Chapter 34: Rumble at the Banther Lodge

The beasts grumbled behind him, as they made their way across the snowy ground.

Azrael turned, looking at his new army.

Visible, bright purple veins glowed through their monstrous forms, their red eyes glaring straight ahead.

They were creatures of hate. They were all that he needed.

He turned his attention straight ahead, his eyes glistening as he spotted it.

A wooden building. Smoke pouring from the chimney. A smaller wooden building off to the side.

And as he narrowed his eyes to examine it, he found exactly who he was looking for.

King Ezran. Standing on the front steps. Eyes staring with quiet determination up at the approaching army.

He did not wear his royal robes. Instead he wore what from a distance, almost looked like armor.

Azrael walked down the snowy slope. The beasts still grumbling at his heels.

And as he reached the bottom, Ezran stepped forth.

Leaving the safety of the lodge. And stepping towards him.

There was a whooshing sound, as from the roof of the lodge, a familiar moonshadow elf leapt, doing a flip, before landing just behind Ezran.

Azrael took note of her as well.

No sign of the mage.

His attention turned back to Ezran, who much to his surprise, was still walking towards him.

Well beyond the safety of the lodge.

Rayla was a fair distance behind as well.

But his look betrayed no fear. Or hesitation.

Azrael had to be honest. He respected it.

He continued forward.

Until the two kings stood face to face.

Azrael looked down at the child, whose silver and yellow armor looked a little suspect.

There was no mask to hide his monstrous appearance. Or his rage.

Or in this case, his curiosity.

He tilted his head to the side.

"Your armor...it is wooden?"

"All the armor in the barracks were too big. And heavy." Ezran replied.

"Are you wearing...a child's toy? A costume?" Azrael asked.

"I am a child." Ezran replied, glaring up at him. "This armor is wooden. This sword...is wooden." He said, gesturing to the small sword sheathed at his side.

Azrael let out a snort.

Which despite his best efforts, turned into a full on laugh.

Ezran continued staring up at him, as he lost his composure.

"Are you finished?" He asked.

"No...no dear child. But you are." Azrael replied, wiping a tear from his cheek. "You come out here to face me, wearing this?"

"I'm here to talk." Ezran replied firmly.

Azrael nodded.

"Speak then, young king." He said with a gracious nod, and a mocking bow.

"I know why you hate my father." Ezran said, noticing the flinch in his face. "I know that he refused to help you."

Azrael clenched his fist, rage coursing through him.

"He sentenced my people to die." He snarled. "He ended my dynasty. My kingdom. He let the elves take everything from me."

"Yes. It doesn't excuse what you've done...but yes. He didn't help you." Ezran said, eyebrows flared. "I understand your pain. That's why I'm going to give you one chance."

Azrael raised an eyebrow.

"Go home." Ezran stated. "Start over. Rebuild your kingdom. Leave this land, and never, ever return." His eyes locked with Azrael's as they narrowed with each word.

"Consider this mercy." Ezran finished, his tone icy cold.

Azrael turned around to face his army.

"What a kind offer. A merciful king you are." He said with a nod. "But I'm afraid I must decline. There is nothing for me to rebuild, you see." His eyes glistened as he looked up at the dark sky. "Only a dynasty to destroy."

He turned, and swung his jagged sword, causing Ezran to jump back.

Ezran's eyes widened, as he swung at him again.

Rayla deployed her swords, and charged forward.

Azrael deployed a powerful gust of storm wind from his clenched fist, knocking the elf off her feet. As he stepped closer to Ezran, who tried crawling away.

"Take solace in this young king. Your brother will be spared. He has the darkness in him. He will make a fine apprentice, to replace the one you took from me." He hissed, grabbing Ezran's foot, and dragging him back, then grabbing him by the throat.

Ezran grabbed at his strong hands, but had no hope of loosening his grip.

"He has seen my pain. He understands it."

"You're right." A voice called. "I have seen it."

Azrael turned, in time for a lightning bolt to blast him off his feet, and send him skittering across the snow.

As Callum stepped forward, from the barracks, the lightning sparking in his palm.

"But that doesn't mean you ever get to touch my brother." He said angrily, as he helped Ezran to his feet.

