A New Fate

The Dragon Empire had amazing spies.

The Intelligence Division was not very forthcoming, but the Dragonfang knew some of what they could do. For one thing, intelligence agents could send and receive messages with a spymaster via some method that involved a silent communication over surprisingly long distances. If the Dragonfang didn't know any better, he would have thought that such agents were mages.

Imagine his surprise then, when his spymaster reported that she was no longer receiving messages from those spies located in Garland's army. It did not bode well at all, but his force was committed now, only half a day away from being able to see the ruins, or at least the heart of the ruins. Half-buried rubble and low vine-wreathed walls had been appearing for the last day, a reminder that the ruins had once been a great city, now lost to the ravages of time. Nothing more substantial than a half-mile of low wall, had blocked the advance of the Imperial Army.

The Dragonfang shook his helmed head. Had his spies been discovered and interrogated, the enemy could know a great deal about the Imperial Army – though it did not matter now. Garland had to be confronted, and the army was already moving.

Though the ruins were not substantial enough to hide any kind of ambush, the Dragonfang sent out clannish skirmishers and scouts on wyvern-back to spot anything that might hinder their progress across the rolling grasslands.

It was nearly twilight when the first scout returned. The man had brought the most oddly disturbing news about the enemy force.

"They are all dead, Lord Dragonfang, everyone of them that I could see. There may be some remnant hiding in the temple, but Red Wind would not allow herself to be guided close enough to land. That place frightened her, my Lord, frightened a battle-hardened wyvern. I saw the corpses for certain, Lord Dragonfang. Knights, regular infantry, it didn't matter, their corpses were scattered all about the front and western side of the temple ruin."

The Dragonfang pressed his lips together grimly. What was the meaning of this? What he asked was: "In what manner were they killed, could you get close enough for that?"

That man's face drained of blood. "I saw close enough, my Lord. Some of them looked utterly crushed, even armored knights, like insects under a boot. Their armor did not save them at all. Others looked... withered, like they had all moisture sucked from them. Some were torn limb from limb, there were pieces everywhere..." the man finished shakily and his knees suddenly gave out, dropping him to the ground.

The Dragonfang rubbed his chin pensively before walking up to the man to put an armored hand on his shoulder. "Good work." He looked to the ranks of soldiers behind him. "I am calling a halt. Halt the march now and make camp." His order was passed back in shouts, and the army spread from rank-and-file, servants coming up from the supply trains to set up tents and prepare cook fires.

An hour later, he sat in his command chair in the royal pavilion, not noticing the maps or anything else upon the lapis-inlaid table. At least he knew the reason why his spymaster had stopped receiving reports. All the spies were dead, along with the entire enemy army it seemed.

"May I enter, Lord Dragonfang?" It was Lady Freya, his lieutenant, just outside the tent. Nearly as tall as he, she wore the dark dragon armor as well, her spear held at her side. Her countenance was stern, her large violet eyes showing no sign of fear at the scout's report, though such had spread quickly through the ranks.

Still deep in his troubled thoughts, the Dragonfang gave only a perfunctory wave for her to enter. She did so, the look on her face never changing. "Whatever force is responsible for the destruction of the Highland Army could not be found, Lord Dragonfang. Other scouts have returned to confirm it."

"I know," the Dragonfang said flatly.

The woman's eyes twitched in surprise. "How, my Lord?"

"It was Garland, I am certain of it," he answered.

"But that makes no sense at all, my Lord."

"No it does not, Lady Freya, not at all."

The woman came forward several more steps. "Then how can you know such a thing, my Lord?"

The Dragonfang didn't answer, and Freya removed her dragon helm. They were alone in the pavilion and she took another step forward, lowering her voice. "How can you know such a thing, Bain?"

With a heavy sigh, the man stood, removing his own helm and setting it down on the table before him. His dark eyes were troubled on his rugged face, his skin sun-dark, contrasted by his bright blond hair, matted as the woman's was. "It was after the first scout made his report, Freya, that I felt it. A darkness... a wrongness... you could say. It was everywhere pressing down on me from all sides. I felt terror like I never have, and it was crushing me." He looked up, seeing her frown. "Then, a second later, it was gone, but I knew from whence it had originated. From the Temple of Fiends... from Garland."

"My Lord, he is but one man," Freya announced incredulously.

Bain Dragonfang shook his head emphatically. "No, this Garland is no man. Even if he once was, he is no longer. Now he is something else, and this army cannot defeat him."

Freya forced the incredulity from her features. "What would you have us do, my Lord?"

He rubbed a hand over his face wearily. "Spread word among the army to mobilize. We are leaving this cursed place as soon as we can."

