Chapter Two:
Zambiandë's Fury

Suddenly, a large shadow formed over the Dreg camp. Fifteen feet tall, with gray armor, He looked and acted the part of a god. There was blood all over his body, like he had just been resurrected from the dead. Elephande and Elephade turned, and looked into a face neither had seen for 778 years…

"Altoda… how unexpected," remarked Elephade.

"Silence, Zambiandë," Altoda said with a sneer. "So, the High Elder set up a reunion of Frontian without inviting me?" he inquired.

"You know quite well why you weren't informed, General of Discord," said Suliantig. "This is the day of redemption for those who followed you."

"Ah… The Mark, as well… How touching."

Suliantig charged at Altoda, who sent out bolts of lightning at him.

"Aldones, Marto…" remarked Altoda. "Where are your manners?"

"In the same pit you came from, Altoda."

"Aldones, aldones… Is that any way to speak to an old friend?" he sneered.

Defoc and Suisande glared at Altoda, while Suliantig took direct action. He again charged at Altoda, who made no attempt to block him.

"Not yet, my friend. There is only one who can touch me now…"

"I took you on once, and I'll do it again, iste unto," remarked Elephande coolly.

"Very well… Allow me to make the first move." His power was awesome. Huge fireballs erupted around Elephande, who rushed down to Altoda, lightning flashing around him. At the same time, Suliantig struck again, and this time his aim was true. Altoda recoiled from Suliantig's unexpected thrust while continuing to bombard Elephande with fireballs. Defoc, his dexterity a marvel, was on Altoda in a heartbeat, bearing down with ferocity never before displayed. Altoda moved back, assaulted on all sides.

Richard sent lightning down on his unprotected back, and rushed forward to strike. Altoda felt the full force of Richard's sword connecting with his spine. He wasn't going to get up this time.

In his mind, Altoda remembered the Istean herd, of which he had been an elder. The Istean was the original pride of the High Elder, before the Fallen One corrupted it. Instead of an elder, Altoda had become a general, waging an ethereal war against Suliantig and his brethren.

It had all changed now. He was now the master, and Zambiandë was his chosen one. But he had failed, defeated by his brother and the power of the Mark. Now, that power flowed into him, revealing the true Altoda. Zambiandë and Elephande were united against him, and the Ten stood strong.

Elephande watched as his former enemy shrank. He had finally beaten the Fallen One, and was now just a crippled Istean. Pity rose in the Ten. Here was one of their own, an Istean corrupted into an enemy. But Istean-Elder-Altoda was no longer an enemy. Elephande approached him.

"My brethren… I have been freed for just a moment. He senses the end. I am an Istean now that his powers are gone. His influence, however, remains."

"Elder Altoda. You paid a price for your corruption. But you have fought valiantly," Suliantig remarked. "Now, if your time is short, there can only be one who can finish the job."

"He knows who he is. By the High Elder, I am truly sorry. I shall await you in the next realm."

Istean-Elder-Altoda, the oldest of his kind, died there. But the influence of the Fallen Elder did not. The next words were harsh.

"Come on, you know who you are, Martyr for the Mark! Kill me, and die in agony!"

Richard struck again, but nothing happened.

"No… This is my battle," Elephade said, and he looked at Richard. "General, you know what I shall ask. Through the swords unleash, my legacy shall not be forgotten. And as for you, Altoda, I regret ever listening to your 'words of wisdom' in the first place. Zambiandë akiz Elder Higenti!"

Zambiandë charged at Altoda, and slammed hardly into him. The great chill after that told them that they had won. At what price had they won, however? Fifty thousand Elephatide lay dead on Balecroft, along with one hundred thousand of its citizens. Dreg causalities numbered in the millions.

As Elephade's strength left him, Richard chanted words he had never heard in his life. Picking up his long sword, he yelled, "Legaso delquen Zambiandë, powenti unproen mi shenta!"

Brilliant light flowed from Elephade's body towards Richard's sword. The ground shook violently, and Richard nearly fell from the sheer power entering his sword. A few minutes later, it was all over. Altoda was dead, and the price had been paid. Allysulia-Youinse-Elephade, as he was once known, lay dead next to him. He had been Altoda's bane.