our wisdom with the future generations, if I would not be the only one who can help you decipher the ancient Language and scripts, which we will encounter at this altar, then I too would have stayed back and taking up the fight!" Russel explained as he walked further down the stairs.
"Waffle my dear Grandson, I hope you make it into safety…., in his darkest hour, this kingdom really needs a hero like you, people with a lot of courage and a freshness to them, which can change the entire Kingdom….
Sebastian, Cerulean, myself and even King Hound the 3rd , we are old and we did many things in our life, some good and others not so…, but one thing is for sure…, the Future belongs to the New Kings and Queens, to you children…., I hope that I will be able to reach you and give you the one most important gift, our family´s heritage, before it might be too late for me!" He mumbled as he looked to the ground and once again I was reminded that this Attack was not just here but most likely everywhere in our kingdom occurring.
The memory of my guardian and our Kingdom´s Strongest Knight fighting for us, was still right before my very eyes.
And my worry for everyone in this Kingdom was unable to be calmed, I feared for all of them, especially for Waffle, Russel is right, in such dire times we will need a Hero like him, but right now it was not the time to think of heroes and so on.
Right now I had to concentrate on surviving and not render the Sacrifice the Two Knights had made, to ensure our safety, being in vain.
The sight of the backs of them two was still there, clearly in my mind, so also their words they had spoken to me.
Flashback, 3 hours ago:
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" It was a scream, although not mine, which woke me up that night, although I had only planned to take a small nap to get rid of my exhaustion from this afternoon, did I slept through 4 hours straight.
"Cyan?!" I asked groggily.
"Nnnhhnn?!" A murmured reply answered my question as I looked to the side to seeing him sitting in a chair, his sword on his lap, his head on his chest, as if he had dozen off since a few minutes, but most likely he too had slept for a while now, the fights against these beasts must have been quite tiresome.
"Have you been here the whole time?!" I asked him as I wiped the sleep out of my eyes.
"Of course, how could I leave…., when you were so vulnerable…., I had to protect you!" He stated after he yawned.
I was confused of what he meant, before I felt something wet right at my pillow, I felt how my skin, right under my eyes, felt a little itchy, I touched just to acknowledge that I had cried, a look into my mirror, after lighting up the light, confirmed it.
I cried myself to sleep without noticing.
Cyan must have seen it and stayed at my side, to make sure that no harm befell me, just like a true knight would.
I blushed by the mere thought of it.
"T-thanks Cyan…, I…!"
"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!" Suddenly I heard a noise, from outside of my window.
"What is going on out there!?" Cyan asked himself as he stood up and looked outside.
"Huh…, oh shit, LADY TERRIA, GET DOWN!" He shouted as he rushed at my side and threw me of the bed rolling himself before landing on the ground, so that he was under me to cushion the impact, before rolling back over me, defending me with his body, pressing up on me, if the whole situation would not have gone so fast I might have blushed.
But Cyan´s acting was definitely not wrong, for not a second later I heard an Ear-deafening noise and I felt how tiny rocks hit my skin.
"What's going on here?!" I asked breathless as we stood up only to see that the windows all had shattered to pieces.
The Portrait of my mother lied on the ground, ripped to shreds by whatever caused half of the wall to cave in, driving me yet again the tears in my eyes.
"My Princess are you alright?!" I suddenly heard as the Door was opened with a rash gesture throwing it nearly into the wall.
In the doorframe stood no one else but Sebastian Chamberlain.
"Sir Chamberlain what´s going on here, don´t tell me….!" Cyan asked, before I could answer towards the old man.
"Thank God you two are unharmed, quick we have to hurry we must bring you to a safe place, the Island is getting attacked, the Guards are all out there fighting, the Castle might soon be attacked for real, right now it is only under fire of crosspieces, but as soon as they truly concentrate their bombardment at the Castle…., god alone knows what will happen but by then you must get away to a safe refuge!" Chamberlain explained as he gestured us to come and follow him.