"My Lord, we just set camp, shouldn't we at least wait until morning? I can send out wyvern patrols, perhaps we can even get word of what is inside the temple."

"No, Freya, we leave now, back to the Point and back up the pass."

She frowned. "Such a decision will not be popular, especially among the Red Axe, my Lord. They have already sworn their vengeance upon Highland."

Bain nodded sharply. The Red Axe warriors were prickly and over-proud, but they had sworn their allegiance to him specifically, after he had defeated their High Chief in single combat. "Hopefully they will listen to you, but if they do not, then I cannot stop them if they decide charge the ruins in a frenzy. However, the rest of us leave as soon as we can, Freya. Spread the word."

She nodded curtly, and turned to leave the pavilion, but was halted by a frantic messenger that burst into the tent without leave. Freya glared at him, but the man ignored her, his face stark terror. Freya gave Bain a questioning look, but he lifted a hand for her to keep from removing the man bodily. "Urgent message, my Lord," he was panting, face flushed. "A man is coming from the east, an enormous black knight in demon's armor. The scouts say his eyes burn!"

Immediately Bain's mind raced, and he fit his helm back on, turning to Freya. "Get the army mobilized as fast as possible. Tell everyone to leave what isn't absolutely necessary." The woman hesitated. "Now!" he snapped, taking his spear from beside his chair. "I will try to slow him down. Go now, both of you!"

The messenger scurried out, but Freya remained, a determined look in her eyes. "I will go with you, Lord Dragonfang."

"Blast it, Freya, you must obey me and lead the army in retreat. I will slow down that monster with everything I have. Now move!"

Freya did not move. "I will have the dragoons accompany you... for an honor guard."

Bain shook his head, jaw tight. "That is Highland's way, Freya, not ours. I guard my own honor, or do you think me incapable?"

Freya said nothing, face going taut, before she turned stiffly and left the tent.

The Dragonfang sighed irritably before leaving the tent himself. It was still twilight outside, the western horizon a long band of blood-colored sky. The demon would be coming from the east, coming with the darkness.

Bain went off at a run, then launched himself into a broad arching leap toward the outskirts of the camp. With shadows growing longer every second, he came down to land in a crouch, quickly spotting the black-armored monster moving casually toward the camp and his people. He could see the blazing red gaze of the thing from here. A squad of archers looked ready to loose a volley at the approaching demon, which would soon be within range of their bows, but Bain waved them back.

"Fall back to the heart of the camp and make ready to retreat!" Bain ordered and the men bowed quickly and complied.

The Dragonfang made certain they were out of sight before he turned to watch the monster's advance. The dark armored creature moved forward almost casually, a huge black sword resting over one shoulder, red eyes blazing.

The half-moon glowed silver in the sky when Bain tightened the grip on his lance-tipped spear. He then ran and leapt high, before coming down at a severe angle, winds shrieking about him as he shot down toward the black-armored monster, the long sharp tip of his spear gleaming wickedly in the moonlight.

Garland saw him coming and brought his monstrous sword up to block the blow, and metal rang on metal, bright sparks of crimson power showering them both from Garland's sorcerous steel.

Incredulous, Bain leapt back to land some distance from the monstrous knight. His dragon spear had shattered swords and shields alike, had pierced armor like paper, yet Bain saw not even a nick upon Garland's weapon. "What are you, Garland?"

The dark knight laughed harshly. "I do not explain myself to insects." He went into a battle stance, and his eyes began to glow even more balefully through his visor. "Prepare for the Abyss, mortal." With that he swung his monstrous weapon down in a powerful slash that split the earth with a horrid boom.

Spires of earth jutted up from the ground in a line toward Bain, but he dodged through a plume of dust to the side, coming around the knight's flank, his spear striking out like a serpent's tongue in rapid succession. For his size, Garland moved his blade with amazing speed, blocking each thrust with a clang of metal and showers of red sparks that lit the night, before bringing his blade up and around to hammer down at the earth again. Bain had no choice but to leap back, but jumped again, diving through the air at an oblique angle behind Garland with fantastic speed, his spear thrust down to pierce the knight's armor between the neck and shoulder.

As if he could see behind him, Garland pivoted and swung his demon blade about with impeccable timing, catching Bain just before he landed. The blow was powerful enough to hurl the dragoon fifty feet away, where he struck the ground and rolled to a stop. Heavily dazed, the Dragonfang groaned, but managed to rise to one knee. He tasted blood in his mouth, and his helm was cracked, one of the wings broken off from the side.

Breathing raggedly, the dragoon's eyes widened as he looked down to see his spear mangled at his feet. He growled deep in his throat, managing to shake away lingering dizziness and took up his mangled weapon. Garland was coming for him, but slowly, as if he had all the time in the world.

