So I finished this WAY faster than I thought I would but there it is and I know no ones complaining! :)
However I must warn you that from this point on the story is going to take some darker turns that may not be for the
faint of heart.
But if that doesn't bother you then press on and enjoy!
Chapter 47: The Many Headed Serpent
His senses returned to him like slow heartbeats, first he heard muffled sounds; metal shifting, footsteps...and voices. Then he felt his legs dragging against the hard ground, along with iron clad hands under his shoulders that pulled him face down along the path. His thoughts returned slowly and he was able to recall the events that led him to where he was now. He was a prisoner, that much was obvious. Opening his eyes was a risk but he had to learn more.
He raised his head slightly, careful not to alert his captors. He scanned from side to side at the two soldiers holding him. The only light was from the moon but ahead he saw general Tarn walking with Sorvec and Venereth. He could see that the Naga Witch held his sword but the temptation to call Black Autumn to his hand was silenced as he became awake to the pain throughout his body, especially his leg.
The rows of trees flanking the path came into focus and as they did it was clear that what he first thought were trees, were mostly naga soldiers. Almost all seemed preoccupied by a task of some kind but some onlookers appeared. He was deep within the Naga Ai war camp...within arm's reach of Amicus! There was only one reason-one person that they could possibly be bringing him too; he was about to meet the Witch King face to face at last. He would remain a prisoner-for now...he would wait and listen.
Aldren didn't have to wait long; just ahead two witch knights parted for their superiors as they seemed to near the end of their trek. Venereth and Sorvec veered off to the left as they entered a circular conclave, the naga carrying him halted while the general continued forward. With his view no longer obscured he was now able to see a black, iron throne...and standing beside it with his flank to him was the Witch King himself.
At that moment Amicus' gaze was not on him; he was instead preoccupied with something that
Aldren had trouble understanding initially. The throne was flanked by ten, what looked to be oversized crystal stepping stones and materialized in a cloud of black fibrous smoke above one of ten was a humanoid figure. Amicus was speaking to the figure-that much Aldren could tell. He focused his hearing and sight, finally recognizing who it was; Hans. Aldren grimaced at a snake he found more detestable than most that he was surrounded by currently, but he reminded himself to keep his charade up and listen...
The Witch King folded his arms, "You played your part admirably Hans, the snow queen is now in an enraged panic at the loss of her top general."
The prince nodded, "Thank you...unfortunately one of my men evidently was left behind; I doubt he will hold anything in for long under-"
"It is of no consequence; anything he knew will soon become obsolete along with him."
"Very well...and what of our 'other' associates?"
"They will join us soon, a few are already near..."
Amicus turned his head to the two pads to Hans' left that lit up, materializing two more figures; the first appeared to be a elder bald man with a heavily scarred face that wore hooded armor, a long scimitar sat sheathed at his side not unlike the ones that were made in Zaria. Aldren's blood boiled when he realized who it was, The Baron Alqatil; the leader of the rebel faction called The Sons of the Jackal that tried to usurp King Stebor and Queen Renalia during their civil war known as 'the war of wind and blade'. Aldren had a personal hand in his defeat alongside general Zyon, since then he had evaded capture and now Aldren knew how.
The second was a younger man with full beard and mustache while his hair was done up in a neat bun, he wore lithe steel armor with an unusual emblem borne into the chest plate. Aldren did not recognize the man but he knew the symbol well enough, it was the sigil of the Separatists of Saporia; once an rival kingdom of Corona that remained their sworn enemy to this day. He was beginning to understand how the Witch King had amassed the numbers to overtake the alliance.
Amicus regarded Alqatil, "Baron, I trust your mission was a success then?"
He nodded, speaking with a rough accent, "Chatho's ships have been burned, no help will be coming to Arendelle from the east."
"And your certain you left no traces of who you are?"
"Without doubt; for all they knew we were a pirate army seeking to pillage."
"Well done."
"But-"
Amicus turned his head slowly, "But?"
Alqatil shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, "An Arendelle ship entered Chatho's waters when the battle began, it managed to escape the carnage...barely."
The Witch King turned away briefly, "It matters not, if they have failed to find out who attacked Chatho by now then it is already too late." he then turned back to the second figure, "Hubert then was it...has your army arrived?"
"Yes. We've made land fall on the islands at Arendelle's southern tip, the separatists of Saporia stand ready to crush the Coronans and there do-gooder allies!" he said this with a raised fist and an oddly cheery disposition that made Hans and Alqatil roll their eyes.
Amicus chose not to react, "Very good, you will both receive escort to the mainland to join with our combined forces-"
"What's he doing here!?" Hans blurted, looking past Amicus towards Aldren who made sure to let his head hang, "That monster nearly took my head not moments ago and your keeping him alive? He should be killed immediately!"
"I agree." Alqatil followed, pointing hatefully at the elemental, "I have fought against him before, he is too dangerous to be kept alive! I do not see the point in-"
"I would warn you Baron not to question my points or my means ever-again!..." The darkness in the Witch King's voice made them all think twice, he looked between all three of them as he took a lingering step forward, "I should think that based on your past experiences, the three of you would have learned your lesson about overplaying your...'position'. Or have you forgotten who you swore your allegiance to?"
Hubert held his hands up, "No-no of course not, my lord...we owe everything to you." he uttered nervously.
Amicus lowered his gaze, "Do not soon forget!" he snapped, making all three of them flinch. Amicus then turned to the pad on Hubert's left, a female naga materialized, "Admiral Farraige, escort the new arrivals to the mainland and assume command of the army; mobilization begins immediately."
"Yes my lord." she bowed and her visage faded.
He turned back to the three, allowing himself to relax again, "Play your parts well, see your enemies crushed and receive your rewards...victory is upon us my lords, the final battle for Arendelle is about to begin."
Alqatil and Hubert bowed while Hans only nodded discontentedly and one by one their visages faded. As Amicus turned around Aldren closed his eyes, letting his head hang as he waited for an opening.
The Witch King stepped towards the unconscious elemental, "Were there any problems general?"
"None my lord."
Venereth held Black autumn out to him, "His weapon, master."
He grasped the handle and looked it over with little interest, then using the tip to lift Aldren's head up by the underside of his helm, "Clearly you know how to use this blade well, Aesir."