"Wait what you mean, we are getting attacked?!" I asked him confused, my mind was still too groggy from the sleep to put two and two together.
"It´s just as I told you, just as you had predicted it, have we been attacked around half an hour ago, in the outskirts of the Island, they stormed the gates and invaded the town before making their way up here, luckily you father had already ordered to double the Guard duty to make sure to be prepared if something bad occurred.
For now we could intercept the enemy and holding him at bay in front of the Castle walls and into the furthest areas of the town, until most of the population is able to get away from here, but you have to go with them, you have to survive at all cost, that was your father´s wish!" Chamberlain explained as he rushed through the corridors of the Castle.
Suddenly another ear-deafening noise made us jump as yet again a part of the Wall and ceiling caved in this time right behind us.
"Hahaha,… where do you think you run to, you knew you could not hide yourself, Princess Terria!" A voice stated behind us and we practically spun around.
Right in front of us stood an Inuhito with a mad smile on his face and several fresh and bloody cuts, it was clear that he somehow just jumped through the window, behind him we could see a few men, most likely Soldiers of the Enemy, which looked at their leader in something like fear and respect.
Their Leader was a gruesome men, so much was clear from the air he radiated, he wore clothes like a punk but they gave his whole character something even more dangerous.
I was sure, just from the look at him and from the bloodlust he radiated, as well from the fact that he didn´t seemed to mind his injuries one bit, that the same was definitely no ordinary man, he might dress unconventionally to fool his opponent into underestimating him and into letting his guard down, but I was sure that this man was adapted to fighting others to the death.
Still his aggressive style was way too over the top for a mere Inuhito, he seemed to be under constant static, like someone who suffers on rabies, just that there were no signs for him to be sick in any way.
"Who are you, it´s the proper policy to introduce yourself, before addressing to someone else?" Chamberlain stated as he stepped forward, Cyan wanted to tell him to stand back, before he saw the Swords on Chamberlain´s hips as well as the one on his back.
Two Rapiers and a normal Sword.
"Well of course, if you wish to know the name of the Man who sends you to your maker, I am General Maxwell Murdock, also simply known as Mad Dog Maxy!" The same introduced himself with a self-pleased grin.
"I am told to be quite…, fanatically in combat as well as in the bed…, often succumbing towards my bloodthirst and my lust to rip thing´s in shreds…., be it corpses or the pussies of the Bitches back home!" The man stated and I was disgusted by his vulgarity.
"I wish you would refrain yourself from using such vulgar language, after all you are in the company of a proper Lady, a princess nonetheless!" Chamberlain stated calmly, as he drew his two rapiers.
Even though he still looked the same as before 4 years, did he seemed to have changed, he still was kind and knew how to keep the proper ethical code, even for a duel between men, but behind his words and voice and his gestures stood so much power, a force I had never recognized on him.
It seemed as if in these 4 hours as I slept, that Chamberlain had changed, that he somehow had found the resolution to fight, to give his everything, even his life, for the Kingdom and its people, for us all.
It was the tone a man used, when he was ready to fight and ready to die, while defending someone dear to him.
"Sir Cyan, I would to kindly ask you to bring the Princess away towards the Old Tower, into the highest chamber right under the roof, there she should light the two Lanterns to open the Towers secret, it is best to take Russel with you, he waits for you in the dining hall, we had set this up in case that something like this might happen!" Chamberlain stated.
"But what about you?!" I asked him as I wanted to reach for him but he shook his head.
"I am your Guardian, I always have been, but back then 4 years ago, as you were kidnapped…., I could not defend you…, this has haunted me ever since and so I began to train again, for being able to defend you the next time I will have the opportunity to do so.
It is my innermost wish for you to safe this country, I want to help you fulfilling your wish you once told me and which I promised you to help you fulfil it.
You wished to become a mighty Queen, just like the Iron Maiden, a hero, and so shall it be.
