(I wish but) I don't own Capcom, Breath of Fire or its characters. But the
characters, and world in this story for the most part are my own creation.
And a Child Will Lead Them, Part Two
Aflan sauntered inside the room, stepping on the back of Silver as he entered. The dog-man snarled heatedly at the pompous ruler as the drunken guards did their best to stand to attention. Aflan rubbed his forehead in distaste as he called for four of his entourage to pick Imperial and Silver up off the floor.
Aflan walked over to the table the guards were previously sitting, picking up the empty wine jug. While his back was turned, one of the guards grabbed Imperial's staff away from her and started twirling it. He was doing pretty well until one of his fingers slipped, causing the staff to smack him hard on the head; the others snickered at his antics. Swearing loudly, the solider threw the staff toward the corner of the room where it nearly hit Prince Aflan. The prince's fingers tightened on the jug handle until his knuckles turned white. Turning, he glared furiously at the group of men.
"It would be a change of pace if my guards were sober enough to do their jobs correctly!" Aflan snapped, slamming the jug on the wobbly table. The snickering quickly gave way to silence. Aflan's eyes fell upon Orion handcuffed to the cell wall. His eyes widen for a moment before he turned looking bewildered at the jailer
"What happened to him?" Aflan asked politely, pointing his slim finger at the inmate. The jailer smiled boldly as he faced the Woren.
"He still had a bit of a struggle when the soldiers brought him in. I had to show him who he was dealing with before I placed him in the cell. Now he's ready for your command sir." The inebriated watchman finished the sentence with a slight chuckle.
Aflan joined in the fun with the gruff looking jailer and chuckled too. "So what did you do, stomp him?
"Yeah, I did" the grizzled man replied happily.
"You punched him too?" the prince laughed loudly.
"Yeah, I did." The keeper laughed just as loud as his liege. "Like he was a rack of meat."
Drawing his sword and pointing at Orion, Aflan continued "I bet you used the butt of your sword to give him that knot on his head, didn't you? You just kicked the snot out of him." The prince continued to laugh. The jailer going along with the way of the conversation laughed until he was doubled over wiping tears from his eyes.
Aflan's amusement promptly faded as he brought the hilt of his sword down upon the back of the keeper's head, knocking him unconscious. He gave an angry sigh, glaring down at the motionless guard.
"When I said I want him alive, I didn't mean barely! How do you moron's expect me to get the beast he turned into if he's half dead!" He replied through gritted teeth. Aflan rubbed his aching head as he turned to Silver and Imperial.
"Place them inside the cell with the others until I figure out how I am going to execute them." He waved nonchalantly. Once inside the chamber Imperial hurried over to Orion. Placing her hand delicately upon his face he raised his head weakly and gave her a feeble smile.
"I knew you would come." He whispered hoarsely. An attack of coughs racked his body unmercifully. A trickle of blood escaped his lips as his head fell to his chest once again. Imperial ripped a piece of her simple dress off to wipe the blood off of his face. The guards watched her lustfully as ripped another piece exposing a great portion of her legs to bandage his wounds.
Imperial franticly ran her hands upon the Woran's fur and closed her eyes. She was right his at least three of his ribs were broken. "He only wanted information." she whispered sadly. It didn't take Imperial more than a few moments to grasp if she didn't get Orion to a healer and soon, death rites would be necessary.
Another sentinel came racing inside of the chamber with a clamor. He was gasping for air as the prince and everyone else turned towards him.
"My liege," the solider panted out " Y...Y...Your brother is attacking the castle!"
"My brother's group of vigilantes is no match for my army, just go and call the captain for an attack." Aflan sneered as he picked at his teeth with his pinky fingernail.
"Sir!" the shaken solider shouted, "You don't understand! It's not just him with a small group of attackers, he brought all of his men and he has a boy with him!" Imperial stopped tending to Orion for the moment with her full attention on the solider.
"A boy?" She called out to the guard walking towards front of the cell, grabbing the bars that held her back. "What about a boy? Where is he?"
"A boy?" Aflan roared with laughter as he turned towards Imperial. "What is he? Are you serious? What can one little boy do?" The words barely escaped his lips before a grand explosion violently shook the fortress, knocking everyone to the ground. Dust and crumbling rock from the ceiling filled the room as frightened voices screamed into the night.
"That's what he can do!" the guard replied as he ran for cover. Scampering to get to his feet, Aflan called for his soldiers to come with him, leaving the group in the cell. Imperial rose brushing the dust off of her body while helping the others to their feet. She went over to Orion trying to find a way to open the stationed cuffs that secured him to the wall. Frustrated, she pounded her fist upon the metal latch.
"Allow me." Puren offered as she pulled a thin metal latch from the underside of the metal cot inside the cell. She proceeded to pick the lock that held Orion prisoner.
"There are so many things you can learn in a library." She replied with a sly smile to Silver.
A sharp click was heard, popping the cuffs and releasing Orion. He fell limply forward into Silver's waiting arms as he weakly thanked Puren. Silver placed the woren gently on the ground. Another explosion jolted the castle, causing the group to grab hold to something secure to stop from them from falling again. Silver grabbed Puren's arm gently, pulling her to the thick black bars that encaged them inside the jail.