Without warning Aldren's eyes shot open, pushing off the ground hard-out of his captor's arms and ramming his head up into the Witch King's faceplate, making him stumble back. Before any could seize him he spun in a quick circle, letting loose flames all around that scattered the other naga and kept them back. While Amicus was still stunned he leaped through the flames, calling Black Autumn into his own hands and thrust down at his enemy's unguarded chest.
Aldren's sword bit steel and Amicus was forced to his knees, his back arching toward the ground as Aldren's complete weight came to bare. He kept pushing until the blade tore out through the King's back and tasted the dirt. Amicus groaned in pain weakly but it was not enough for the Embercrow, "You have no idea..." Aldren hissed, twisting the blade a little; he wanted this to hurt.
But the groan of pain faded into what sounded more like a sigh of disappointment, his armored hand reached up and grasped the blade in his chest and slowly began to push it out. Aldren eyes widened, he had put everything he had left into that strike and did not have the strength to push back. Soon the Witch King was on one knee, then both feet and the sword left his chest...bloodless. For a moment the witch King held the sword and stared down at the dumbfounded man, with only the faint crackling of the flames around them. Amicus drew back with his free hand before blasting Aldren in the chest with a bolt of dark energy that sent him flying into the ring of fire he had made.
Aldren sat up and shook his head, all he saw was a wall of fire until the flames were suddenly drawn away into a single stream that vanished as it lead into Amicus' open hand. The last ribbon of fire entered his palm, completely obedient to his will as he closed his hand and smothered it.
The naga king brushed a hand over his chest plate nonchalantly, "That will teach me to get too close." he said with a hint of humor, "That's two I owe to you now." he followed, pointing to the slash across his face plate.
Aldren could only raise himself to one knee, dumbfounded; anger and confusion swimming in his chest. Two witch knights moved to finish him off but a raised hand from their leader stopped them. The Embercrow looked around, growing more confused and worried by the second, the Witch King tossed Black Autumn on the ground towards him, "I did not have you brought here as an enemy, Aldren Embercrow."
He blinked down at his weapon and carefully picked it up, using it to push off the ground back to his feet and finally finding his words, "That would not have been my guess, based on your...approach."
Amicus put his hands together, "Would you have come willingly had I simply asked? Perhaps I should have simply sent a scroll with my personal seal to queen requesting your presence?"
"So why did you...have me brought here?" Alden asked.
"To talk."
"Only talk? A fair bit of effort for a simple chat...considering you sent your best after me." he said, looking between Tarn and Venereth.
"You have certainly demonstrated that it would take my best to bring you in...or bring you down", the Witch King said as he too looked at his lieutenants and back at Aldren. "I also confess I wanted to see what you were made of and if I may say; you do not disappoint. You've suffered grievous injuries at the hands of my finest and yet...here you stand. weapon in hand-ready to fight and kill again...admirable."
Aldren's fist burst into flame, "I won't hesitate to defend myself."
"As well you shouldn't. But as I said; you are not here as my enemy...you are my guest." he slowly walked forward, closing the distance between them, "There is much we have to discuss."
Once again the flame that Aldren created was drawn into the Witch King's hand but this time he simply held it there, unfazed...unharmed. His suspicions confirmed, a daunting realization came upon Aldren at last, "You're an elemental.?"
"Oh I am much, much more than that..." The flame became bigger- brighter, turning from orange to a shifting mix of violet, red and blue, "I can show you how to become...more..."
Aldren looked on the flame in Amicus' hand with an uneasy sense of wonder, he looked up to the naga, "Why?"
The flame dissipated and the Witch King clasped his hands behind him before turning away and walking back towards his throne, "Uncertainty...doubt if you will, is something I am not often confronted with; not but a few nights past you did something that no one ever has before." He looked back at him over his shoulder, "When you broke through the spell that I used to infiltrate your mind, I admit that I was not sure how to react initially...but soon something became clear to me; Arendelle would have fallen much sooner had you not stopped general Tarn from killing queen Elsa in the palace gardens all those months ago. It would have fallen still soon after had you not taught it's monarchy to lead in war and help train it's army, rekindling their warrior spirit. And it would have fallen still if you had not broken my spell and learned of my intent to destroy the alliance in the field. The only reason I have had to go to so much trouble to conquer this sad, frozen little country...is because of you."
Aldren smirked, "Hmm, bad luck for you."
"I do not believe...in luck."
"Yet you tried it when you had me brought into your camp-alive."
Amicus tuned back to him, "Did I? Your blade pierced my breast, yet I stand unharmed and very much alive."
He could not deny that it seemed his enemy would not fall to a simple sword nor his power...a fact that was more than a little agonizing to him.
"And rather than being vindictive towards you for spoiling my plans, I have allowed myself to be humbled-after all; why kill you...when you could join me instead?"
Aldren couldn't stop himself from laughing a little at that, "And what make you think I would ever join you?"
The king sat back into his throne, "Because I can offer you something no one else can, not even your beloved snow queen."
"And what would that be?"
"Deliverance. From the burdens, the torments of your past..."
Aldren scoffed, "If I wanted my memories erased I would have asked the trolls to do it!"
"Erase?" He intertwined his fingers, chuckling lowly, "No. Without our memories we cannot learn, we cannot grow and evolve through past experiences, we cannot truly...live. No, what I offer is nothing so crude as what Steinfar would 'give' you... I simply offer release from guilt, from fear...from weakness. You would be one of thousands who had accepted the offer..."
Aldren's brow furrowed, "Thousands...?"
Amicus beckoned towards the crowd of naga behind Aldren and he watched as two individuals parted from the crowd and move to stand in front of him. He narrowed his eyes, tightening his grip on his weapon...all they did was reach up and remove their helmets. He did not understand the point of the gesture at first, they seemed like any other naga he had seen before; pale skin...but then he found that he recognized their features...
"It-...it can't be..." his eyes widened, a quiet almost painful gasp escaped as his mouth fell agape. He looked to the one on the left, Arvid; he had been perhaps one of the most dutiful of soldiers he had trained-who they'd assumed had died when the naga took Ashla's Pike. Yet here he was alive but...not as he had known him.
He turned to the one on the right...Derad; Barec's missing brother, his features would have been nearly identical. But his eyes were no longer the crisp green the brothers shared...now he bore the yellow eyes and pale skin of a naga.