Therefore I cannot allow you to die here, you have to go on and become strong on your own, just like His Majesty, King Wolvenra, who came with nothing, and will most likely leave as the strongest, kindest and most righteous and most powerful king in history.
But as it is the matter with time, will the future sometimes give birth to even greater men and Women, Kings and Queens and I can clearly see you in front of me, standing in a radiant light, a kingdom which hails and worships you and where everybody is happy.
Maybe you have forgotten this dream and wish…, but I, in all this time, never have forgotten it…, I told myself that when the moment comes where you should regain your path you wanted to walk, I will make sure that you can remain to go on forever, until it is time, for you to pass on the sceptre to your rightful heir.
Cyan, protect the Princess, whatever it takes, make sure that she reaches this dream, you must bring her towards the sealed-chamber deep under the Castle, there on the Altar of the Cardinal Shield, the Crystals will be used to create a Key and the same is used to open the gates towards the Cardinal Guardians at Shangri-La, you must overcome the 5 Trials in order to re-power the crystals!" Chamberlain explained and I listened well, to not forget anything he said.
"This world has once again been plunged into a war and might only be saved by The Sacred Four!" Chamberlain stated.
"The sacred Four?!" Both Cyan and I asked dumbfounded.
"Indeed, Four persons with special attitudes, which are together known as The sacred Four, destined to save this world by prophecies, which had been spoken many centuries ago and most likely also again only recently.
I heard one such Prophecy myself, when I was young, back then I lived with my wife, before I came towards Prairia:
If someone disturbs the Harmony of Sun, Moon, Sky and Stars, this World will be plunged into Chaos once more, in its darkest hour when the flames of War are rising yet again, the old Guardians will rise to quell the fighting, but alone their strength will fail and thus the world shall turn to the Sacred Four.
Alone they can find their destinies foretold for them, as prophesied they will be absolving countless of trials over the course of their journey to free the tormented World, growing stronger upon them, they will gain all three, Wisdom, Courage and Power, and in the end they shall stand before the Greatest Evil this world knows.
However no one can tell yet if in the end victorious they will be, or if failing and dying shall be their destiny.
The Moon´s little star, the Scarlet Prince and his Crimson Knight shall arise from the crowd they had been living among, ignorant of their true destiny and step into the light which has been hidden from them for most of their lives, a light they have to regain to become a new, even brighter Moon!
The Sun´s heir, the new King of Abyssinia and his scaled wings, although separated and fighting battles away from home, shall regain his friends, his love, his dearest Partner and his path, and follow it to find his Ancestors heritage, a heritage which shall forever change his life!
The Valkyrie, the lost princess of Valhalla and her Jaden blade, ignorant of her true heritage shall she find her purpose in life, but she must make a momentous decision, which way will her heart follow, will she stay with her Guardian-Brother or will she go with her Blood, to live among them and to learn their ways and to become strong for both her loves?
And last but not least:
The tormented Magician, the Sorrowful Paladin and her Forces of Twilight, a Girl whose forces are for both, defending the loved ones and destroying the enemy, but are her forces really pure, when she herself is unsure about it, whether to curse or honour her magic, can others make the decision for her, or can she find the answer herself?
Here at the throne, where the silver sphere shines, you shall find the answers, which shall lead you to the salvation of Tailsworld and of the Beast-kind.
With the time passing, you shall find C.E.D., who will rise to fight once more, alongside the White Valkyrie and their Metallic Legion, to stop the Dark plague and the Lord of Chaos and it´s Apprentice.
To save the Land of the Sun above and the Land of the Moon beyond the clouds, the Nova Luna Rexio (the new Moon-King) and the Nova Solem Rexio (the new Sun-king) and all of their comrades, the new heroes to arise, will have to learn, of Leadership and Endurance, Friendship and Faith, Compassion and Justice, Light and Wisdom.