"Do you think you can pick this lock, honeybunch?" Puren shook her head unsurely, studying the padlock that held them in the cell. After a moment she shook her head no in regret.
"The lock is too big for this small piece of metal. I need something wider to pop it open." She replied in disappointment. Silver cleared his throat drawing attention to himself. He pulled some golden utensils out of his pocket.
"They were just sitting there on the table. I thought that you would like them, honey.," he explained embarrassedly.
"We'll talk about stealing later, Silver." Puren reprimanded him as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
Grabbing the thick golden knife, she set to work. Taking no time, she picked the padlock easily. Imperial and Puren both taking an arm, picked up Orion dragging him between them. The dog man ran after Imperial with her staff in hand.
"You're very forgetful, thank goodness I'm with you." He voiced as they made their way out of the prison. The walls around them reverberated from another powerful blast as they made their way unsteadily through the dark pathway.
"I know a quick way out." Puren yelled to Imperial and Silver over the voices of frightened servants and guards as they moved as fast as they could throughout the castle. Puren lead them down a corridor that went into the kitchen. Letting go of Orion's arm, she ran over to a wall with a large brass plate upon it.
"This shaft leads outside the castle to the garbage dump. We can take it to the outside." She spoke as she pulled the brass chute door open. Imperial was the elected the first to go down the long slide. A few moments later the fox-woman followed suit. Silver sent Orion down and slid after him.
"Ugh!" Imperial sputtered from the smell of the humongous pile of rubbish she climbed through outside the castle. "The hygiene in this town must be non existent."
Silver helped Imperial lug Orion as best they could a safe distance from the commotion around the castle. After making sure Orion was safely out of range, Imperial took her staff from Silver.
"I need you to make sure Orion gets to Silos's inn outside of town." Imperial ordered. Both hesitated at the idea of leaving Auria but Imperial urged them on.
"Go," She commanded "and leave this place if I'm not back in an hour!" she raced off to the battle as Silver and Puren dragged Orion in the direction of Silos's inn.
"What are you doing, Imperial!" Silver yelled to her over the commotion.
"I have to save that little boy!' She shouted back to him, not stopping to turn to him.
Imperial used the hidden entrance to get back into the castle. Fighting her way through the hordes of panicking people coming down the catacomb stairs, she made her way to the King's chambers. There, Aflan stood by the glass case with ten guards watching on. Pulling a thin shard of glass off a necklace he wore, he stuck it inside the glass case. The looking glass lid opened slowly, presenting the paper inside. He grabbed the parchment and turned to leave, only to be stopped by the presence of Imperial. The guards drew their weapons at once and began to advance at the young lady. Aflan held his hand up to halt the proceeding defenders.
"How did you escape?" he questioned, staring at her in disbelief as he began to walk past her.
"Never mind," He recanted "Get out of my way..." Imperial boldly pointed her staff towards his chest, stopping his advancement.
"I know that little boy who is attacking this castle. If I don't do something he might die!" she replied jabbing him with her staff. Aflan backed away and sat down on his bed with his head in his hands. "So? What do you want from me, foreigner?"
"I want to know why your brother would use him to attack the castle." She asked angrily eyeing the paper he held in his hand. "What so important about that piece of paper that he's after it?"
"This "paper" as you so stupidly called it, has been in the royal family for ages. It explains how achieve never-ending life, you know, immortality." He replied sarcastically waving his hand daintily.
"To live forever building the supreme fighting force, soldiers that couldn't die, it's every Kings dream. I would rule the world if I could if I can get someone to translate the damn thing but I haven't perfected the act just quite right, yet. I had most of it interpreted by mages but the old farts can't get the rest. I used what I could understand in an on going experiment. " He explained to her.
Imperial eyes lit up as images flashed through her mind, the picture finally came together. "The bodies in the catacombs! You used an unknown spell on those innocent people! You use them as test subjects and when you can't control them anymore, you get rid of them by drowning them in the harbor." Imperial finished sickened by the thought.
Aflan shrugged indifferently at her. "They are in a state of suspended animation. All of them were promised riches if the test becomes successful but as you seen with your own eyes, no one could come to claim their compensation just yet."
Imperial placed the pointed end of her staff at the base of the prince's throat. The guards advanced forward with their weapons placed at her back.
"How could you take advantage of your own subjects like that?" She hissed low at him. Aflan pushed the staff away from his neck with a bored glance.
"Everyone takes advantage of something when given the chance, foreigner. Now do you want to know the rest of what I have to say or do my guards have to kill you?" He asked simply. Imperial stiffly held her hands up in a forced surrender as the prince waved the guards back. Another loud blast rocked the castle causing everyone in the room to brace themselves.
"After seeing the potential this spell had my brother wanted it. For twelve years we fought until my followers overpowered his. I was going to exile him but then I though about my father's rule. If I let my brother go, he might go to some other town and gain a bigger army and come for the scroll. The same thought must have run through his puny mind because he came to me offering an "agreement" of sorts. My men and his men both patrol equal halves of the city ordered to kill anyone attempting to leave or enter it. We figured that if we did leave someone else would come and take our scroll, so here we are" He paused to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Now, it seems that this time he just might get this spell. That little monster he has is destroying the castle and it seems I have no way of stopping him unless... " He grumbled resting his head back on his hand. "Very well, release the test subjects in the crypt. It might slow them down."