"Arvid?...Derad?"
They only reacted slightly to hearing their names then resumed to only stare past him, Aldren's attention was brought back to Amicus who spoke again. "I see you haven't forgotten their names, yes...these are indeed the very same men you knew, who I'm sure you believed had likely been killed. But no, I am no butcher...they were fighters when they fought for you, and they are fighters even now and they could fight for you again Aldren...all of them."
Aldren turned to face Amicus. A question sat in his throat that he did not want to ask but he had to, "And the people you took prisoner...the women and the children?"
"All have their uses...they all certainly have theirs now."
He tore his gaze away from the Witch King, at first wanting to throw up; the thought that not just his soldiers but his own people had been turned against him in a way that he could barely grasp... but then anger began to fester in his heart again, "No..."
"No?"
He snapped back to Amicus, "I know these men! I trained Arvid and I've fought beside Derad's brother!" he marched up to the naga on his left, "Arvid! You were a loyal soldier of Arendelle, you were meant for more than life as an expendable pawn in his evil game!"
The naga eyes shifted momentarily as if in thought, but seemed to be forced back into a indifferent stare. Aldren then walked to the other, grasping his shoulders, "Derad!...Derad, your brother has endured hel since he lost you. He has thought of nothing else but getting you back, you would abandon him now to serve as a puppet!?"
The being in front of him looked on in confusion and fear before averting his aggressor's gaze in favor of the ground. Aldren growled, shoving his way past the naga closer to the Witch King, "These are not the same men we knew! They would have never given up all that they had to serve you-not willingly!...And I would not either. I will not give up who I am now!"
The Witch King grasped the arms of his throne and slowly pushed himself up, "And why would you want to be who you are now?" He continued as he walked towards Aldren, "Do you think those back in Arendelle would still accept you if they knew the full depth of what you had done?"
Aldren shook his head, "You don't-"
"Potrebbe; 'the imperial city of strength', your army sacked that city...and the massacre that followed..."
"That wasn't-"
"By your order! And your brutal subjugation of the ogre mountain clans?"
"They-"
"Forced under your thrall when you drove your blade through the heart of their chieftan!" Amicus was now very close, leaning close to his face, "Forced into a war that wasn't their own-but of course you needed their numbers!" He started walking around Aldren, "Shall I name off another of the many crimes you committed in the west?"
Aldren's breath quickened, trying to hold onto hope-hold onto what he valued here in Arendelle, "I've-...I've put that behind me! It's-"
"In the Past? Ha!" He grasped one of his shoulders from behind, "And you think that means it doesn't matter anymore? You cannot put that past behind you forever, there is no letting it go..."
Amicus released his shoulder, walking ahead of him. Aldren narrowed his eyes, "You don't know anything about me!"
"I know everything about you..." he turned back, advancing on him once again, "I know that what you fear more than anything-more than death, is losing the precious so called family you think you've won over-just like you lost the first two!...Well let me tell you something Aldren; you're right to be afraid." He raised a finger, jabbing it into the young man's chest, making him stumble back, "Even if your alliance defeated me tomorrow you will still one day be confronted by your sins and misdeeds. What she said to you on the lake is a hollow lie that will reveal itself one day...and on that day she will abandon you and you will be left with nothing but shame and emptiness!"
Tears began to sting his eyes, fist fist clenching as he looked away from Amicus. But the Witch king grasped his chin-forcing him to look at him, "People don't change, not in the way you think...She didn't save you from yourself Aldren, she never could...but I can." The naga king released his face, stepping back from him, "You committed cruel, ruthless acts during your conflict with the empire...but that is what won you the war-you were ruthless...because you had to be."
Aldren looked on thoughtfully as the Witch King walked back to his throne again, "I have seen that you possess a strength that few in this world do; you have the strength to do what is needed to force real change! To truly reshape the world into what it could be!" Amicus turned back towards Aldren just as he was at the foot of his throne, raising both hands as he also raised his voice, "The petty wars of men and elves mean nothing in the face of what we shall accomplish. There are only two sides that matter in the true war; those who are willing to make the world into what it should be and those who would stand in our way! Predator!...and prey."
He sat back into his throne, "You are not destined to fight for the meek...you are meant to fight in a unity of strength-the unity of the Naga Ai." he raised a clenched fist alight with the multicolored flames, "Join me Aldren, become a fist for the naga and like a righteous blade I will raise you up and our enemies will shatter against us! The world will never-"
"You speak of change and righteousness yet I don't even know what that 'change is! But I do know that you've left out the part where you'll butcher millions to accomplish it!" Aldren walked closer, raising an accusatory finger, "I saw into your mind too Amicus! And I know what's buried in the cliffs above Arendelle city-"
The flames dissipated, "A weapon? So you think but it is not so."
"What then?"
"A doorway."
His brow furrowed in confusion but Amicus didn't leave him long to be perplexed, "There is not much that I will tell you now on this matter...but know that 'weapon' as you call it is the key to my lord's return into this world. That is how we will make this world great again; not with swords or spells or words! This world is broken; it requires correction...He shall make it so. And yes many will die...but true power always demands sacrifice." Aldren turned his gaze to ground, on one hand trying to ignore what the Witch King was telling him while unable to deny the truth in some of his words. Amicus interlocked his fingers and sat back, "And true power? Well...when my lord is installed and this world is finally at-peace...who knows what we can accomplish; power over life and death? Perhaps even the knowledge to bring back those we have lost-even...your wife and daughter..."
The elemental's eyes narrowed, slowly he looked back up, a hard frown forming on his face. Despite this the Witch King continued to speak, "Join the many headed serpent my friend, become one of us." a figure materialized over all ten of the crystalline pads; each a Naga commander under Amicus that stared at Aldren, "And together...we shall give this world the rule...it deserves..."
Aldren looked between those around him; first to Tarn who folded his arms and made no sound, Then to Sorvec who only looked disappointed he wouldn't get to kill him, and then to Venereth whose softened expression-almost pleading eyes and approving nod nearly made him doubt what he was about to say next. He let his frown fade and looked back to the Witch King, "And what about Elsa...is she prey too?"
