The
stark white towers of Renada shown in the evening sun. The
tall
spires
overlooked the dazzling city below, from atop its perch above
the
alcove, overlooking the Ugeli River. A wind of change was
swooping
through the city, flowing up the walls of the castle,
entwining
themselves with the newly placed flags of the Imperial
Order.
Lavitz
Shawe strode through the hallways, coming into the great hall
of
Renada. Four Crimson Red bodyguards, the Blood Knights,
followed
behind
him. He strode up to the throne, turning, letting his cape
flow
behind him as he sat, a content smile to his face. The conquest
of
Sion was complete. He was the ruler now.
His
four bodyguards took up positions in the hall. Two at the door,
two
of them to either side of the throne. They were more for mere
show
then actual usefulness. There was no one on Sion left that
can
threaten
him or his power. His rule was complete, his dominance
final.
It
had been four years since the death of his would-be second
in
command,
Bryan Fury. It had not phased him, not in the least. Bryan
was
too cocky for his own good, Lavitz knew that. Deep down inside
of
him,
it what was left of the "old" Lavitz, he hated Bryan
deeply.
Three
cloaked figures, dark brown hoodies, converged upon the
entrance
to the castle. Four Elite Imperial Guardsmen blocked their
way.
Two of them put their spears in front of the grand door,
blocking
the entrance.
"No one is allowed inside of the castle," One said.
The
one in the middle of the three stood silently for a moment. His
hand
came out of his robe, waving in front of the soldiers, the
air
tingling
with magic.
The
soldier shook his head, and then turned back. "I mean of
course,
save
for you three," he said with a nod, allowing them passage
inside.
They
made their way up the stairs, the lead man convincing guards as
they
went. They walked slowly, measuredly to the entrance of the
Great
Hall, two Crimson Guards flanking the sides of the doorway.
With
a touch of magic, they stepped into the Hall.
Lavitz
Shawe, who had been at that time lost in thought, starred up
from
his dreamy gaze. He saw the three in brown robings standing in
midst
of the halls. He turned to the guard nearest him.
"Didn't
I say that I shall not be disturbed?" he said with a
bored
tone.
The
Guard didn't move or say anything at first. "I had told all
the
guards
in the building to not allow anyone inside, sire" he
said,
bowing
quickly, "My life is forfeit for this grave mistake"
Lavitz
chuckled, "O please just stand up. I do not your blood on
this
rich carpentry," he said with a grin. He turned to the
three,
"Leave me" he said.
The
lead man walked forward, taking his hood off slowly. His hair
was
tossled,
a short goatee and moustache to his face. He stood around
6'2",
his muscular body defining the brown robe before him. He
slowly
parted his robe, a sword jetting out of it. Its brilliantly
black
and gold handle, the word "TRUTH" blazing in the
light,
twinking
in Lavitz's eye. A twenty two year old Phoenix Shawe stood
before
his father, the spitting image of what Lavitz was so long
ago.
Lavitz's
eyes starred in shock, then a small grin came to his
face.
"Seize them," he said smoothly.
The
four Blood Knights ran with amazing speed towards the three.
Phoenix
continued to walk forward, arms at his side. The one to his
left,
flew forward, Dragonblade outstretched as he dueled with the
two
blood nights. Blake's long red hair fell smoothly over his
face,
his boyish features now gone, a deep scar running down the
side
of his face. It was the price he had paid for the
ultimate
retribution.
The
other to his right flew out of her cloak, hands outstretched
into
the air. She wore a tight light brown top, beige leather
pants,
tapering off into small brown boots. Her curves were
amazing,
Aurora fitting in to her woman hood. She was one of the
most
attractive people alive, save when she was in this mode. She
also
became the fiercest. Her eyebrows were creased as she
muttered
spells,
her hands working extremely fast, light coming from the
rings
of passion.
Lavitz
stood up from his throne, watching the utter useless ness of
the
guards. He starred at his son who was walking toward him. He
pulled
the Sword of Power that was at his side, its deafening ring
filling
the air, the sound of energy cackling from it. He grinned
at
him. "When I finish you this day Phoenix, everything will
be
complete
and I shall be the ruler of all things" Lavitz said
smoothly,
no hint of the anger that boiled inside of him.
Phoenix
reached down, pulling out the Sword of Truth, aware of the
chaos
around him, but focusing on his father. Its familiar ring
filled
the room, overpowering his fathers. The word TRUTH burned in
his
hand as he placed the blade before his face. "You will
never
rule
everything father. It is not your destiny" He swung the
sword
diagonally
fast.
Lavitz
blocked and parried with his own. A duel between father and
son
had begun on the raised level of the thrown room. Energy clashes
and
metal rings erupted from the battle. Lavitz was surprised at how
well
his son had become adapt through the sword; he was actually
TRYING
to hit him, which was something Lavitz wasn't used to.
With
a quick spin, Phoenix twirled around his father, his hand
covering
Lavitz's face. Immediately, Lavitz's face began to burn, he
screaming
in horror. The Sword of Power fell from his hands,
clanging
loudly on the floor. He screamed in pain, grasping at
Phoenix's
hand, trying to take it off. Aurora and Blake, finished
with
the guards, walked up behind Phoenix.
"See father" Phoenix began, "See the truth father"
"See"
Blake said.
"Seek"
Phoenix followed.
"Confess"
Aurora finished.
With
those final three words, Lavitz's entire world fell into
chaos...