Imperial grabbed Aflan's arm and pulled him to his feet. "Are you mad? Those things will attack anything in their sight!"
Aflan pulled his arm free as he snorted at the young woman's. "Exactly! They will give me time to get away, you ninny." He began to walk off with his guards following suit. Imperial once again halted their process by stepping in the obnoxious prince's way.
"I have an idea on how you can keep the scroll and get rid of your brother at the same time. I'll need the spell, guards, some of those 'test subjects and you." She stopped abruptly, turning to stare him in the eye.
"And if anything hurts that 'little monster' as you so stupidly put it, I'll come back to deal with you on a personal level."
__________________ Outside the Castle Main Gates _____________________
Prince Gage watched the battle before him. Never in his life did he feel as powerful as he did right now! While his secondary group of followers attacked Aflan's townspeople in the city, here he stood with a group of thirty men and a child destroying his father's castle. He laughed at the irony of it all, a mere boy doing what he has been trying to do for years.
He commanded Lakaiko to send another fireball at the fortress, this time with more force then the last one. The magic guard shield the boy placed around them made sure they were protected from any harm. Men and women fell all around him as they fought with Aflan's guards. The sight of it all was wonderful! The scroll was almost in his reach, only a few feet stood between him and life never ending!
An arrow aimed for Gage's heart soared from within the fighting. Seeing the advancing dart, one of his followers, jumped in the way. The arrow missed it intended mark but just as easily sunk in to the young man's back. He turned his fading eyes to his prince and fell to his knees. Gage pushed the dying man out of his way and proceeded to walk on.
"Fool!" Gage muttered stepping over another lifeless body in his way. "You're blocking m way!"
As Gage and the remained of his men reached the castle main gate, he commanded Lakaiko to open the barred steel door. The little boy nodded solemnly, walking towards the thick metallic gate. Placing his small hands on the enormous door he let out a beastly shriek. A blinding flash of light erupted from his hands shattering the mass off of its hinges.
Aflan's guards struggled to fend off the attack but were quickly losing ground. They backed off to the inside of the castle. Gage and his men marched on into the fortress, not looking back nor helping their comrades as they fell. Inside, a different type of attack was raging. Hordes of insensible cadavers began to race towards battle, attacking both sides of fighters as they spilt out onto the town streets.
Once again, Prince Gage set his men to battle, while he walked unharmed the halls, laughing all the way. One of the dead seeing a chance to take a chunk out the prince and his ward, ran up behind the two with his mouth opened wide. Lakaiko turned towards the advancing body with his blue eyes flashing. Twin bolts of lightening discharged from within the depths, shriveling the poor soul into ash before the end of it's run. Gage brushed the chard remains of the former horseman off of his sleeve and continued on.
After a few attempts by some of Aflan's guards, the men realized that there was no way to stop the onslaught from both sides. Still they battled on although they knew they were only prolonging the inevitable. Gage smiled as he thought about where his 'loving' brother would be. The young prince Gage continued onward leaving his men behind as he made his way within the chaos.
In the grand hall on the former king's throne sat a somber faced Aflan, leaning on his hand as he looked sadly at the scroll. As the battle raged on here he was, left all alone to defend for himself. Having Lakaiko destroy the iron lock that was barring the warriors out, Gage strolled towards his brother with Kaiko in tow.
"Brother! I'm delighted you allowed for me to visit the place of my birth once again but enough with the small talk. I believe you have something I want." Gage voiced with false empathy. "Give me the scroll and I'll won't hurt you...too bad." Gage grinned evilly at his brother, stroking Lakaiko's head. "Or I will have to show you the full power of my little pet."
From the shadows Imperial shouted "Now" to the guards who were also hiding. On the signal, all of the sentinels let go of the chains holding the dangerous 'test subjects' they had in tow and immediately sprung into action, pushing the dead towards Prince Gage. Six of the guards surrounded Prince Aflan while four other's begun to attack Gage and whatever wandering corpse that came to close for comfort.
Aflan rose from his seat waving his piece of the paper at his brother, as he thumbed his nose. Instantly, Gage ordered Kaiko to take care of the lot of them. Within a bright flash of light, the lifeless as well as the guards lay as charred remains. With no one to protect him Gage rushed forward, punching his brother in the face. Aflan was sent sprawling out on the ground, Gage quickly bent over his brother, snatching the parchment out of his brother's tight grip. He growled angrily after realized the paper he held was a fake. He turned his sights to Imperial who waved an identical piece of paper in the air. "Looks like we both have something each other want." Her voice wavered slightly "Give me Lakaiko back and I'll give you the scroll."
"What!" Aflan sputtered in rage "We had a deal, you filthy little strumpet! How dare you double cross me!"?
"Why would I make a deal with some girl when I can have my pet kill you all!" Gage bellowed as he made his way over to Imperial. The little boy's eyes lit up with acknowledgement of his master's voice and once again shielded them from harm.