Amicus turned his head away, "Queen Elsa...is-weak. Crippled by sentiment-by...love. She is no predator and you would take heed not to make the same mistake she-"
"Oh But I have made that mistake, I've made that mistake every day since I came back to Arendelle." He slowly walked towards his enemy, smiling as the words came to him stronger and stronger as he continued, "The things you call weakness; sentiment, love? Those are the only things that kept me alive, they gave me a reason to keep living-she gave me a reason to keep living! You don't know nearly as much about me as you think you do, because if you did you'd know I would never trade her to dull the pain of the past-not even for the chance of bringing back what I've lost! Because it's not up to me-it's not up to me and it's certainly not up to you! Whether I like it or not; my wife is gone-but her love?-her love is forever and so is Elsa's...nothing can ever take that away, not even you."
He raised his sword towards the king, "And I know something about you Amicus-I know the real reason you want her dead; you're afraid of her!...seems to me that you might just be her prey."
The Witch King's head snapped back towards him, "She is a foolish, ignorant child! Undeserving of the power she holds-the world is better off without her!"
"Your world, not mine! She is my world...they all are. And I will fight for them as long as I live, even against you-even against your 'god'! And no promise or temptation will sway me from that choice...because it's my choice."
Amicus leaned back, resting his elbow on the arm of throne-almost as if defeated, "You would sooner die for those wretches than accept your own superiority? Serve the will of the weak and ignorant rather than that of the strong? Continue to suffer every day with the pains of your past...because of 'love'?"
"To serve, to suffer and die for those I love...that love me?" he raised his weapon in both hands, igniting the blade, "Gladly."
"Hmm...unfortunate."
Sorvec and the two witch knights began to close in on Aldren who prepared to make his final stand but their leader's voice stopped them once again, "But if you'd rather die beside your 'love' then by all means...go back and join her."
Sorvec hissed under his breath but backed off along with the others, the way parted for Aldren to leave down the path he had been dragged. He looked back to the king in confusion who only interlocked his fingers once more, tilting his gaze downward, "You can be reunited with them all again...in-Hel."
Aldren chuckled dryly, giving a mock bow before turning away and doing his best to walk without a limp through the nest of vipers. After getting some distance between him and the Witch King he was spoken too again, "Lord Embercrow." he groaned quietly and turned back to him, "Despite your perceived victory here today there is still one truth of mine you cannot deny; for the deeds you have done, the lives you have ended, for all the evil enacted under your banner...you will never truly be redeemed. There is one inescapable bond you will never break free of...you will always be a Monster."
Aldren's expression dropped, he looked down at Black Autumn and his reflection in it's surface, "I know..." he closed and opened his eyes as he inhaled deeply, turning back to Amicus and hardening his gaze, "But I will never be your monster."
With that he turned away for good, gripping his weapon tightly with head held high and without giving any of the naga a passing glance. Back on his throne, the Witch King simply watched Aldren as he left without so much as moving a muscle. Then Venereth walked to her master's side and waited, the only signal he gave was a single raised finger. She bowed her head and took to the sky, Amicus did not react in the slightest to her departure and only continued to stare onward...
OoO
Thunder boomed overhead as Aldren finally reached the edge of the Naga Ai encampment, he was only seeing a small portion of it, that much he was certain of. All the way he forced himself to keep his composure, aware he was being watched by enemies all around. Entering the dense forest around the camp-out from beneath the serpent's gaze he allowed himself to lean against a tree and catch his breath; the wound on his leg had stopped bleeding but the pain was still very much there. That pain reminded him that he was still breathing; he was unsure why Amicus had not remedied that when he had him...he could only assume that he was not meant to leave this forest alive. He kept his weapon out as he continued to put distance between himself and the camp, he did not intend let his guard down.
At present he could not gauge his position within Arendelle, he would have to find higher ground for a better vantage point. For now he spotted an old tree stump and sat to rest and nurse his wounded leg for a moment. There was not much that he could see beyond the dark leafless trees that seemed to close in around him; there was no wind, no animals, no birds...it was disturbingly quiet. So quiet that he easily heard the dark whisper of an approaching witch knight in shadow flight. He stood and sighed, holding his arms out wide, turning round and waiting.
Eventually someone approached from out of the darkness; Venereth strode forward, her face mask down and the tip of her sword dragging lightly against the ground. He brought his weapon into both hands, his eyes narrowing, "He should have sent all of you..."
She stopped a short distance away and raised her face mask, here eyes holding no hostile intent. She impaled her weapon into the dirt, leaving it there as she walked a little closer, "I'm not here to fight you."
He lowered his own weapon in surprise but did not loosen his grip, "No? The last two times we met you were trying to kill me."
"I've come to try and make you see reason."
"Reason?" he chuckled dryly, sitting back on the stump while still holding his weapon's point towards her, "If you believe anything that lunatic tried to sell me was 'reason'...then you're even more deluded than the rest of them. If you could believe that monster had any sense of kindness or mercy about him-"
"I never said I believed he was kind- or merciful!...but he is powerful." He cocked his head at her as she risked walking a little closer, "You're right; those were not the men you knew any longer. But I was born naga and my mind...is-my-own."
He stared at her for some time, then to her surprise he smiled pleasantly, "Of course it is...Amicus fights for power because he believes that is the only way to create change... but whether or not you'd admit it; you and I fight for the something different-something good..."
"And what's that?"
"Family."
"And you really believe those people are your family?"
He stood, "Why are you so certain my way of thinking is wrong?"
"Because you are on the wrong side of history now lord Embercrow! The losing side."
"Why?"
"BECAUSE IT WILL KILL YOU!"
He sighed, letting Black autumn rest against the stump and walking towards her, "That may be...but my life is no precious thing to me, I'd fight and die for them-the...'losing side' a thousand times over if given the choice...There is always hope and I will always fight for it."
She exhaled, hanging her head momentarily before looking back up, "I've heard that sentiment spoken by many before you...I've ended the lives of a few of them. 'Hope' is the death of heroes."
He shook his head, "No...hope is the death of fear."
"You don't owe these people anything."
He looked at her in disbelief, "I owe them everything."
"Even your life!?"
"Especially my life. My greatest duty is to fight for them just as yours is to fight for Meren." she flinched slightly at the mention of her brother, he placed his hand on her shoulder, "You say your mind is your own and I believe you...I see it in your eyes; Amicus didn't make you who you are!"