Azrael let out a grunt of annoyance as he got up from the snow.

"What are you waiting for?!" He demanded of his army. "Kill the king!"

The beasts let out a roar of rage, and charged ahead.

"Uh oh." Ezran muttered.

"Behind the runes, now!" Callum shouted, pushing Ezran ahead of him.

They charged over to the dazed Rayla, and Callum turned, raising his hand.

He drew a rune in the air, and a white orb shot out of his hand.

It floated ahead, then hit the invisible runes.

A wall of clear blue appeared, as the shield runes became visible, surrounding the lodge.

The beasts crashed against it, punching, biting and stabbing at it, as they desperately worked to break through.

"How long is that gonna hold?" Rayla asked, as Callum helped her to her feet.

"Not long enough." Callum replied.

Cracks were already forming in the runes, as the beasts continuing pounding against it.

"It's only a matter of time, now." Azrael taunted, standing behind his army. "You've done nothing but trap yourselves." He said, watching the three of them, as they waited for the inevitable. "You three...have been very...very annoying. A pity you didn't have more friends. You might have stood a chance."

Ezran stepped forward, against the cracking rune wall.

"Are you kidding?" He asked, waving his hand. "We're in the forest. I always have friends here."

Azrael frowned, his eyes widening.

As he realized the ground was shaking.

His head jerked toward the forest, as he heard galloping, and growling.

Then, with a great collective roar, the Banther's broke through the treeline, charging at his army.

"DEFEND YOUR POSITIONS!" He shouted, as the banthers leapt toward his army, knocking several of his beasts to the ground.

"Ezran, have I ever told ya you're a genius?" Rayla asked, rubbing the King's hair.

Callum watched as the banthers drew the attention of the army.

"That's not gonna be enough." He said, watching the banthers clash with the beasts.

A platoon of Azrael's beasts continued smashing against the runes, and Callum turned, removing his blue jacket, and handing it to Rayla.

"Oh no. Oh no, that's the dumb idea face, what're ya doin?!" Rayla demanded as Callum backed away from the rune wall, his painted arms exposed.

"Those banthers are outnumbered." Callum replied. "It won't be enough. I'm gonna go give them a hand."

"Callum!" Rayla exclaimed.

"I'll be back." Callum replied firmly, before turning, and sprinting toward the wall.

He controlled his breathing as he approached it.

"Manus...pluma...volantis!" He shouted, jumping up as his wings formed.

And launching over the wall, he flew straight up.

Before turning, to divebomb straight down, toward the center of Azrael's army.

His wings returning to arms as he fell, his eyes narrowed with determination.

Electricity surging through him. He took a deep breath.

"FULMINUS!" He shouted, landing fist first in the snow.

And sending out a wave of electricity across the snow, that blasted a mass of Azrael's beasts across the snow.

He looked up, blue electricity surging from his eyes, as he glared at the robed figure of Azrael.

"Such an impressive boy." Azrael commented, stepping towards him. A fireball erupted from his hand, and Callum spun away, as it exploded the snow behind him.

Azrael raised his hand again, and a stream of flame erupted forward.

Callum let a lightning bolt loose from his hand, and the two waves met with an explosive surge in the middle.

"I could make you a god!" Azrael shouted, as he pushed the flames forward. He paused, turning to look at the beasts as they began shattering some of the shield runes.

Callum followed his gaze, his focus leaving him, as he saw them begin to break through.

Azrael smirked, and pushed the flames straight ahead.

Callum was blasted off his feet, and sent rolling across the snow, smoke pouring from his singed body.

"CALLUM!" Rayla shouted.

Her concern for him was forcibly cut short, however, as a shadow covered the cloudy night sky above them.

"Oh no." The moonshadow elf muttered, turning and grabbing Ezran. "We gotta move!"

They ran back towards the lodge.

As Borvir came crashing down in front of it, his impact sending some of Azrael's beasts flying.

But more importantly, exploding the rune wall inward. And leaving the lodge exposed.

Rayla and Ezran were thrown forward by the impact, but the elf recovered quickly, deploying her blades.

"Ezran. Stay behind me." She commanded, as she stared into the face of the black and silver dragon.

Borvir let out a booming chuckle, as he pounded closer to them.