It occurred to Bain then that Garland was toying with him, but he quickly suppressed the anger that such a realization brought, instead focusing on his weapon. He held it up before him in both hands and invoked the name of his deity. "By Bahamut's Breath, let my fang be whole once more!" he shouted and his mangled weapon glowed bright blue as winds surrounded him. When they dissipated, the dragoon's spear was whole, and he launched himself forward in a shrieking thrust.

Again, Garland parried, but was the force of the thrust knocked him several steps back before he countered with a blow too powerful to be blocked. Bain had to dodge, as the ground split in another earth-rending boom, vaulting over the monster's head in a flip that brought him to Garland's flank. However, before he got the chance to strike, Garland whirled his whole body, bringing his sword around in a blow so strong that the blast of power it generated slid the dragoon back through the grass twenty feet. Bain had shied back just enough to avoid contact with that strike, but even the blast from it had been enough to stagger him. He fell to one knee, his head ringing, but heard another boom and rolled to the side as jutting spires of earth raced passed him, throwing up huge clods of earth.

Debris showered him, but Bain steadied his feet again as Garland stood. "I am getting bored with you, insect, and have so many of your people to slaughter before I return to my throne. I believe I will end this now." He lifted his demonic sword above his head and roared. Glowing red power lit up the night in a bright flash and streaks of bloody power shot up from the sword to arc through the air, before converging to lance down at where the Dragonfang stood.

Bain moved as explosions buffeted him, throwing earth everywhere. His helm cracked in two and fell from his head, before a bright flash filled his eyes and he was knocked back into a roll. Somehow, bleeding from his ears and face, he managed his feet to run again, but more red arcs filled the sky before seeking him out, and Bain knew he had only one chance. As Garland stood still, summoning his dark magic, Bain ran toward him, just barely out-pacing explosion after explosion. His armor rent, his vision blurred, he put all he had left into a single thrust of his spear, roaring like Lord Bahamut himself, as he shot forward –

And pierced the monstrous knight straight through the chest.

Bain felt the impact of the blow shuddering up his arms. His spear pierced metal, flesh, and bone, its tip blowing out Garland's back to shower the earth behind with his blood. Now Garland staggered and fell to one knee, dropping his mighty sword to thud in the grass. Surprise blazed in his bloody eyes.

Bain let go of the spear, utterly exhausted, and staggered back himself, gulping in air. He rested on hands and knees, but did not lower his eyes from Garland. "You shouldn't... have underestimated me... monster."

To his surprise, Garland laughed, though it ended in harsh coughing. "I am not finished yet, mortal." Suddenly, he gripped the haft of the spear sticking through him and began to pull it out. He roared in pain as he did so, but managed to pull the whole of the weapon free, covered in his blood, and tossed it to the ground contemptuously. "It will take more power than you possess to kill me." Then he managed to stand, much to Bain's amazement, a gaping bloody hole through his torso.

"Impossible!" The Dragonfang spat.

"Not so, mortal, and now you will become but another sacrifice to my power." He raised a clench fist and suddenly Bain doubled over as agony gripped his middle. It felt as if his guts were being pulled inside out, and he writhed upon the ground, growling and gnashing his teeth.

Ever so slowly, the hole in Garland's center began to fill, the organs growing back, knitting themselves together as he drained the life from the writhing dragoon before him. "You are fortunate to have such an honor, mortal. Only those that wound me can die in such exultation."

Twisted in agony, Bain cried out, his strength ebbing slowly but surely until he was no longer able to writhe, despite an increase in pain. As if he were being wrung in two giant hands, Bain's flesh split, his bones snapped, and his organs were crushed to jelly...

And then he died.

Garland stood, taking up his monstrous sword. He gazed down upon the twisted corpse before him, drained of life, crushed utterly, and suddenly felt a pang of regret. He crushed it ruthlessly, however, and a smile creased his bloodstained lips as he turned toward the imperial camp.

What time the Dragonfang had bought with his life had not been enough. The remaining Imperial Lancers all gave their lives to see the rest of the army escape, and Garland did not pursue them once he was far enough from the temple for it to call out to him. He returned and sat upon his throne once more, daring fate to do its worst. He had no intention of giving in to destiny, none at all. He would live forever more, growing stronger with time until he was what he had once been.

Then, all life would end by his hand.

IIIIIIIIII

It was dawn on the third day of travel when the black ship landed before the temple. Princess Sarah still could not believe how fast the vessel was. What should have taken at least eight days upon the fastest airship, and about a month on foot, had taken so short a time.