She shrugged him off, backing away from him, "No. No-no, I would be nothing without him-my brother would be nothing!"
"Your brother never wanted this life for you two! You fight for family-you fight for your brother because you love him...love and hope go hand in hand. I haven't known him long but I can see that-..." he stopped, when he saw the anger in her face; he decided not to touch this nerve any longer. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly before looking back up to her, "Why did you really come here Venereth?"
Her previous anger subsided, she folded her arms and looked towards the ground, "You're not like most men...or naga for that matter. There are...'traits' of yours that I've observed that I've...come to admire...perhaps more than admire in some case."
"What you 'admire' about me would become but a shadow if I surrendered my self to your king and became one of you."
She looked up into his eyes hopefully, "There may not be need for you to become naga...you may only need to kneel; swear fealty and pledge yourself to our cause."
"Then who I am...would truly die..." She looked down in defeat, he smiled fondly at her, "Even though your brother did try to kill my queen-though I confess she wasn't my queen at the time...we have not treated him poorly." he slowly raised his hand, holding a welcoming palm out to her, "And we would not treat you poorly either."
She looked down at his hand in utter shock, her eyes said it all; she'd never been offered an escape...she'd never been offered hope. For what seemed like forever she simply stared wide eyed at his hand and he simply waited patiently, hopeful that she would take it. He started to smile as her hand lifted up towards his...but it dropped when her other hand cupped his from below and with the other she gently closed his fingers. She held his hand in hers and looked up at him, "No...I'm sorry but...no..."
He nodded slowly, "Then this is where our paths diverge...for both our sakes I hope they do not cross again soon."
He began to recoil his hand but she held on, speaking quickly, "I believe you; when you say that you would not harm my brother...but I don't trust the rest of your people-especially your queen and princess. Please...I know they listen to you, don't let them hurt him." she pleaded.
He placed his other hand atop hers, "You have my word...if you give me yours; however the battle may go should you encounter any people of Arendelle who are injured or unarmed, that you will bring no harm to them...that you will give them a chance to escape the chaos."
"I can make no promise for the rest of my kind...but you have my word, no harm will come to them by my blade."
They both nodded, satisfied they released each others hands, Venereth then stepped even closer, "I would also ask one more thing of you..."
He furrowed his brow, "Yes...?"
She closed her face mask and removed her helm, letting it drop to the ground, "That you remove your helm..." he blinked in surprise but did so with some hesitance at first, as his helm hit the ground she removed her armored gloves-revealing her thin fingers for the first time. Then slowly her hands rose to his face, "And that you not move..."
The intention of her advance became clear as her hands met the sides of his face, but he did not recoil. Her eyes closed as she stood on her toes, her lips gently meeting his and her head turning. He returned the motions, his hands rising to meet her sides-more to hold her at bay than anything. This didn't stop her from deepening the kiss slightly, her left hand moving to the back of his neck and her body pushing against his. He did not resist but he did not give in either and after a few moments longer he moved his hands to her shoulders and gently pushed her back, breaking the kiss. It had been a unsure, inexperienced gesture...from one who had never known that kind of love before.
She shook, her eyes fluttering open and her hands moving down to his chest, a sad smile on her face as she breathed out breathlessly, "So...that's what that's like..."
He didn't respond, she looked away somewhat shamefully and broke away from the moment, gathering her helm and gloves before walking away. She stopped midway and looked back to him, "I wish you good fortune in your fights to come...Aldren Embercrow."
He nodded, she nodded back before taking to the sky and vanishing into the dark of the night. He breathed in and out deeply before retrieving his helm and sword and continuing his painful walk back to Arendelle city; home. Aldren found himself left with some surprise as he touched a finger to his lips...he had not tasted poison on hers...
OoO
Venereth made land a short distance from her master's throne, and there he stood with his back to her...waiting. She walked up to him and bowed her head, "My lord..."
He folded his hands behind his back, "Hmm, It would seem he is not as easily motivated by his...base desires, as most humans are...how curious. Still, I'm sure you 'tried your best'."
He was reading her-he always did, she decided to try and redirect his focus, "Do you really believe it is wise my lord to let him leave; to allow him to return to the queen's side...considering everything he knows now?"
"Leave?" he said as if humored by the question, he turned towards her, "You presume much to believe that I would allow him to leave this forest alive." she looked up, her shock only showing briefly before he went on, "I merely wished to avoid an unnecessary 'scene' if you will. A small force waits for him down the road he will try to take back to the capital, I assure you student...he was dead the moment he refuted my offer."
She turned gaze down as a deep aching gnawed at her chest she did her best to bury down, she looked back up, "Shall I...give the order?"
He tilted his head, "It is already given." on cue a tall figure materialized above one of the crystalline pads behind Amicus, the Witch King turned slightly, "General Tarn, is the trap set?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Very good...destroy him; leave no feast for the crows."
"With pleasure..."
Tarn's visage faded and Amicus turned back to her, "Report to Admiral Farraige and assist her in whatever fashion she deems fit."
She bowed her head and prepared to leave, "Venereth..." she turned back and he spoke again, low and cold, "Do not again give me reason to doubt your resolve."
"You have none." she replied firmly.
Satisfied-at least for now he turned away from her, she started to walk away, not yet taking flight. Venereth knew as well as any; for the wound that had been dealt to him Tarn would show no mercy ...and his cruelty knew no limits. She had been left with a deep uncertainty and sadness she had not known for...ever, questions plagued her mind-the type that would be called heresy by the rest of her kind. She remembered why she was fighting, she had to keep her focus on her goal-her real goal; freeing her brother. But the real question surfaced then; were either of them really free to begin with?...
Ooo
The storm that had been heralded by the thunder arrived and rain fell steadily through the branches, turning the forest floor to mud. Aldren could see well enough that he'd spotted a large treeless hill in the distance, one that could give him a vantage point. He needed to get back with all haste; Elsa had to know about the Witch King's true power and if he couldn't be killed through conventional means then they had to come up with something else...if he could in fact be killed. He shook himself of doubt, keeping himself focused on getting home.
As he made his way through the forest he was startled by the sound of heavy footsteps running past him in the distance. He stopped to listen but turned when he heard another set moving around him-and another; they were fast...too fast for only two legs. Wolves he thought at first, but in these days little was ever as it seemed, whatever they were they had gone silent...deathly silent.