Imperial ran to Aflan and hovered him up into the air just as the child materialized large icicles in front of his chubby little hands. Kaiko recklessly shot at the two, trying to pin Imperial and the prince in any way possible.
As the ice crystals whizzed by them, Imperial's grasp on the real scroll loosened, sending it slowly floating to the earth. Seeing the paper float gracefully in the air, Gage rushed toward it while Aflan squirmed in Imperial's arms, yelling for her to let him go. As ordered, she dropped him to the ground and the two brothers scrambled for the paper. While they were diverted, Imperial landed and rushed over to Lakaiko.
Dodging the deadly icicles he sent her way, she was able to grab him, turn his around to avoiding being targeted by another assault. She quickly pulled the tight hypnotic bands off of his arms. Turning him towards her and staring intensely into his face, she hoped the bands didn't have a permanent affect on him.
Lakaiko blinked unsteadily for a moment before the brightness in his eyes returned. His arms encircled Imperial with a fierce hug but the action did not calm her, there was the problem of the civil unrest within the township.
"'Silos's trouble" He voiced excitedly. "Gotta help him!" Yet his attention was diverted away from the grunts and groans of the two brothers.
Gage and Aflan continued to fight over the paper as Lakaiko began to walk towards them. A yellow aura light surrounded him once more as he made his way to the two. Imperial realized at such a close quarters, his power would not only kill the two princes but themselves in the process.
Small bolts of lightning began to dance from under the feet of the child as he lifted his hands towards the sky, signaling the approaching doom. Something stirred inside of Imperial drawing her back to the mysterious words that were written on the scroll.
Make the choice.
Decide.
Say the words.
Without a second thought, she was chanting the spell as Lakaiko's energy reached its peak.
"Rise o holy one before me, spirit of life eternal." She whispered to herself.
Imperial felt warmth flood her body, as she felt disconnected from the scene before her. An amber beam of light engulfed the room, dissipating the energy Lakaiko created. A radiant red flame appeared in the shape of a monstrous lizard. The form transformed into that of a masked woman draped in burgundy robes. Somehow time had stopped, leaving the feuding brother's in a frozen in battle. Kaiko turned to Imperial, reaching for her hand as the woman smiled to herself.
"Well done." A familiar melodious spoke to Imperial. "You heeded the call of your blood and decided your destiny. Yet, you are still too weak to fight the forces after you. You seek the others to gain the power. You must hurry I grow weaker by the day."
Imperial took a step toward her, with her arm outstretched. "It was you! You saved me in the cave from that Chimera. You spoke to me in my dreams. You helped me, why?"
The woman sighed softly as reached for Imperial's face "I wish I time to tell you..." The woman voiced sadly, as she began to fade.
"Wait please! I still don't understand. How am I supposed to find the powers you speak of? What I'm supposed to do?" Imperial pleaded as a sudden realization hit her. "What about this town? I can't leave it like this. This all happened because of me and Kaiko!" The woman stretched out her arms and sung in a beautiful expression.
"My child, your compassion has saved this town. For you, I will grant these horrible creatures what they desire so much." The woman answered as her gaze descended upon the still frozen brothers.
Morphing back into the Lizard the beast engulfed the brother's in a fiery brightness. Time once again moved along but not before their agonizing screams filled the room. Imperial shielded her eyes from the sight. The woman called out.
A few moments later the light from the room dimmed. Imperial beheld the two brothers now standing as stone statues, both their hands clutching to a now petrified scroll. She cautiously walked over the sculpture, placing her hand unsurely on the cold marble. Both of figurines eyes shot open, their pupils wide with fear.
"Now they will live forever. As for you, child, "Find the emblems of the dragons, your destiny awaits." The sweet voice murmured to Imperial before disappearing into the night. Gathering Kaiko into her arms, Imperial slowly stepped away from the tragic scene.
Once again the castle started to shake violently as dust and rock fell all around. Imperial took to the air and fluttered out of one of the castle's shattered stained glass windows. She and Lakaiko watched the stone palace from above become incased in a mountain of stone.
The townsfolk astonished by the sight stopped skirmishing within the streets and watched on as the castle developed into a huge stone hill. As the dust settled, the undead disintegrated into the night air leaving the people to stare at each other unknowing what to do.
Within the confusion, the gray guard turned to a man along side him wearing ill-fitting black armor. Realizing the significance of the fallen castle, the gray guard removed his helmet and dropped his battle-axe. The man in the black armor detached the metal faceplate covering his head, rubbing his jaw he coyly.
"It's been a long time, Bishop." Sparks offered as he reached his hand out in a peaceful gesture. Bishop looked at the hand skeptically before grabbing the man into a fierce hug "Your right brother, it has been too long."
Seeing the display of brotherly reconciliation, another villager dropped his weapon and walked over towards an elderly woman and gave her a tight hug. Other villagers followed suit until all that had survived the deadly battle were mingling with each other.
A small smile came to Imperial's lips as she thought of the people now having the ability to come and go from the town, being able to talk to whomever they pleased. Yet that grin turned to a scowl as she fluttered to the ground. Her thoughts returned to what Lakaiko said when he came out of his trance. Placing the child upon the ground, she set her sights on the inn and Silos's cottage.
Lakaiko was correct in his statement that Silos was in trouble.
