Birthright: Chapter 19 Birthright: Chapter 19
Allura let out a gasp as Kelar grabbed Keith/Vellum by his arm and flung him across the room, where he landed against the opposite wall. She then watched him as he shook his head, as Kelar charged for him. It was like watching two angels fight in the air.
"My father was a great fighter," Alysson stated. "But knowing that Keith is unexperienced in fighting this way, this puts him in a slight disadvantage."
"I hope he knows what he is doing," Allura stated.
"We all do."
"Vellum!" Kelar yelled.
Keith/Vellum dodged the attack, as Kelar came at him. Though before he could turn around, Kelar flew toward him, catching him off guard, and threw a punch that sent the younger man flying toward the ground.
Kelar landed and slowly approached him as he laid on the ground before him.
"You think you can defeat me, Vellum?" Kelar seethed. "Your attempt here is exactly the way you tried to fight me the last time."
"Back then I was an ignorant fool," Keith/Vellum stated as he slowly rose to his feet. "This time Im ready for your tricks."
"You're in the body of someone who barely knows his own talents," Kelar pointed out. "You are disadvantaged by that."
"At least I did not have to resort to turning myself into a machine in order to defeat someone."
Kelar looked at his torn shirt, then gritted his teeth as he pulled the rest of it off of him. This revealed to everyone in the room that his whole right side of his body was encased in metal.
"I will be more than happy to kill you again, Vellum, even if it means to kill your grandson with you."
Kelar charged at him, but this time Keith/Vellum did not anticipate his move. He was about to dodge to his right, when Kelar caught him and then charged toward the opposite wall.
The force of the impact as they both hit the wall, caused them to bust through.
"Keith!" Alysson yelled. "Damn we're 10 stories up."
Anala stared turned to her mother and they ran toward the hole that was created in the wall. They watched as Kelar and Keith fell the distance, but they were able to break off from each other.
"Damn, why'd they'd have to take it outside?" Anala asked.
"We'll keep a watch on them," Alysson stated as she turned to Xue. "You and Allura see to your friends."
"What are you going to do?" Anala asked.
"If Keith fails, we are the only one that can stop Kelar," she said. "We'll be back."
She turned to Xue, and with a nod, he took her into his arms, and they both disappeared from the throne room.
"Allura, why don't you go down and join them," Anala suggested. "I think they are going to need more than magic to defeat Kelar."
"My lion is still in that crevase," Allura stated.
"There's a short-cut behind the throne," Anala pointed out. "It'll take you straight down to the mines. From there, you can reach your lion."
Allura nodded as she turned to Hunk and Pidge. They managed to wake Lance up.
"When they are able, have them join me?"
"Will do."
Anala hugged Allura before she ran toward the throne. She then walked over to where Hunk and Pidge were and knelt down.
"What the hell happened?" Lance asked as he seated himself up. He cradled his head in his hands. "Felt like someone used me as a hockey puck?"
"Hockey what?" Anala asked.
"Long story," Hunk stated.
"Do you guys think you can handle getting to your lions?" Anala asked. "It seems that Kelar needed more space."
"We are," Pidge stated. "Lance, you think you can handle it?"
"Just point me in the right direction, and I'll be fine," he said. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine," she said. "Besides someone has to keep an eye on sleeping beauty here."
Lance followed her gaze to where Lotor was lying, still knocked out.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You do know of our history with the joker?"
"You're all in the same boat right now," she said. "I don't care about your problems with him, but if he is left alone here, one of the guards may take him away."
"Alright, you have a point," Lance stated. "Where can we get to our Lions?"
"Just head down the main hall, and take the first staircase to your right," she stated. "Itll take you straight to them."
"Green is waiting outside already," Pidge said. "Lets get yours and find where Keith went."
Lance nodded then took the communicator from his belt and placed it in Anala's hand.
"If you need help, just signal us," he stated. "We will come as fast as we can."
She nodded. "Go."
Hunk helped Lance to his feet and with one last nod, they headed out of the throne room. Anala let out a sigh as she turned to the sleeping Doom prince.
"Now, what kind of trouble can you cause?" she asked herself. "I hope they hurry."
"Now you die!"
Kelar was now straddling Keith/Vellum, as he started to strangle him.
"I killed you once, I will kill you again, and once you're gone, I will have complete rule over this planet."