He narrowed his eyes but was unable to see anything through the dark; the sound of the rain pattering against his armor and weapon obstructed his hearing...slowly he raised Black Autumn ahead of himself before igniting the blade. His breath cut short as several black scaled creatures shied away from the light that reflected their gnarled fangs, black soulless eyes and tyranite crystals embedded in their hides; tatzelwurms. It didn't take long for them to grow braver and begin to close in, he started to back up quickly, swiping back and forth-keeping them just at bay. The ones in front snapped and snarled at him while those in back started to circle around.
Aldren thought quickly, he turned and ran for the denser areas of the forest; he couldn't let them surround him. He would occasionally turn back and wave the blade in their faces to keep them from building speed but they had little difficulty navigating the maze of muddy hills, stumps and fallen trees. His leg was beginning to ache again, he was bleeding again...and they knew it; he couldn't outrun them indefinitely. He dove under a low log, quickly crawling through as two of the creatures lunged at his feet-fighting with each other to get through. While they were distracted he quickly stood and sliced down two smaller trees, the wurms scattered as the trees came crashing down.
The obstacle would not hold them long, he used this opportunity to put some distance between him and the beasts. He wasn't able to run much farther, his leg was growing worse; his breath quickened and his free hand shot to his wound. He groaned in pain, leaning his weight against a large tree that he got behind for cover. He lowered himself into a crouch, slowing his breathing and stuffing down the pain...then he listened; he could hear them ripping their way through foliage, their ragged breaths and ravenous cries for blood. He slowly stood himself up against the tree as he heard the pounding of clawed feet grow closer.
He grimaced and as the first set neared he leaped out from behind the tree and swung down, his blade met flesh and the creatures body sailed past him. The rest of the pack stopped and all emitted a shrill howl louder than those before, the death of the first seemed to only drive them into a greater frenzy. They sprinted forward, he let them come to him; spinning out of the way of one and slicing down into the back of the next. He slashed the leg of another, making it yelp in pain and think twice about attacking again. The first he had dodged came back around for another charge,when it pounced Aldren again dodged but this time snatched it by the back of it's neck and lifted it to his height. It bit and clawed at him but was only able to let out a short cry of pain as he drove the entirety of his blade through it's chest.
Just as he removed his weapon from the dead wurm he was yanked to the ground by his leg, he looked down to see another gnawing on his leg armor-working it's way up his leg. Before it could he swiped across it's face, making it flee-he scrambled back to his feet and swung back and forth at the remaining creatures, adding a spray of flames that caught one of the creatures aflame. The sight of one of their own running away on fire struck greater terror into the animals, just as Aldren thought he might've won he was shoved from behind, nearly hitting his head on the tree ahead of him.
He turned back to see a naga soldier swing a sword at him, he ducked the blade and drove his fist into their jaw, knocking them to the ground and sending their helmet flying. He was again caught off guard when another grabbed him from behind and tried cut hit throat with their blade. He flung his head back into their face and threw them over his shoulder next to the other.
He drew back and swung forward to take both their heads but stopped just short of their necks, his snarl dropped into a shocked, shameful gasp. The light from his blade illuminated their faces; Derad and Arvid looked up at him from the ground with fear in their eyes. Arvid's eyes went to his blade on the ground nearby and he attempted to reach out for it, Aldren held the blade closer, "Listen to me!" he cried out, a pleading look on his face, "This isn't who you are, Amicus made you into this but that doesn't mean you have to be what he made you!"
He withdrew the weapon, their expressions were utter confusion as he held a hand down to them, "Come with me, we'll find a way to fix this I know that-"
He was struck in the side by something very hard that sent him flying away from them and tumbling through the mud. He gasped for air and struggled to one knee as a voice he knew all too well spoke to him, "They will never be free Embercrow..." he looked up, the lightning overhead illuminated the massive armored frame of general Tarn, "Just-like-you."
The glowing red spikes on his mace crackled with power as he strode over to his prey, Aldren pushed himself to his feet. The general drew back and swung, the Embercrow ducked the first swing but not the kick to his chest that sent him back, sliding rapidly down a long, muddy slope that he had not seen behind him. Tarn watched Aldren slide down the slope and pointed forward with his mace,"Ruith e sios, Teich as a cheile! (Run him down, Tear him apart!)" three remaining tatzelwurms rushed past their master down the slope.
Aldren was unable to stop himself sliding down the slope, when he finally reached the bottom-coming to a harsh rolling stop. He coughed and groaned, wiping mud from his eyes as he pushed himself to his hands and knees, he didn't have long to rest as he was drawn to the sound of the pursuing tatzelwurms. He realized his blade was not in hand, quickly he searched and spotted it. He called it to him just as the first beast lunged towards him, he held the blade forward and the creature's momentum impaled itself on the end of his blade and it died with a pained shriek.
He was unable to remove his weapon before the second tackled him to the ground, they slid several feet through the mud, he held the creatures head in his hands-barely keeping the hungry jaws from biting down on his throat. With his own growl he punched the the monster, freeing himself of its weight long enough to roll back to his feet. The wurm shook it's head and snarled, jumping for him again-this time he caught the creatures neck in headlock. He held tightly, the creature in his arms struggling and clawing at his armored side, he squeezed with all his strength which was followed by a harsh crack.
He dropped the dead wurm and turned to find the third circling around him, more cautious then the other two but no less bloodthirsty. He glanced to Black Autumn which still sat in the corpse of the first, he reached out and the wurm bolted forward. His blade struggled to dislodge itself and only just managed to reach his hand for him to cut down on the creature's neck.
With the last wurm finally dead he leaned forward, panting hard-trying to catch his breath, he swallowed hard and raised his head. He saw that the slope had led into large clearing that was open save for a few scattered trees and a flat rock face just below the slope covered with boulders to his left, he began to relax slightly-believing he was alone in the clearing for now. Lightning cracked overhead and he discovered that was not true, he now saw the dark shape of at least a hundred naga soldiers that had the clearing surrounded. He rose to his full height, his blade that had previously been slick with black blood was burned away when he reignited it. There were too many for him to fight alone and injured, he didn't exactly have many options.