By her standards he didn't realize how much trouble he was in.
And a Child Will Lead Them, Part Two
Aflan sauntered inside the room, stepping on the back of Silver as he entered. The dog-man snarled heatedly at the pompous ruler as the drunken guards did their best to stand to attention. Aflan rubbed his forehead in distaste as he called for four of his entourage to pick Imperial and Silver up off the floor.
Aflan walked over to the table the guards were previously sitting, picking up the empty wine jug. While his back was turned, one of the guards grabbed Imperial's staff away from her and started twirling it. He was doing pretty well until one of his fingers slipped, causing the staff to smack him hard on the head; the others snickered at his antics. Swearing loudly, the solider threw the staff toward the corner of the room where it nearly hit Prince Aflan. The prince's fingers tightened on the jug handle until his knuckles turned white. Turning, he glared furiously at the group of men.
"It would be a change of pace if my guards were sober enough to do their jobs correctly!" Aflan snapped, slamming the jug on the wobbly table. The snickering quickly gave way to silence. Aflan's eyes fell upon Orion handcuffed to the cell wall. His eyes widen for a moment before he turned looking bewildered at the jailer
"What happened to him?" Aflan asked politely, pointing his slim finger at the inmate. The jailer smiled boldly as he faced the Woren.
"He still had a bit of a struggle when the soldiers brought him in. I had to show him who he was dealing with before I placed him in the cell. Now he's ready for your command sir." The inebriated watchman finished the sentence with a slight chuckle.
Aflan joined in the fun with the gruff looking jailer and chuckled too. "So what did you do, stomp him?
"Yeah, I did" the grizzled man replied happily.
"You punched him too?" the prince laughed loudly.
"Yeah, I did." The keeper laughed just as loud as his liege. "Like he was a rack of meat."
Drawing his sword and pointing at Orion, Aflan continued "I bet you used the butt of your sword to give him that knot on his head, didn't you? You just kicked the snot out of him." The prince continued to laugh. The jailer going along with the way of the conversation laughed until he was doubled over wiping tears from his eyes.
Aflan's amusement promptly faded as he brought the hilt of his sword down upon the back of the keeper's head, knocking him unconscious. He gave an angry sigh, glaring down at the motionless guard.
"When I said I want him alive, I didn't mean barely! How do you moron's expect me to get the beast he turned into if he's half dead!" He replied through gritted teeth. Aflan rubbed his aching head as he turned to Silver and Imperial.
"Place them inside the cell with the others until I figure out how I am going to execute them." He waved nonchalantly. Once inside the chamber Imperial hurried over to Orion. Placing her hand delicately upon his face he raised his head weakly and gave her a feeble smile.
"I knew you would come." He whispered hoarsely. An attack of coughs racked his body unmercifully. A trickle of blood escaped his lips as his head fell to his chest once again. Imperial ripped a piece of her simple dress off to wipe the blood off of his face. The guards watched her lustfully as ripped another piece exposing a great portion of her legs to bandage his wounds.
Imperial franticly ran her hands upon the Woran's fur and closed her eyes. She was right his at least three of his ribs were broken. "He only wanted information." she whispered sadly. It didn't take Imperial more than a few moments to grasp if she didn't get Orion to a healer and soon, death rites would be necessary.
Another sentinel came racing inside of the chamber with a clamor. He was gasping for air as the prince and everyone else turned towards him.
"My liege," the solider panted out " Y...Y...Your brother is attacking the castle!"
"My brother's group of vigilantes is no match for my army, just go and call the captain for an attack." Aflan sneered as he picked at his teeth with his pinky fingernail.
"Sir!" the shaken solider shouted, "You don't understand! It's not just him with a small group of attackers, he brought all of his men and he has a boy with him!" Imperial stopped tending to Orion for the moment with her full attention on the solider.
"A boy?" She called out to the guard walking towards front of the cell, grabbing the bars that held her back. "What about a boy? Where is he?"
"A boy?" Aflan roared with laughter as he turned towards Imperial. "What is he? Are you serious? What can one little boy do?" The words barely escaped his lips before a grand explosion violently shook the fortress, knocking everyone to the ground. Dust and crumbling rock from the ceiling filled the room as frightened voices screamed into the night.
"That's what he can do!" the guard replied as he ran for cover. Scampering to get to his feet, Aflan called for his soldiers to come with him, leaving the group in the cell. Imperial rose brushing the dust off of her body while helping the others to their feet. She went over to Orion trying to find a way to open the stationed cuffs that secured him to the wall. Frustrated, she pounded her fist upon the metal latch.
"Allow me." Puren offered as she pulled a thin metal latch from the underside of the metal cot inside the cell. She proceeded to pick the lock that held Orion prisoner.
"There are so many things you can learn in a library." She replied with a sly smile to Silver.
A sharp click was heard, popping the cuffs and releasing Orion. He fell limply forward into Silver's waiting arms as he weakly thanked Puren. Silver placed the woren gently on the ground. Another explosion jolted the castle, causing the group to grab hold to something secure to stop from them from falling again. Silver grabbed Puren's arm gently, pulling her to the thick black bars that encaged them inside the jail.