Keith/Vellum grabbed onto Kelar's arms, as he struggled under him.
"There is one thing you should know, Kelar," Keith/Vellum strained to say. "Vallis a matriarchal society. Keith would not have been the next ruler."
"What?" Kelar asked as he tightened his grip around his neck. "What do you mean?"
"Lyana was the next in line to rule after me, since her mother died before me," he stated. "Her daughter, if born would have inherited the rule of Vallis after her. If she did not have a daughter, the rule would have been passed on to the next living female relative."
"You lie."
"Anala is the rightful heir!"
"You lie!"
"Think Kelar!" he managed to say. "Why do you think the Queen was given the rule and not her brother? It only appeared as if we were a patriarchal society to protect the rightful heirs!"
"Even if what you say is true, it wont prevent me from killing you," he stated. "You've only sealed the fate of your granddaughter as well. Goodbye Vellum, it was nice killing you again."
Kelar held him down by one arm, as he drew back his right arm. A thin blade appeared from his fist.
"Kelar!"
He looked up and then found himself flying through the air, as an invisible force threw him off of Keith.
Alysson ran over to where Keith was lying, quickly checking him over. Xue stood between them and Kelar, as the tyrant recovered from the sudden blast.
"Can't I ever be rid of you two?" Kelar grunted.
He advanced toward them, but Xue was able to bring up a force field between them.
-Milday, whatever it is you are doing, do it quick!- Xue warned.
Alysson nodded as she turned back to Keith. She gently shook him to try and wake him.
"Come on," she repeatedly said. "I know you're still alive."
A soft groan came from him and she let out her breath as she watched his eyes flicker open. He then let out a gasp as he placed his hands to his neck.
"You're alright," she said as she helped him to sit up.
"Damn, is there any other move other than choking the life out of me that he knows?" he asked. He looked around seeing that Xue was holding off Kelar, and that they were outside of the Castle. "How did we get out here?"
"Keith?" Alysson asked.
"Yes?" he said.
"Never mind," she stated. "Do you remember anything that happened between the time you were in the castle till now?"
"It's all a blur," he said as he closed his eyes. "But I keep on hearing something in my head."
"What is it?"
"Something about hitting a spot below the right wing," he said. "What does that mean?"
Alysson turned toward Xue as Kelar fought against the invisible force that was holding him back.
"That's it," she said. "We have to get him to fly again."
"Why?"
"Just remember that," she said.
"What are we going to do?"
"If its Vallis he wants, then he must fight me to get it," she said. "Whatever happens, you must remain behind him."
"But.."
"No, buts," she said. "We are running out of time."
Anala carefully helped Lotor to sit in the throne, once he was awake. He was still weak from the attack Kelar unleashed on him.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Remind me never to come to this planet again."
Anala smiled as she looked around the throne room.
"It isn't so bad, once you kick out the bad apples," Anala commented as she looked him over.
She noticed a slight discoloration that was forming on the side of his face. She turned to the satchel she wore around her waist, quickly pulling out a small square pack.
"Here, this will help the swelling," she said as she placed it to the side of his face.
Lotor was caught off guard, quickly capturing her hand before it left the side of his face. She looked down at him, meeting his questioning gaze.
"Does it hurt?" she asked.
"A little," he answered her, realizing the sudden coldness that eminated from the small pack.
She smiled as she tugged at her hand a little. "It's not going to heal any faster with my hand there," she stated.
Realizing her comment, he released her hand from his grasp. She studied him for a moment, trying to read the expression that he wore. He then turned away from her scrutiny of him.
"You are a strange one," she said. "And I don't understand this fighting you are engaged in with my brother."
"It's a rather long an involved story."
"And why are you helping him now?"
He turned to her. "Call me crazy."
"Xue, you understand what you must do?"
-I'll try my best.-
Alysson turned to her son, and gave a nod before meeting Kelar's gaze.
"Kelar, this is the last straw," she said. "If you want Vallis, then the only person you have to fight is me."
"You're only signing your own death certificate," Kelar stated as Xue's power over him subsided.
Alysson smiled. "Are you scared, Kelar?" she asked. "I've done enough hiding from you. It's time I took care of this."
Kelar laughed. "As you wish, princess," he said as he took a step toward her. "I shall enjoy killing you myself."