Things only got worse when he heard something very heavy descend down the slope behind him and land hard in the mud. He sighed and turned to see that Tarn had followed him. The naga general raised his hand and in response the naga soldiers stepped forward and aimed their rifles at the Embercrow who held his weapon in both hands; he could nothing now but face the end...
But then the general commanded and his soldiers lowered their weapons and stepped back. Aldren's brow furrowed and he turned back to Tarn who let his mace rest in the mud and took a few steps forward, "My liege would prefer that I have my men gun you down where you stand..."
Aldren glanced from side to side and then back to his nemesis, "But your liege isn't here now...is he general?"
"No...he is not." Tarn tapped his own chest plate with the end his clawed finger, "Do you know what this is made of?"
Aldren stared him down, refusing to grace him with an answer. The general held his arms wide, inhaling deeply in satisfaction, "The blades...of a thousand alfar warriors...just like yours." he added, pointing to Black Autumn. The embercrow lowered his gaze as the naga went on, "It is because of this armor I have never failed my liege, not-once. Battle after battle, war after bloody war and no craft among men, elves or even my own kind has ever breached it's shell." he growled quietly and raised his finger to his scarred jaw, "Until you..."
Aldren pointed his sword forward, "Your precious armor was bought with blood...and it'll be paid for with yours! Come close and I'll pierce the shell again through your heart!...come and face me alone if there is any honor in you!"
Tarn put his hands on his hips and chuckled bemusedly, "All I do at my lord's behest I do so with strategy in mind. Mine is the strategy that gains victory, no matter the cost...And honor? Honor is a myth, a sad lie told to justify the actions by your weak race."
The general raised his arm and closed his fist tightly, "But I need no such excuses, this-this I do for myself...this I gladly do for the pleasure of it. Oh yes, I want you to fight with what resolve you have left-all of it! Not because I wish to give you an 'honorable death'...but because I will allow no other to deny me the 'honor' of watching the light leave your eyes! Your sword, I would melt down to strengthen the plates of my armor! Your skull I would hang as a pendant from my neck but not before I delivered it to the Witch King and he showed it to your pathetic family! So that in that moment they would know that they-have-lost!."
He lowered his fist, "But...even I am not without mercy..." he stepped back and lifted his mace, "Submit without struggle and will give you the mercy of a swift end..."
Aldren eyes narrowed, "Never..." he spat.
"I hoped you'd say that."
"I would not kneel to the empire, I would not kneel to Amicus and I would never kneel to the likes of you!"
Tarn cocked his head, "Kneel?" he slowly walked forward, "I don't want you to kneel...I want you TO-CRAWL!" his mace struck the ground hard, crimson energy arching from it and exploding outward towards Aldren who was flung back several feet-colliding hard with one of the trees.
The elemental steadied himself and shook his head, blinking rapidly to focus back on the naga general who made his way towards him with murderous intent, "You fought valiantly at the Pike, to the bitter end...I trust this time will be no different!"
Aldren suspected that even if he managed to defeat Tarn that the other naga would not let him survive long after. But killing Tarn would mean a major advantage for the alliance, and so that was his only goal whether he lived or died for it. He bared his teeth, bringing Black Autumn back into both hands and lowering into a battle stance.
Before Tarn got close he swung his mace in a wide arc ahead of him, smashing through the trunks of three trees. Aldren's attention turned to the creaking of the trees falling towards him, he dove out of the way as they crashed to ground where he'd been standing. Just as he got to his knees he was startled by a loud roar; the general leaped over the fallen trees and swung down with his mace. Aldren rolled out of the way as the weapon hit the ground but was forced to jump back when his enemy followed with another wide swing at his midsection.
Once more his back hit a tree and Tarn swung down at him, he dodged and the mace obliterated the tree. Tarn was quick to pursue him with another back swing-this time aimed at his head, he spun under the brutish weapon and slashed hard at Tarn's side. The force of the strike made Tarn turn but he only snarled in annoyance, anticipating the general's next attack Aldren rolled away from the next crushing strike before pushing off a nearby tree with one foot back towards Tarn. As his momentum carried him he growled and slashed down into Tarn's chest with both hands, the power of the attack made the general stumble backwards but he still responded with another hammer stroke.
This one Aldren was nearly hit by as the weapon missed him by mere inches, but he was unprepared when the weapon swung back upwards immediately, colliding into his sword-the force making him fly back several feet through the mud. Aldren rolled over onto his hands and knees and shakily rose, he saw that he'd barely left a scratch in Tarn's armor; slashing wasn't enough, he needed a good thrust to pierce the shell.
Closing the distance again the general swung down, Aldren redirected his weapon into the ground along with his own. Before the general could retaliate Aldren stomped down on the shaft of Tarn's mace, knocking it out of his hand. Tarn grabbed at his opponent's face, the elemental spun behind the naga to his left and thrust at the side of his head. The general raised his arm in defense and turned away so the blade gleamed off the side of his helm, but not before making a significant cut through the armor of his left bicept.
Tarn hissed, grabbing Aldren's arm-spinning him face first into a tree, his helmet saved him from being knocked out but his sword had left his grip after the impact. And then the general grabbed the back of his neck and leg, holding him overhead and roaring. Before the brute had the chance to break his back Aldren called black autumn and twisted his body in Tarn's grasp enough to make a swing at the general's face plate.
The strike sent spark's flying that stunned the naga, making him drop his prey. Aldren attempted to aim the tip of his sword at his enemy's neck joint but the angle was not proper and the blade bounced off the metal, leaving him hanging over Tarn's shoulder-long enough that the naga reached back and threw him off to the ground. Aldren slid through the mud on his hands and knees, again losing his grip on Black Autumn.
The general walked over to his mace, kicking it up into his hand and moved to attack once more. From his kneeling stance Aldren fired a blast of flame to try and slow his foe's advance while he called Black Autumn back. His had his sword again but the flames had done little to slow Tarn's advance as his mace swung out from the fire. He raised his sword to block but the mace knocked it from his hand, Tarn swung down again but Aldren caught his arm with one hand. The general swung down with his free hand once and struck him but still Aldren held, a second hit but this time he man caught the other arm.
Tarn could feel where Aldren's hands gripped become warm, very warm, Aldren gritted his teeth-his eyes becoming coals as he pushed Tarn back and himself to his feet. He squeeze either arm as hard as possible and the heated metal began to give way. But just as it seemed he might gain the upper hand Tarn threw a hard kick at his wounded leg making him cry out and collapse back to his knees.