"Do you think you can pick this lock, honeybunch?" Puren shook her head unsurely, studying the padlock that held them in the cell. After a moment she shook her head no in regret.
"The lock is too big for this small piece of metal. I need something wider to pop it open." She replied in disappointment. Silver cleared his throat drawing attention to himself. He pulled some golden utensils out of his pocket.
"They were just sitting there on the table. I thought that you would like them, honey.," he explained embarrassedly.
"We'll talk about stealing later, Silver." Puren reprimanded him as she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
Grabbing the thick golden knife, she set to work. Taking no time, she picked the padlock easily. Imperial and Puren both taking an arm, picked up Orion dragging him between them. The dog man ran after Imperial with her staff in hand.
"You're very forgetful, thank goodness I'm with you." He voiced as they made their way out of the prison. The walls around them reverberated from another powerful blast as they made their way unsteadily through the dark pathway.
"I know a quick way out." Puren yelled to Imperial and Silver over the voices of frightened servants and guards as they moved as fast as they could throughout the castle. Puren lead them down a corridor that went into the kitchen. Letting go of Orion's arm, she ran over to a wall with a large brass plate upon it.
"This shaft leads outside the castle to the garbage dump. We can take it to the outside." She spoke as she pulled the brass chute door open. Imperial was the elected the first to go down the long slide. A few moments later the fox-woman followed suit. Silver sent Orion down and slid after him.
"Ugh!" Imperial sputtered from the smell of the humongous pile of rubbish she climbed through outside the castle. "The hygiene in this town must be non existent."
Silver helped Imperial lug Orion as best they could a safe distance from the commotion around the castle. After making sure Orion was safely out of range, Imperial took her staff from Silver.
"I need you to make sure Orion gets to Silos's inn outside of town." Imperial ordered. Both hesitated at the idea of leaving Auria but Imperial urged them on.
"Go," She commanded "and leave this place if I'm not back in an hour!" she raced off to the battle as Silver and Puren dragged Orion in the direction of Silos's inn.
"What are you doing, Imperial!" Silver yelled to her over the commotion.
"I have to save that little boy!' She shouted back to him, not stopping to turn to him.
Imperial used the hidden entrance to get back into the castle. Fighting her way through the hordes of panicking people coming down the catacomb stairs, she made her way to the King's chambers. There, Aflan stood by the glass case with ten guards watching on. Pulling a thin shard of glass off a necklace he wore, he stuck it inside the glass case. The looking glass lid opened slowly, presenting the paper inside. He grabbed the parchment and turned to leave, only to be stopped by the presence of Imperial. The guards drew their weapons at once and began to advance at the young lady. Aflan held his hand up to halt the proceeding defenders.
"How did you escape?" he questioned, staring at her in disbelief as he began to walk past her.
"Never mind," He recanted "Get out of my way..." Imperial boldly pointed her staff towards his chest, stopping his advancement.
"I know that little boy who is attacking this castle. If I don't do something he might die!" she replied jabbing him with her staff. Aflan backed away and sat down on his bed with his head in his hands. "So? What do you want from me, foreigner?"
"I want to know why your brother would use him to attack the castle." She asked angrily eyeing the paper he held in his hand. "What so important about that piece of paper that he's after it?"
"This "paper" as you so stupidly called it, has been in the royal family for ages. It explains how achieve never-ending life, you know, immortality." He replied sarcastically waving his hand daintily.
"To live forever building the supreme fighting force, soldiers that couldn't die, it's every Kings dream. I would rule the world if I could if I can get someone to translate the damn thing but I haven't perfected the act just quite right, yet. I had most of it interpreted by mages but the old farts can't get the rest. I used what I could understand in an on going experiment. " He explained to her.
Imperial eyes lit up as images flashed through her mind, the picture finally came together. "The bodies in the catacombs! You used an unknown spell on those innocent people! You use them as test subjects and when you can't control them anymore, you get rid of them by drowning them in the harbor." Imperial finished sickened by the thought.
Aflan shrugged indifferently at her. "They are in a state of suspended animation. All of them were promised riches if the test becomes successful but as you seen with your own eyes, no one could come to claim their compensation just yet."
Imperial placed the pointed end of her staff at the base of the prince's throat. The guards advanced forward with their weapons placed at her back.
"How could you take advantage of your own subjects like that?" She hissed low at him. Aflan pushed the staff away from his neck with a bored glance.
"Everyone takes advantage of something when given the chance, foreigner. Now do you want to know the rest of what I have to say or do my guards have to kill you?" He asked simply. Imperial stiffly held her hands up in a forced surrender as the prince waved the guards back. Another loud blast rocked the castle causing everyone in the room to brace themselves.
"After seeing the potential this spell had my brother wanted it. For twelve years we fought until my followers overpowered his. I was going to exile him but then I though about my father's rule. If I let my brother go, he might go to some other town and gain a bigger army and come for the scroll. The same thought must have run through his puny mind because he came to me offering an "agreement" of sorts. My men and his men both patrol equal halves of the city ordered to kill anyone attempting to leave or enter it. We figured that if we did leave someone else would come and take our scroll, so here we are" He paused to wipe his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Now, it seems that this time he just might get this spell. That little monster he has is destroying the castle and it seems I have no way of stopping him unless... " He grumbled resting his head back on his hand. "Very well, release the test subjects in the crypt. It might slow them down."