Alysson sent her silent signal to her son and with a quick movement, she took to the air, with Kelar following behind her. It's what she anticipated.
He was quick, his speed was definitely helped by his own enhancements. She had to use her own quick thinking to buy Keith some time. To get him where it would count.
She turned her head back to see that Keith was ready for their next move, and as she said a silent prayer to herself as she came to a stop, hovering as she watched Kelar near her.
"This is it, Kelar," she stated as she turned to him.
She concentrated on him as he neared her. As soon as he was near enough, she gave her signal.
"Xue, now!"
Just as Kelar neared her, he was suddenly grabbed by a force in mid-flight. Before he could recover, he was then slammed toward the ground.
"Now!" Alysson yelled.
Xue nodded as he released his power over Kelar, and placed his hands together. A spear of energy formed in his hands and before Kelar could recover, he tossed the spear up toward Keith. And with all the strength he had, Keith brought that spear down onto the intended target.
Kelar unleashed and inhuman scream. Keith had to take a step back as he watched the tyrant rule reel in pain, trying unsuccessfully to remove the energy spear from the lower part of his back. Whatever the weakness was, it rendered the man's right arm.
Alysson slowly descended as she landed before him. She could only stare down at him seeing the agony he was in. Inside, she felt a sense of triumph, knowing that finally, the whole ordeal, was over.
Xue approached her, coming to stand by her side as she made her way toward Kelar. She then kneeled before him, as he met her gaze, pain in his eyes.
"Now you see what I had to go through," she seethed. "For your crimes against Vallis, you Lord Kelar are subjected to the most severe of our laws. For your tyranny over its people, I as acting ruler of this planet, sentence you to leave here, to never return."
"You think you have won this, Princess?" he asked.
"Your power over the people has ended," she stated. "Right now, the members of the Voltron Force are releasing those you have enslaved. Once they rejoin their families, do you honestly think that they will want you to lead them? After what you have put them through?"
"You never understood what true power can achieve, princess," he said. "And you never will!"
Xue was the first to react as Kelar struck out at her. Alysson let out a scream as she was suddenly shoved back. She then felt two arms grab her, and as she opened her eyes again, she saw a bright light form before her. She had to shield her eyes from it, and the last thing she could hear, was the blood curdling cry, before it was silenced.
She slowly opened her eyes, frantically looking around seeing that Kelar was nowhere to be found. She then noticed the still form before her, and cried out as Xue fell to the ground before her.
She released herself from Keith's hold as she crawled over to his unmoving form, as tears came to her eyes when she saw the deep wound that was in his chest.
"Xue!"
She took him into her arms, cradling him, seeing that he was still alive, barely.
-I'm sorry milady, he caught me off guard,- he stated, struggling to form the words.
"What happened?" she asked. "Where did he go?"
He let out a cough, and her concern started to grow when she noticed that his wound was bleeding profusely. She turned to Keith who came over to her noticing the wound as well.
"Damn," he said as he quickly ripped open the shirt Xue wore. He winced at what he saw, slowly shaking his head.
-He will no longer bother you, milady,- Xue said. -He's gone to some place where he will not bother a soul again.-
"How is that possible?" Alysson asked.
He smiled weakly. -Even I don't know, milady.-
"We have to get him back to the Castle," Keith started to say. "I don't even know enough on his physiology to help him."
-Thank you for your kindness, milady,- Xue started to say, his eyes started to grow heavy. -Since the day you joined us, I knew you were special. And it only surprised me more to see the kindness you have displayed toward me-
"Xue, don't say such things," Alysson said as she fought back her tears. "We will get you some help."
-Only my people can help me, milady. Please forgive me for taking the appearance of your late husband. I only wanted to please you.-
"You don't know how much you have helped me, Xue," she stated.
-If given more time, Alysson....- he started to say. His eyes started to draw close as his grip on her arm slackened. -I would have wanted to fill his shoes....-
Before she could answer, she heard his breathing become shallow, and his body soon became heavier. Tears flooded her eyes as she held him close to her.
"We can still save him," Keith said as he placed his hand on her own. "We have to get him back to the Castle."
"You heard Kelar, his people are from the northern territories," Alysson stated. "It's a fortnights ride."
"You don't have Voltron to do it," he said. "Come on."