"An elf...willing to die for a human king? What has become of your race?" He asked with disgust.

"We evolved." Rayla replied, narrowing her eyes. "Maybe you should too."

Borvir chuckled, as the rings in his neck began to glow.

"I wonder if they'll remember you in Xadia." He said, as he leaned back for the killing shot.

But he paused.

As a loud roar filled the sky.

Several roars in fact.

And then, a small, angry yelp.

A very familiar small angry yelp.

Ezran looked up at the sky, as two large, winged silhouettes approached.

With one tiny silhouette flying in between them.

Borvir turned to glare up at them. And his beady eyes widened.

Ezran's eyes widened as well, as he walked closer.

And joy erupted in his heart.

"ZYM!" He shouted at the top of his lungs.

The small dragon let out a cry of joy, as he led the two larger dragons down toward the battle. His eyes fixed on Ezran, before turning down at the attacking army, and narrowing.

He opened his mouth blue rings lighting up in his neck, as lightning erupted from his little maw, blasting at the ground, scattering the beasts.

Pyrrah and a green dragon on either side of him. They exchanged a look, then their own maws erupted with flame, tearing through the warlord's ranks.

Azrael's face jerked upward, his eyes wide as well.

"Tell me that's not..." he breathed.

"Zym!" Callum said weakly, as he tried to stand.

Azrael gritted his teeth in rage, as the two dragons circled, raining death on his army.

"Borvir! Strike them down!" He commanded.

The dragon narrowed his eyes, then rose from the ground, launching himself at the trio.

He slammed against Pyrrah, then turned and fired a blast of flame at her green comrade, before turning his eyes to Azymondias.

The dragon prince's wide eyes staring up at the massive, ancient dragon.

They looked afraid for a moment, but the fear quickly vanished.

He let out a yelp of protest.

And Borvir's eyes seemed to soften.

He suddenly lost altitude, and crashed against the snow bank, skidding across, toward Azrael.

"What was that?!" The warlord demanded, glaring at the old dragon. "You fall untouched?! What is the matter with you?!"

Borvir let out a grumble as he rose from the snow.

"These are my brethren. And that...is the child of my fallen king." He stated.

Azrael looked back at him with rage filled eyes.

"The dragon prince is a child, you could strike him down with ease!"

"It is not about what I can do, Azrael." Borvir replied. "It is about what I am willing to do. And I will not stand against my future king."

Azrael's eye twitched as he glared at the dragon.

"After my gift to you...you refuse?!"

Borvir glared at him, hatred showing in his own weathered eyes.

"I have lived far too long. And compromised myself far too much...in service of you." He said, rings beginning to glow under his neck.

Azrael narrowed his eyes, as the dragon opened his maw to attack.

"Then allow me to take back my gift." He snarled, raising his hand, and beckoning with his fingers.

A dark cloud erupted out of Borvir's chest, and his entire body shook, then went limp.

He collapsed to the snow, closing his eyes peacefully, as his body turned to ash.

Callum watched it all in horror. Then he watched as Azrael turned his attention to the sky. A look of disappointment on his face.

"Seems I must do everything myself." The warlord hissed. He raised his hand, his eyes turning black, as he mumbled an incantation.

Callum followed his gaze to the sky.

And the two dragons that continued to rain fire down on his army.

His eyes widened.

"No!"

Azrael raised his hand, and an ice spell surged forth.

Striking the green dragon in the underbelly. He let out a cry of pain, trying desperately to stay in the air.

As ice spread across his body.

He let a wail of despair, as he crashed against the snowbank.

His frozen body exploding as he made impact. He let out a final groan, as what remained of him came apart.

Callum charged at Azrael, who effortlessly blasted him back with a storm wind spell. Then he brought the orb out of his cloak, and held it up.

The dark clouds erupted from it, and surged at Pyrrah.

She glared at it, as it forced its way into her maw.

"Stop..." Callum begged.

"Oh no." Azrael replied. "This is the power you can wield. Behold."

Pyrrah let out a cry of agony, as the pain coursed through her insides. She veered off, and crashed into the treeline, tearing multiple trees out of the ground, before coming to a rest on the far end of the battlefield.