Imperial grabbed Aflan's arm and pulled him to his feet. "Are you mad? Those things will attack anything in their sight!"
Aflan pulled his arm free as he snorted at the young woman's. "Exactly! They will give me time to get away, you ninny." He began to walk off with his guards following suit. Imperial once again halted their process by stepping in the obnoxious prince's way.
"I have an idea on how you can keep the scroll and get rid of your brother at the same time. I'll need the spell, guards, some of those 'test subjects and you." She stopped abruptly, turning to stare him in the eye.
"And if anything hurts that 'little monster' as you so stupidly put it, I'll come back to deal with you on a personal level."
__________________ Outside the Castle Main Gates _____________________
Prince Gage watched the battle before him. Never in his life did he feel as powerful as he did right now! While his secondary group of followers attacked Aflan's townspeople in the city, here he stood with a group of thirty men and a child destroying his father's castle. He laughed at the irony of it all, a mere boy doing what he has been trying to do for years.
He commanded Lakaiko to send another fireball at the fortress, this time with more force then the last one. The magic guard shield the boy placed around them made sure they were protected from any harm. Men and women fell all around him as they fought with Aflan's guards. The sight of it all was wonderful! The scroll was almost in his reach, only a few feet stood between him and life never ending!
An arrow aimed for Gage's heart soared from within the fighting. Seeing the advancing dart, one of his followers, jumped in the way. The arrow missed it intended mark but just as easily sunk in to the young man's back. He turned his fading eyes to his prince and fell to his knees. Gage pushed the dying man out of his way and proceeded to walk on.
"Fool!" Gage muttered stepping over another lifeless body in his way. "You're blocking m way!"
As Gage and the remained of his men reached the castle main gate, he commanded Lakaiko to open the barred steel door. The little boy nodded solemnly, walking towards the thick metallic gate. Placing his small hands on the enormous door he let out a beastly shriek. A blinding flash of light erupted from his hands shattering the mass off of its hinges.
Aflan's guards struggled to fend off the attack but were quickly losing ground. They backed off to the inside of the castle. Gage and his men marched on into the fortress, not looking back nor helping their comrades as they fell. Inside, a different type of attack was raging. Hordes of insensible cadavers began to race towards battle, attacking both sides of fighters as they spilt out onto the town streets.
Once again, Prince Gage set his men to battle, while he walked unharmed the halls, laughing all the way. One of the dead seeing a chance to take a chunk out the prince and his ward, ran up behind the two with his mouth opened wide. Lakaiko turned towards the advancing body with his blue eyes flashing. Twin bolts of lightening discharged from within the depths, shriveling the poor soul into ash before the end of it's run. Gage brushed the chard remains of the former horseman off of his sleeve and continued on.
After a few attempts by some of Aflan's guards, the men realized that there was no way to stop the onslaught from both sides. Still they battled on although they knew they were only prolonging the inevitable. Gage smiled as he thought about where his 'loving' brother would be. The young prince Gage continued onward leaving his men behind as he made his way within the chaos.
In the grand hall on the former king's throne sat a somber faced Aflan, leaning on his hand as he looked sadly at the scroll. As the battle raged on here he was, left all alone to defend for himself. Having Lakaiko destroy the iron lock that was barring the warriors out, Gage strolled towards his brother with Kaiko in tow.
"Brother! I'm delighted you allowed for me to visit the place of my birth once again but enough with the small talk. I believe you have something I want." Gage voiced with false empathy. "Give me the scroll and I'll won't hurt you...too bad." Gage grinned evilly at his brother, stroking Lakaiko's head. "Or I will have to show you the full power of my little pet."
From the shadows Imperial shouted "Now" to the guards who were also hiding. On the signal, all of the sentinels let go of the chains holding the dangerous 'test subjects' they had in tow and immediately sprung into action, pushing the dead towards Prince Gage. Six of the guards surrounded Prince Aflan while four other's begun to attack Gage and whatever wandering corpse that came to close for comfort.
Aflan rose from his seat waving his piece of the paper at his brother, as he thumbed his nose. Instantly, Gage ordered Kaiko to take care of the lot of them. Within a bright flash of light, the lifeless as well as the guards lay as charred remains. With no one to protect him Gage rushed forward, punching his brother in the face. Aflan was sent sprawling out on the ground, Gage quickly bent over his brother, snatching the parchment out of his brother's tight grip. He growled angrily after realized the paper he held was a fake. He turned his sights to Imperial who waved an identical piece of paper in the air. "Looks like we both have something each other want." Her voice wavered slightly "Give me Lakaiko back and I'll give you the scroll."
"What!" Aflan sputtered in rage "We had a deal, you filthy little strumpet! How dare you double cross me!"?
"Why would I make a deal with some girl when I can have my pet kill you all!" Gage bellowed as he made his way over to Imperial. The little boy's eyes lit up with acknowledgement of his master's voice and once again shielded them from harm.
Imperial ran to Aflan and hovered him up into the air just as the child materialized large icicles in front of his chubby little hands. Kaiko recklessly shot at the two, trying to pin Imperial and the prince in any way possible.