"Die!" The general bellowed, raising his mace in both hands and swung down on his head. With the last of his will Aldren called Black Autumn, holding it horizontally and with a wrathful scream rammed it upward into Tarn's wounded arm as he swung down. The naga howled in pain, there was now a slice on either side of the armor and the only thing Aldren could think to do was start sawing away at the metal as fast as possible if he could-
Tarn's fist across his face silenced his thought process as well as the hard kick to his chest that made him roll a few feet away onto his stomach. Tarn swung wildly in anger, Aldren was able to rise in time to avoid the first few attacks-but not the last. This time the mace carried into his right shoulder, the tyranite spike piercing through his armor into flesh and cracking bone. Aldren's face wretched in pain that brought him to his knees, a sorrowful scream of suffering that endured longer as Tarn twisted the weapon-breaking off the spike in his shoulder.
Smaller sobs and growls of pain escaped as his mouth as he attempted to rise from the ground and bring his sword up. Tarn did not let him-instead drawing back and hitting his sword so hard it collided back into Aldren's chest plate that it knocked his helm off and sending him towards the rocky edge of the clearing. He stopped when his back hit the flat rock face, he could only lie in the mud and moan in greater suffering than he had ever felt as he clutched desperately to his sword.
Tarn hissed in pain, looking over the new wound in his arm before angrily stomping towards the embercrow. But he stopped when his foot hit something, he looked down and saw his enemy's discarded helm...and begun to laugh, a laugh that started as a wheezing hiss of air that became a bellow of sadistic ecstasy. The General dropped his mace and pounded his chest with both hands, "Ha! All the years I have served my liege there have been few times I ever doubted his judgment. But to think that he ever believed you belonged with us-well! I'm almost insulted by the idea..." he leaned down and grasped the helmet in his enormous hand, "Ours is the strength of legion, but you are nothing...but a man..." he crushed the helm as easily as one would crumple paper.
With a strained groan Aldren finally was able to push himself up to his hands and knees, a thread of red saliva leaking from his chin, several cuts across his face and blood trickling out of the wound in the back of his shoulder. Rising to his knees with ragged breaths, he reached back and with no small amount of effort pulled the tyranite spike from his shoulder with a pained shriek. He dropped the shard...and lifted his sword, his knees wobbled...but he rose and with slow steps walked back towards Tarn.
The naga general tossed the broken helm away and marched towards the embercrow, the wounded warrior shakily raised his sword in both hands and swung forward. The general didn't even react to the weak strike, simply seizing the elemental by the throat and dragging him back towards the edge of the clearing. Tarn lifted him up and slammed him into the rocky surface-making him lose his sword, Aldren would scream but for the naga's iron grip choking him.
Tarn leaned in close, "A bloody fate awaits you and the rest of your incompetent race." he reached behind his back and drew a wicked, barbed dagger and held it to Aldren's face, "And I shall send you to be the first to join your ancestors in oblivion!"
Aldren grasped at the monstrous arm, and spit blood in Tarn's face that merely dripped down the metal surface before casting a last insult through raspy chords, "Be done with it then!"
"You had your chance to die quickly. And when I'm done...Arendelle's hope dies with you."
He inched the blade closer to drag it across his face, but just as the blade pressed down and drew blood a rumbling in the earth startled Tarn. His attention was drawn from the shaking ground beneath his feet to the rocks above them, the smaller ones tumbling down with the larger round ones beginning to follow after. While the general was distracted Aldren summoned the last power he had and shot a concentrated fireball into his attempted murder's chest-making him drop him and stumble back several feet. Tarn could only watch as the rocks slid down the muddy slope above his prize and buried him and his sword. The stone kept coming-more and more piling atop the spot where the embercrow had been until the mass of rocks was higher than Tarn stood.
The naga warlord looked upon the aftermath with seething anger, he roared loudly and slammed his fists into the rocks,"NO!" with a growl he turned away from the pile and paced.
He knew he was dead-he was dead; if he wasn't crushed then he would drown in the rain and if he didn't drown then he would bleed to death! He was dead-but he needed proof! He'd have to dig his corpse out of the rubble-
He stopped when he felt his foot bump into something once again, he knelt down and cleared the mud with his finger; revealing a small, barely noticeable object. A ring of ice with shades of red and violet in it's core, it had been a possession of the Embercrow's given to him by the snow queen ...it would do. He picked up the ring and pocketed it, also making sure to grab the broken helm and his mace. He took one last look at the pile of rocks before growling indignantly and turning to lead his soldiers back to their war camp.
The naga that had once been Arvid and Derad had watched the whole thing alongside the rest of their naga brethren. But while the others immediately turned to follow the general...they lingered, looking upon the rock pile with...sadness? They looked to one another with an expression shared doubt, Arvid quickly shook himself of it and swiftly turned to leave this place. But Derad stayed awhile longer...unsure what it is he was or should be feeling...but there was nothing to do; the embercrow was dead and that was all that mattered, he turned to leave but not before looking over his shoulder one last time..
OoO
For Aldren all had gone dark, he was too weak to move...to weak to lift the rocks or even lift his his own head and limbs; he was spent. He would die here, whether from blood loss or the flooding rain...but death was certain. Just as his eyes began to close he was startled by the sound of the rock's shifting, his breath quickened; another quake? had Tarn come to dig him out of the rocks and finish what he'd started? He was afraid-not of death, nor of suffering but that the last thing he'd have to see before the end was Tarn's baleful helm instead of his Elsa's beaming smile.
But all he saw through blurry eyes were the dark clouds in the night sky and the rain falling through the trees. The hands that grasped him were not Tarn's claws, they were rough still but not metal, like stone...and there were many of them. Yet they were gentle as they lifted his aching body off the ground and he felt them carry him away from what should have been his resting place.
He had not the strength to turn and see what held him now for rest would wait no longer. Perhaps they had come to take him; to carry him to the halls of his mothers and fathers...perhaps this was death...
Gonna try and have the next chapter out by the time the new movie premiers and by then we can all talk about what we love or hate about the current canon.
Until then please be sure to Fav, follow and review and I'll see you all next time! :)