They must take part in the Cardinal Trials!" Chamberlain explained while Our enemy leaned at the wall as if he had all the time of the world, being certain to get us anyways, he even refrained his bloodthirsty foot-soldier from attacking to not break off Chamberlains speech.
"The Cardinal Trials!" I asked as I remembered to have heard him mumbling that before as Russel Ryebread spoke about the crystals.
"Indeed, there is an Old Speech, said to come from King Wolvenra himself, which speaks about it and which goes as following:
Where the dark Turtle roams the waters of the ocean and where the fiery bird greets the light of the Sun.
Where the bright Tiger wanders the plains of earth and where the fierce Dragon rides the storms in the sky.
There where these Creatures meet, there lies my last gift, Guarded by the Holy Wolf, residing in the Void, to prove those who wish to reign righteously.
Gather your comrades together and absolve our trials, for we shall prove if you are worth of the Gods' treasures, if you are worth to be rewarded with the Blessing of the Cardinal Guardians and if you are worth to be called Heroes and Royals of Tailsworld.
In order to free those tormented souls under the cloud-sea and save the People in the light of the Sun, those who lead the rebellion must be victorious, or else this world is doomed to fall for all eternity!" Chamberlain recited the old Speech.
"This Speech tells about the Trials given to the Kings and Queens of Tailsworld, approved by the Two Supreme Kings, the Trials which once all of the 20 Kings and Queens of the Celestial Order had to absolve.
Princess Terria you must reach the old Altar, the script will tell you about what to do with the crystals and what is required to find the way for where to go to, i´m sure you will find what is needed to initiated the Trials.
I am most certain that the Blessing of the Cardinal Guardians reefers towards the Ancient Shield which saved our Kingdom since 1500 years from the Lycanian rule.
Go, we will defend our land and home, we will make sure that Prairia still stands when you are back, go towards the exit to the backyard, towards the old tower right into the middle.
Towards the same tower your mother called her own, Light the Green Lanterns in the Highest Chamber, you will know which ones, then follow the path which will be unfolded to you.
Now…, Go!" Chamberlain stated and even if I knew why and what was at stake here, I could not let him here.
But I saw it in his eyes, he would not let us remain here, he would drive us away just so he could save us.
"Princess Terria, I beg you…, please do not watch this, go to fulfil your destiny and just remind yourself of me of how you knew me, not how I will be now!" Chamberlain stated with a softer tone and a last glance at me before he fully turned towards his opponents.
"Clap, clap, clap…., Well that surely was a nice speech, old Geezer, however do you honestly think I would let these Puppies get away.
I would be ashamed of myself if I would let a prey get away from me…., well unless I make sure I get a good piece of them before they do so!" Maxy stated as he left the wall he leaned on and stepped in front of Chamberlain, licking his lips in mad anticipation.
"Well I guess it would be idiotic to think that of someone like you, and I refrain you from calling me an Old Geezer…, I very well might be old, but I can assure you that I am still strong enough to put up a good fight!" Chamberlain stated as he engaged Maxy with his Rapiers, right after he took the sword from his back and tossed it over to me, luckily I caught it before it could hit the ground, it sure was light, even thought it was made of massive steel.
"My Princess may I ask a last selfish wish from you…, as you know have I neither Children nor Grandchildren, not even a nephew or a niece as much as I know, my bloodline will die out with my death.
Therefore I want you to find someone for me who can carry on the heritage of this Sword, someone who is righteous in his/her doing, someone who gives his/her everything for achieving his/her goals…., someone who has a lot of courage and Compassion.
It is one of the Original Seven Swords, so it surely will tell you, if your chosen one is righteous enough to become its new Master.
It has been given to me by my Father who got it from his Father, it has been inherited by the men of my Clan since my Ancestor, Altaris Chamberlain, the first Knight of the Seven Swords from our Clan, received it from his King.