Allura let out a gasp as Kelar grabbed Keith/Vellum by his arm and flung him across the room, where he landed against the opposite wall. She then watched him as he shook his head, as Kelar charged for him. It was like watching two angels fight in the air.
"My father was a great fighter," Alysson stated. "But knowing that Keith is unexperienced in fighting this way, this puts him in a slight disadvantage."
"I hope he knows what he is doing," Allura stated.
"We all do."
"Vellum!" Kelar yelled.
Keith/Vellum dodged the attack, as Kelar came at him. Though before he could turn around, Kelar flew toward him, catching him off guard, and threw a punch that sent the younger man flying toward the ground.
Kelar landed and slowly approached him as he laid on the ground before him.
"You think you can defeat me, Vellum?" Kelar seethed. "Your attempt here is exactly the way you tried to fight me the last time."
"Back then I was an ignorant fool," Keith/Vellum stated as he slowly rose to his feet. "This time Im ready for your tricks."
"You're in the body of someone who barely knows his own talents," Kelar pointed out. "You are disadvantaged by that."
"At least I did not have to resort to turning myself into a machine in order to defeat someone."
Kelar looked at his torn shirt, then gritted his teeth as he pulled the rest of it off of him. This revealed to everyone in the room that his whole right side of his body was encased in metal.
"I will be more than happy to kill you again, Vellum, even if it means to kill your grandson with you."
Kelar charged at him, but this time Keith/Vellum did not anticipate his move. He was about to dodge to his right, when Kelar caught him and then charged toward the opposite wall.
The force of the impact as they both hit the wall, caused them to bust through.
"Keith!" Alysson yelled. "Damn we're 10 stories up."
Anala stared turned to her mother and they ran toward the hole that was created in the wall. They watched as Kelar and Keith fell the distance, but they were able to break off from each other.
"Damn, why'd they'd have to take it outside?" Anala asked.
"We'll keep a watch on them," Alysson stated as she turned to Xue. "You and Allura see to your friends."
"What are you going to do?" Anala asked.
"If Keith fails, we are the only one that can stop Kelar," she said. "We'll be back."
She turned to Xue, and with a nod, he took her into his arms, and they both disappeared from the throne room.
"Allura, why don't you go down and join them," Anala suggested. "I think they are going to need more than magic to defeat Kelar."
"My lion is still in that crevase," Allura stated.
"There's a short-cut behind the throne," Anala pointed out. "It'll take you straight down to the mines. From there, you can reach your lion."
Allura nodded as she turned to Hunk and Pidge. They managed to wake Lance up.
"When they are able, have them join me?"
"Will do."
Anala hugged Allura before she ran toward the throne. She then walked over to where Hunk and Pidge were and knelt down.
"What the hell happened?" Lance asked as he seated himself up. He cradled his head in his hands. "Felt like someone used me as a hockey puck?"
"Hockey what?" Anala asked.
"Long story," Hunk stated.
"Do you guys think you can handle getting to your lions?" Anala asked. "It seems that Kelar needed more space."
"We are," Pidge stated. "Lance, you think you can handle it?"
"Just point me in the right direction, and I'll be fine," he said. "What about you?"
"I'll be fine," she said. "Besides someone has to keep an eye on sleeping beauty here."
Lance followed her gaze to where Lotor was lying, still knocked out.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "You do know of our history with the joker?"
"You're all in the same boat right now," she said. "I don't care about your problems with him, but if he is left alone here, one of the guards may take him away."
"Alright, you have a point," Lance stated. "Where can we get to our Lions?"
"Just head down the main hall, and take the first staircase to your right," she stated. "Itll take you straight to them."
"Green is waiting outside already," Pidge said. "Lets get yours and find where Keith went."
Lance nodded then took the communicator from his belt and placed it in Anala's hand.
"If you need help, just signal us," he stated. "We will come as fast as we can."
She nodded. "Go."
Hunk helped Lance to his feet and with one last nod, they headed out of the throne room. Anala let out a sigh as she turned to the sleeping Doom prince.
"Now, what kind of trouble can you cause?" she asked herself. "I hope they hurry."
"Now you die!"
Kelar was now straddling Keith/Vellum, as he started to strangle him.
"I killed you once, I will kill you again, and once you're gone, I will have complete rule over this planet."