As the ice crystals whizzed by them, Imperial's grasp on the real scroll loosened, sending it slowly floating to the earth. Seeing the paper float gracefully in the air, Gage rushed toward it while Aflan squirmed in Imperial's arms, yelling for her to let him go. As ordered, she dropped him to the ground and the two brothers scrambled for the paper. While they were diverted, Imperial landed and rushed over to Lakaiko.
Dodging the deadly icicles he sent her way, she was able to grab him, turn his around to avoiding being targeted by another assault. She quickly pulled the tight hypnotic bands off of his arms. Turning him towards her and staring intensely into his face, she hoped the bands didn't have a permanent affect on him.
Lakaiko blinked unsteadily for a moment before the brightness in his eyes returned. His arms encircled Imperial with a fierce hug but the action did not calm her, there was the problem of the civil unrest within the township.
"'Silos's trouble" He voiced excitedly. "Gotta help him!" Yet his attention was diverted away from the grunts and groans of the two brothers.
Gage and Aflan continued to fight over the paper as Lakaiko began to walk towards them. A yellow aura light surrounded him once more as he made his way to the two. Imperial realized at such a close quarters, his power would not only kill the two princes but themselves in the process.
Small bolts of lightning began to dance from under the feet of the child as he lifted his hands towards the sky, signaling the approaching doom. Something stirred inside of Imperial drawing her back to the mysterious words that were written on the scroll.
Make the choice.
Decide.
Say the words.
Without a second thought, she was chanting the spell as Lakaiko's energy reached its peak.
"Rise o holy one before me, spirit of life eternal." She whispered to herself.
Imperial felt warmth flood her body, as she felt disconnected from the scene before her. An amber beam of light engulfed the room, dissipating the energy Lakaiko created. A radiant red flame appeared in the shape of a monstrous lizard. The form transformed into that of a masked woman draped in burgundy robes. Somehow time had stopped, leaving the feuding brother's in a frozen in battle. Kaiko turned to Imperial, reaching for her hand as the woman smiled to herself.
"Well done." A familiar melodious spoke to Imperial. "You heeded the call of your blood and decided your destiny. Yet, you are still too weak to fight the forces after you. You seek the others to gain the power. You must hurry I grow weaker by the day."
Imperial took a step toward her, with her arm outstretched. "It was you! You saved me in the cave from that Chimera. You spoke to me in my dreams. You helped me, why?"
The woman sighed softly as reached for Imperial's face "I wish I time to tell you..." The woman voiced sadly, as she began to fade.
"Wait please! I still don't understand. How am I supposed to find the powers you speak of? What I'm supposed to do?" Imperial pleaded as a sudden realization hit her. "What about this town? I can't leave it like this. This all happened because of me and Kaiko!" The woman stretched out her arms and sung in a beautiful expression.
"My child, your compassion has saved this town. For you, I will grant these horrible creatures what they desire so much." The woman answered as her gaze descended upon the still frozen brothers.
Morphing back into the Lizard the beast engulfed the brother's in a fiery brightness. Time once again moved along but not before their agonizing screams filled the room. Imperial shielded her eyes from the sight. The woman called out.
A few moments later the light from the room dimmed. Imperial beheld the two brothers now standing as stone statues, both their hands clutching to a now petrified scroll. She cautiously walked over the sculpture, placing her hand unsurely on the cold marble. Both of figurines eyes shot open, their pupils wide with fear.
"Now they will live forever. As for you, child, "Find the emblems of the dragons, your destiny awaits." The sweet voice murmured to Imperial before disappearing into the night. Gathering Kaiko into her arms, Imperial slowly stepped away from the tragic scene.
Once again the castle started to shake violently as dust and rock fell all around. Imperial took to the air and fluttered out of one of the castle's shattered stained glass windows. She and Lakaiko watched the stone palace from above become incased in a mountain of stone.
The townsfolk astonished by the sight stopped skirmishing within the streets and watched on as the castle developed into a huge stone hill. As the dust settled, the undead disintegrated into the night air leaving the people to stare at each other unknowing what to do.
Within the confusion, the gray guard turned to a man along side him wearing ill-fitting black armor. Realizing the significance of the fallen castle, the gray guard removed his helmet and dropped his battle-axe. The man in the black armor detached the metal faceplate covering his head, rubbing his jaw he coyly.
"It's been a long time, Bishop." Sparks offered as he reached his hand out in a peaceful gesture. Bishop looked at the hand skeptically before grabbing the man into a fierce hug "Your right brother, it has been too long."
Seeing the display of brotherly reconciliation, another villager dropped his weapon and walked over towards an elderly woman and gave her a tight hug. Other villagers followed suit until all that had survived the deadly battle were mingling with each other.
A small smile came to Imperial's lips as she thought of the people now having the ability to come and go from the town, being able to talk to whomever they pleased. Yet that grin turned to a scowl as she fluttered to the ground. Her thoughts returned to what Lakaiko said when he came out of his trance. Placing the child upon the ground, she set her sights on the inn and Silos's cottage.
Lakaiko was correct in his statement that Silos was in trouble.
By her standards he didn't realize how much trouble he was in.