This sword is too precious to be stolen by the Lycanians or to be lost in history, I am sure that it will be of great service to the one it choses, for this sword is so much more!" Chamberlain stated while he fought against Maxy and his men, with a strength and elegance, which I had never seen on this man before.
His hidden forces were truly outstanding, it was as if I would see my mother fighting, and now I was quite sure from whom she must have learned all of her skills.
"I will do so, if this is your wish…, but then at least promise me to remain alive, don´t you dare to die here, when I am back I demand to get brewed a fresh tea from you, got it!?" I stated with an imperial voice but with tears in my eyes and I saw how he snickered, while defending himself.
"Earl grey I assume…, very well…., as you wish, my Princess!" He stated as he managed to throw Maxy backwards with a Kick, as the same was about to advance forward to intercept us.
"Grrrr, how come this old Geezer is so strong, this is unheard off, I, Mad Dog Maxy, will not lose to a half dead old puppet!" The same stated in wrath as he began to fight with brute force rather than with a Plan, while Chamberlain had a hard time dodging his swings he still managed to drain Maxy´s stamina step by step.
"A Last thing before you go my princess, the Name of this Sword…, it´s called Agua-ferrum, the Water-Blade, said to be as light as a feather but as strong and robust, as a full-fledged blade.
Just like water is light, it is also destructive, with time it even bursts the hardest rock and carves deep scars into the earth which later become valleys.
The Force to shape the Land, this is what has been weaved into this blade, by the Taurhizas of Mina!" Chamberlain stated as he said the Name of the blade with so much respect, that it was incredible that he ever would let it go and give it away towards a Stranger.
I swore to myself to never give it away or to even lose it, until I have found the righteous new bearer.
"I will hold onto it until the day we meet again, Sebastian Chamberlain!" I stated to him.
"If nothing comes between, I surely will come to take it back, Princess Terria Hound!" Chamberlain snickered as he threw the mob of Lycanian Foot soldier off his blades as five of them at once attacked him with their swords as Maxy gave them the order.
"Now Go!" He shouted and we did as told, with heavy heart we turned around and made our way further towards the end of the Corridor into the Dining Hall, the same usually was heavily guarded, but now not a soul was to be found and as we arrived the door was tightly closed, we knocked and a familiar voice asked us in a riddle.
"Are you going to Scarborough Faire?
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme!" Father´s voice asked, it was from an old song my mother often sang to me as Lullaby.
"Remember me to one who lives there.
He once was a true love of mine!" I answered.
"Tell him to find me an Acre of Land.
Parsley, Sage Rosemary and Thyme!" His voice asked again.
"Between the seafoam and over the Sand.
Then he´ll be a true love of mine!" I answered.
"If he tells me he can't, then I'll reply.
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme!" Father continued.
"Let me know, that at least he will try.
Then he'll be a true love of mine!" I replied and I felt Cyan´s glance on me making me blushing.
"When you are done and finished your task.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme!" he stated, continuing our riddle.
"Come to me, for my hand you shall ask.
For then you'll be, a true love of mine!" I replied and before I could speak any further the Door was opened and strong arms embraced me.
"I´m so glad you are safe my dear Daughter, you must get away, you must live even if I die, no way in hell will I let you die here!" Father stated as he sat me down from his embrace, he looked at me and sighed with heavy heart before he gently ruffled my hair, upon closing the door behind Cyan.
"Terria, I know I was not always the best father…, ever since Aurelia died I could not look into your eyes, after all I was the one who asked her to come along on our visit even if it was not necessary at all.
I should have let her stay here with you, then she might have never died!" Father stated, in his happiness of my unscathed escape towards him, all of his feelings he managed to hide so well for the past few years, seemed to just spray out of him like water out of a fountain.
"I gave you Cyan as companion so you would not be so alone after your mother died…, but I guess what you really lacked was the love I should have given to you…., over short or long did I more and more abandoned you towards your Butlers and Maids, while I succumbed myself into work to keep me from succumbing to my own sorrow.