Azymondias let out a concerned yelp, as he watched her fall. He was on the ground now. He let loose another surge, blasting back an attacking beast.

He didn't notice the cloaked mage that was walking toward him.

"Tell me Callum...do you think the dragon prince can handle the pain you felt?" He asked, as he held the orb.

Callum ran after him, drawing a quick rune.

"ZYM! GET AWAY FROM HIM!" He shouted, drawing another rune with his hand. "ASPIRO!"

A gust of wind blew forth, lifting Azymondias off his tiny dragon legs, and sending him upward.

As Azrael followed his ascent, he raised the orb, only to have Callum crash into him, sending them both rolling across the snow.

In front of the lodge, the beasts were charging at Ezran.

And Rayla was doing her best to keep them back.

She did a flip, slicing into the back of one, before kicking it to the ground.

She turned, in time to get bowled over.

The barbarian commander, Rhizan, no longer recognizable, roared, as he pushed her toward them icy river, and with a leap, crashed through it.

Sending them both deep into the dark, frigid waters.

"Rayla!" Ezran exclaimed, gripping his wooden sword tightly, as the beasts surrounded him. He looked up at them, with fear in his eyes.

There was a high pitched shriek.

And then, the small blue dragon skidded across the snow, landing between Ezran and his attackers.

Angry eyes turning to glare at them, before letting lightning erupt from his maw. Blasting them away from the young king.

"ZYM!" Ezran exclaimed, leaning down and hugging the baby dragon from behind.

Zym turned to him, and let out a happy yelp.

Rayla struggled, trying to untangle herself from the wild, corrupted human.

He let out a roar from under the water, as he swung at her head.

She ducked, trying to swing her sword at his midsection, and missing.

The darkness was all encompassing now. She could barely see anything but the outline of the monster.

She lunged at him, her blade cutting through the water, and coming up empty.

As she tried to readjust, she felt his massive fist punch her straight in the stomach.

Knocking all the air out of her lungs. Her eyes went wide.

There was no air. Nothing left to fight with. She needed to breathe in.

She couldn't.

Her vision began to flicker. She closed her eyes, as the beast hit her again, knocking her deeper down toward the riverbed.

qCallum watched the icy river, eyes scanning for any sign of life.

It had been well over a minute now, and he shook his head, as reality dawned on him.

"No...no Rayla, please..."

"Breathe it in." Azrael said, slowly getting to his feet. "Loss. Painful. But immensely powerful."

Callum shook his head frantically, tears coming down from his face. "I don't want this. Please...Rayla..."

"I didn't want it either." Azrael said, stepping toward the downed prince. "But it made me stronger than I ever could've imagined. Embrace it, Callum." He held out a hand.

Gripping his jagged sword in the other.

Callum looked back at him. His expression hardening.

Then he turned, swiftly, desperately drawing a rune in the direction of the frozen lake.

"Ventus spiralis." He spoke, the spell shooting toward the ice.

Azrael shook his head.

"So disappointing." He hissed, drawing his sword back.

As Callum slowly, weakly turned back to face him, Azrael slashed the blade across his chest.

Callum let out a cry of pain, grabbing the wound, as blood began to pour from it.

"Very well. If you are so keen to die with your friends...I will oblige you." Azrael spat, grabbing him by the throat tightly, and lifting him up.

Rayla could feel herself drifting away. She closed her eyes, as she hit the riverbed.

There was a glow in the dark water, and she forced her eyes open to look at it.

As her brain raced, she pondered if this light was death. It was surging down towards her.

Then she felt it move down her throat.

A calm, cool sensation.

And she breathed in. Her eyes widening. Her heart leaping.

She could breathe in. Her lungs were filling with air once again.

She could feel the energy surging through her body.

Her eyes narrowed with determination, and she gripped her sword handles tightly.

Then launched herself upward, toward the surface.

Crashing against the beast, who turned in confusion, and swiped wildly at her.

She ducked, feeling the water swell around his strike. He launched another attack at her head, but she ducked down.

And drove her blades into his midsection.

The beast let out a roar, bubbles escaping from his mouth. Then he went limp.

Rayla kicked his limp form away, then looked up, seeing the wall of ice above her. And began the swim to the surface.