Keith/Vellum grabbed onto Kelar's arms, as he struggled under him.
"There is one thing you should know, Kelar," Keith/Vellum strained to say. "Vallis a matriarchal society. Keith would not have been the next ruler."
"What?" Kelar asked as he tightened his grip around his neck. "What do you mean?"
"Lyana was the next in line to rule after me, since her mother died before me," he stated. "Her daughter, if born would have inherited the rule of Vallis after her. If she did not have a daughter, the rule would have been passed on to the next living female relative."
"You lie."
"Anala is the rightful heir!"
"You lie!"
"Think Kelar!" he managed to say. "Why do you think the Queen was given the rule and not her brother? It only appeared as if we were a patriarchal society to protect the rightful heirs!"
"Even if what you say is true, it wont prevent me from killing you," he stated. "You've only sealed the fate of your granddaughter as well. Goodbye Vellum, it was nice killing you again."
Kelar held him down by one arm, as he drew back his right arm. A thin blade appeared from his fist.
"Kelar!"
He looked up and then found himself flying through the air, as an invisible force threw him off of Keith.
Alysson ran over to where Keith was lying, quickly checking him over. Xue stood between them and Kelar, as the tyrant recovered from the sudden blast.
"Can't I ever be rid of you two?" Kelar grunted.
He advanced toward them, but Xue was able to bring up a force field between them.
-Milday, whatever it is you are doing, do it quick!- Xue warned.
Alysson nodded as she turned back to Keith. She gently shook him to try and wake him.
"Come on," she repeatedly said. "I know you're still alive."
A soft groan came from him and she let out her breath as she watched his eyes flicker open. He then let out a gasp as he placed his hands to his neck.
"You're alright," she said as she helped him to sit up.
"Damn, is there any other move other than choking the life out of me that he knows?" he asked. He looked around seeing that Xue was holding off Kelar, and that they were outside of the Castle. "How did we get out here?"
"Keith?" Alysson asked.
"Yes?" he said.
"Never mind," she stated. "Do you remember anything that happened between the time you were in the castle till now?"
"It's all a blur," he said as he closed his eyes. "But I keep on hearing something in my head."
"What is it?"
"Something about hitting a spot below the right wing," he said. "What does that mean?"
Alysson turned toward Xue as Kelar fought against the invisible force that was holding him back.
"That's it," she said. "We have to get him to fly again."
"Why?"
"Just remember that," she said.
"What are we going to do?"
"If its Vallis he wants, then he must fight me to get it," she said. "Whatever happens, you must remain behind him."
"But.."
"No, buts," she said. "We are running out of time."
Anala carefully helped Lotor to sit in the throne, once he was awake. He was still weak from the attack Kelar unleashed on him.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
"Remind me never to come to this planet again."
Anala smiled as she looked around the throne room.
"It isn't so bad, once you kick out the bad apples," Anala commented as she looked him over.
She noticed a slight discoloration that was forming on the side of his face. She turned to the satchel she wore around her waist, quickly pulling out a small square pack.
"Here, this will help the swelling," she said as she placed it to the side of his face.
Lotor was caught off guard, quickly capturing her hand before it left the side of his face. She looked down at him, meeting his questioning gaze.
"Does it hurt?" she asked.
"A little," he answered her, realizing the sudden coldness that eminated from the small pack.
She smiled as she tugged at her hand a little. "It's not going to heal any faster with my hand there," she stated.
Realizing her comment, he released her hand from his grasp. She studied him for a moment, trying to read the expression that he wore. He then turned away from her scrutiny of him.
"You are a strange one," she said. "And I don't understand this fighting you are engaged in with my brother."
"It's a rather long an involved story."
"And why are you helping him now?"
He turned to her. "Call me crazy."
"Xue, you understand what you must do?"
-I'll try my best.-
Alysson turned to her son, and gave a nod before meeting Kelar's gaze.
"Kelar, this is the last straw," she said. "If you want Vallis, then the only person you have to fight is me."
"You're only signing your own death certificate," Kelar stated as Xue's power over him subsided.
Alysson smiled. "Are you scared, Kelar?" she asked. "I've done enough hiding from you. It's time I took care of this."
Kelar laughed. "As you wish, princess," he said as he took a step toward her. "I shall enjoy killing you myself."