It went so far, until we barely even spoke with each other…, but one thing is for sure, I always loved you…., but just as I had become a father you barely could call as such, I saw how you strayed from the path you wanted to go since you were little…, but how would I have been able to bring you back…, by punishing you…, I could not bring it over myself to do that…, after all it was all my fault.
I knew you disliked me, but I still did not wanted you to outright hating me, you were all I had left of my family, losing you would have been the worst possible outcome, so I let you do whatever you liked, but I guess this was more at fault as when I would have punished you.
I am most proud of you that you regained your right path with your own hands and that you began to grow towards a true righteous Queen, who takes on responsibility and who knows compassion…., you are truly a daughter I could be proud of!" Father stated, as he pressed me on him again, but I shook my head.
"Father…, I never disliked you.., sure I admit I was unhappy that you seemed to have neglected me ever since Mom´s death.., but in the end you always kept me safe, whenever I was hurt or sick you were at my side, I knew that…, I always knew it…, but I was too stubborn to acknowledge it.
I never even thanked you for it…, I was a bad and rebellious daughter…, but I swear to you here and now that I will change, that I will take on my responsibility as a royal of this kingdom and for this I will make sure that the shield will be repowered, whatever it takes!" I replied to my father.
"I see, then I shall support you with all that I can give you!" He replied to me as we embraced yet again, meanwhile Cyan stood in front of his father, all nervous looking like a boy who has been caught by his father while doing mischief.
"My Son…, you are as good as unhurt…., I see…, that's good…, it shows me that your skills are still progressing!" I heard his father saying awkwardly.
"Of course Father, I will not stand behind you in your shadow for much longer, I will become even stronger, so strong that I can defend everybody and I will make sure that you can look at me with Pride!" Cyan stated equally stiff.., it was plain to see that both were not really the mushy kind of man, and yet their awkwardness in expressing their father-son-feelings for each other was also a little funny to watch.
"You already make me proud Cyan, you brought Princess Terria to us unharmed and you are always at her side, you even defended her from the beast this afternoon and managed to hold the same at bay until help arrived, I could not be any Prouder….
You are every bit worth to someday bear my title….
However I wish that you remain at Princess Terria´s side, you are her personal Guard and as such your duty is eternal, as long as you both live, don´t forget that, make sure that her young majesty is safe no matter what it takes…, defend and preserve her from any danger by any means necessary!" Sir Cerulean Garland explained to his son.
"I will Sire, it is my greatest Honour to be of service to my Princess!" Cyan stated and I blushed deep red.
"Then you will need the right Equipment my son…, actually I wanted to give it to you when you would have had your 15th Birthday…, yet I was not sure if you were truly prepared for that burden, if you would be strong and mature enough to handle it…, so I waited until you would have been a little more disciplined and a little more stronger and responsible as well as aware of the consequences of your actions.
And now, you finally have matured in the last 4 years, enough for me to say that now is the right time.
And to be honest it might also be just the best time to give it to you anyways.
This here is the Treasure of our Clan, Ignis-rubium, It means Fire-Ruby, it is as Sharp as the fire is hot and equally destructive if false used, however if it is rightly used, it can help you just like a camp-fire in the deepest winter!" Sir Garland explained to him.
"Father…, are you really sure I am ready to receive such an honour?!" Cyan asked doubtingly but still in awe.
"I am, and I can tell you that Marine and Azure are of the same assumption, I shall tell you that they are proud of you for becoming as strong as you are now, a Knight befitting of the Name Garland…, and so am I, I´m proud to call you my son!" Sir Garland stated, talking about Marine Garland, his son´s Mother and Azure Garland, his son´s older Sister, I saw Cyan bursting into tears.
"Thank you, Mom, Big Sis, Dad!" He stated and I was glad that he fulfilled part of his greatest wish, to make his family proud of him.
To be continued...