Ezran let out a cry as one of the beast's blades sliced through his wooden armor, splintering it. He sank to one knee, as Zym desperately try to hold them back.

They were relentless in their attack.

"Zym...you gotta go...get out of here." Ezran begged. "It's over, you gotta get back home..."

Azymondias ignored him, continuing to fire electricity at the swarm of beasts, his legs starting to wobble from exhaustion.

Callum watched with sad eyes as they made their last stand in front of the lodge. He could feel his own life slipping away, as Azrael choked it from him. His eyes turned to glare defiantly at Azrael.

"Someone...will...stop you." He breathed.

Azrael managed a light chuckle.

"Once I absorb your magic...no. No, I will be quite unstoppable." He assured with a horrid grin. "You lot had a good run. But it's time to be reunited with the rest of your family." He said, lining up his sword with Callum's chest. "I hope you find your loved ones on the other side."

There was a loud cracking sound. He paused, turning.

And watching as cracks formed in the river ice.

A single blade sticking up through it.

Then, with another crack, another broke through.

Slicing in a circle, and tearing a hole.

Rayla leapt out of the water, doing a flip before landing on the riverbank.

Looking up as the clouds parted, to reveal the full moon.

She smirked, as she stepped into the moonlight.

There was a shwawawawawa.

And then, a sort of ting.

Rayla's body became ethereal, as her moonshadow powered activated.

Her eyes narrowed in angry determination, as she saw the predicaments in front of her.

They were hurting her family.

She gripped her blades tightly.

And let out a cry as she launched herself forward.

Directly into the swarm, blades cutting through the beasts.

Her strikes were lightning quick. And no counterattack could touch her. She was just too fast.

Ezran, Zym and Callum all stared, as she tore the army apart. Jumping from beast to beast.

She drove her blade through one, then turned and hurled the other blade through the chest of another, charging forward to retrieve it, and doing a flip in the air, before landing, and spinning with her blades extended.

Cutting a swath straight through the army.

Azrael watched in increasing concern.

"Stop...stop her!" He shouted. "Kill her!"

Rayla leapt over one of the beasts, slicing off it's head from the air, before landing.

She drove each blade through the chests of two more as they moved to attack.

She didn't even look at them. Her eyes were locked on Azrael.

He dropped the wheezing Callum from his grip, as what little remained of his army fled to the forest.

"Maybe you should've left when Ez gave you the chance..." Callum breathed, as he stood up.

Rayla landed in front of the battlemage, swinging her swords at him.

He weaved, then with his own sword, disarmed her in one swift motion.

She stared straight at him in shock, as her swords went opposite directions, and planted themselves in the snow.

He smirked, then swung for her head.

She ducked, then weaved aside as he swung again.

And brought her fist up, uppercutting him under the chin.

The battlemage let out a bewildered growl, as the unexpected punch knocked him back. He gritted his teeth.

"You dare..."

She interrupted him with another punch. Then, as he tried to recover, she spun around, and kicked him across the cheek.

Sending him sprawling back onto the snow.

Rayla stepped forward, the moonshadow powers leaving, as the clouds covered the moon again.

Callum, Ezran, and Zym walked over to stand with her. Stern looks on their faces.

"It's over, Azrael." Ezran warned. "I hope it was worth it."

"All that killing. All that death." Callum said, as he rubbed his throat.

"All just to lose to two teenagers, a child and a babeh?" Rayla asked, arching an eyebrow.

Azrael spit out some dark colored blood, then let out a sickly sounding chuckle, that erased the confidence of the small group.

He slowly stood up, looking up at them with an amused expression.

"You think thats all it takes?"

Before they could react, he drew a rune.

"Aspiro." He breathed.

The gust was massive. Violent. Hurricane force winds erupted from his mouth, blasting all four of them across the field.

And sending them smashing through the wooden door of the banther lodge, and sprawling across the floor.

They struggled to their feet, as he strode calmly inside.

"No. No this is exactly what I wanted, deep down." Azrael stated. "My only regret is Talon is not here at my side." He looked at the four, as they stood together before him, glaring defiantly at him.

He smirked, as he saw the determination in their eyes.

"My kingdom against yours, King Ezran."