Alysson sent her silent signal to her son and with a quick movement, she took to the air, with Kelar following behind her. It's what she anticipated.
He was quick, his speed was definitely helped by his own enhancements. She had to use her own quick thinking to buy Keith some time. To get him where it would count.
She turned her head back to see that Keith was ready for their next move, and as she said a silent prayer to herself as she came to a stop, hovering as she watched Kelar near her.
"This is it, Kelar," she stated as she turned to him.
She concentrated on him as he neared her. As soon as he was near enough, she gave her signal.
"Xue, now!"
Just as Kelar neared her, he was suddenly grabbed by a force in mid-flight. Before he could recover, he was then slammed toward the ground.
"Now!" Alysson yelled.
Xue nodded as he released his power over Kelar, and placed his hands together. A spear of energy formed in his hands and before Kelar could recover, he tossed the spear up toward Keith. And with all the strength he had, Keith brought that spear down onto the intended target.
Kelar unleashed and inhuman scream. Keith had to take a step back as he watched the tyrant rule reel in pain, trying unsuccessfully to remove the energy spear from the lower part of his back. Whatever the weakness was, it rendered the man's right arm.
Alysson slowly descended as she landed before him. She could only stare down at him seeing the agony he was in. Inside, she felt a sense of triumph, knowing that finally, the whole ordeal, was over.
Xue approached her, coming to stand by her side as she made her way toward Kelar. She then kneeled before him, as he met her gaze, pain in his eyes.
"Now you see what I had to go through," she seethed. "For your crimes against Vallis, you Lord Kelar are subjected to the most severe of our laws. For your tyranny over its people, I as acting ruler of this planet, sentence you to leave here, to never return."
"You think you have won this, Princess?" he asked.
"Your power over the people has ended," she stated. "Right now, the members of the Voltron Force are releasing those you have enslaved. Once they rejoin their families, do you honestly think that they will want you to lead them? After what you have put them through?"
"You never understood what true power can achieve, princess," he said. "And you never will!"
Xue was the first to react as Kelar struck out at her. Alysson let out a scream as she was suddenly shoved back. She then felt two arms grab her, and as she opened her eyes again, she saw a bright light form before her. She had to shield her eyes from it, and the last thing she could hear, was the blood curdling cry, before it was silenced.
She slowly opened her eyes, frantically looking around seeing that Kelar was nowhere to be found. She then noticed the still form before her, and cried out as Xue fell to the ground before her.
She released herself from Keith's hold as she crawled over to his unmoving form, as tears came to her eyes when she saw the deep wound that was in his chest.
"Xue!"
She took him into her arms, cradling him, seeing that he was still alive, barely.
-I'm sorry milady, he caught me off guard,- he stated, struggling to form the words.
"What happened?" she asked. "Where did he go?"
He let out a cough, and her concern started to grow when she noticed that his wound was bleeding profusely. She turned to Keith who came over to her noticing the wound as well.
"Damn," he said as he quickly ripped open the shirt Xue wore. He winced at what he saw, slowly shaking his head.
-He will no longer bother you, milady,- Xue said. -He's gone to some place where he will not bother a soul again.-
"How is that possible?" Alysson asked.
He smiled weakly. -Even I don't know, milady.-
"We have to get him back to the Castle," Keith started to say. "I don't even know enough on his physiology to help him."
-Thank you for your kindness, milady,- Xue started to say, his eyes started to grow heavy. -Since the day you joined us, I knew you were special. And it only surprised me more to see the kindness you have displayed toward me-
"Xue, don't say such things," Alysson said as she fought back her tears. "We will get you some help."
-Only my people can help me, milady. Please forgive me for taking the appearance of your late husband. I only wanted to please you.-
"You don't know how much you have helped me, Xue," she stated.
-If given more time, Alysson....- he started to say. His eyes started to draw close as his grip on her arm slackened. -I would have wanted to fill his shoes....-
Before she could answer, she heard his breathing become shallow, and his body soon became heavier. Tears flooded her eyes as she held him close to her.
"We can still save him," Keith said as he placed his hand on her own. "We have to get him back to the Castle."
"You heard Kelar, his people are from the northern territories," Alysson stated. "It's a fortnights ride."
"You don't have Voltron to do it," he said. "Come on."