Such a thought flew right from her head when she disembarked with Marilith and Tiamat, to see the ruined corpses of what had undoubtedly been her army. Crows, ravens, and vultures filled the skies, gorging themselves on such a feast, and here and there, wailing corpses walked, shunned by the carrion eaters.

Sarah immediately collapsed to her knees, tears streaking from her eyes.

Marilith shook her helmed head. "I cannot believe this, but it may work in our favor all the more."

Tiamat put her hands on her hips. "It may, or it may drive the King completely mad with fear. Highland has no force to stop an invasion from the Empire now."

Marilith looked down at the princess with an unpleasant smile. "I suppose you can just toss the scepter away now, Princess. There is no use for it here."

Sarah did not seem to hear her. Marilith frowned at her, then looked to Tiamat. "Have your men bring her with us. I want to have this done and be back in the capital as soon as possible."

Tiamat gave her an amused grin. "Do you think this will be easy with Garland this strong now? Do you think he will still be biddable?"

Marilith gave her a scathing glare but did not bother to answer before striding forward into the charnel grounds. Tiamat chuckled darkly before calling two large sailors among her thralls down to haul the princess with them as she moved to follow Marilith.

The Fiend of Wind summoned blasts of air to batter away clusters of carrion eaters from their path, while The Fiend of Fire unsheathed her falchions, wreathed in flame, to cut apart any zombies that came across them. The princess was carried in their wake, unable to see anything, listless now, with tears still leaking from her eyes.

In little time they went into the entrance of the temple, and within the immaculate throne room, Garland stood to greet them. Tiamat's two slaves turned to stone almost immediately, though Garland raised a hand and the Break did not effect Sarah, where she sagged to a heap upon the crystalline floor, still seeing nothing.

Tiamat glared up at Garland, her long blond hair billowing around her. "What is the meaning of this, Garland?"

Marilith merely stood with contempt, crossing her arms. "What are you up to?"

Garland left his monstrous black sword lying next to his throne and descended the dais slowly. "Is that how you greet an old friend, Fiends of Wind and Fire? I thought you would be overjoyed to see me."

A cold look crossed Tiamat's face as she raised her chin. "I no longer sense the strength of the dark power within you, Garland. Explain this."

The black knight laughed contemptuously. "That is because it had gone beyond your ability to sense, Tiamat." He stopped at the foot of the dais and raised a hand. "But, please, no more foolish questions or demands, and I will explain to you what is to happen now."

Marilith clenched the hilts of her blades. "How dare you talk to us thus, fool! Shall I teach you a lesson?"

Garland only laughed again. "Teach away, Marilith, transform and unleash your hatred!"

To her astonishment, Marilith could not switch out of her human form, and an inkling of fear suddenly crept into the back of her mind. "You cannot possibly be this powerful."

The black knight only looked at her, eyes blazing through his helm. "I have remembered many things from before, things I had forgotten. I know now that I sent you into the future so that you could complete my spell and send me into the past now, when I lack the full power to do so myself. Of course, I have no need to go into the past anymore, not with my strength growing. Oh no, I will stay here and destroy the present world. The time is ripening. I managed to corrupt the Crystals long ago, but it has taken five millennia for them to come to this point, where their resistance is nearly finished."

He paused for a moment, gesturing grandly at the beauty of the throne room all about. "The barrier of time is weaker here and I have linked to my past incarnation. I know you four schemed to be my master in this time, with me so much weaker now, but alas, that is not to be. Besides, you cannot change what has already happened. I know that now, as will you. We must forge ahead if there is to be any change. Here in the present, we can make a new fate."

Tiamat looked to Marilith where the Lady General quivered with outrage, then stood very straight and gave Garland a shrewd look. "What will you do with us four, Garland?"

Beneath his helm, the black knight smiled wickedly. "No more power games among the humans for you, I'm afraid. You four will guard the withering Crystals, while I sit here and grow stronger."

Marilith's tone was scathing. "Guard the Crystals? Guard them from whom?"

Garland made a sound of disgust and looked to Tiamat. "You know, don't you Lady Tiam."

Marilith glared at her, and Tiamat hesitated. "...Some, though I must confess that the Lich is the only true scholar amongst us."

"What are you babbling about, Tiamat?" Marilith growled.

"The..." Tiamat licked her lips, "the Light Warriors..."

Marilith barked dismissively. "Impossible, those mortals are dead thousands of years by now."

Garland growled, hatred dripping from his words. "You know nothing, Marilith! You never have, always too arrogant, too confident in your own prowess!"

The Fiend of Fire's fists clenched until they shook. "Explain this to me!"

Garland looked to Tiamat. "Tell her what you know."

The Fiend of Wind knew there was no point in further defiance and nodded. "Very well. I have sent minions to deal with the Chosen of Wind. He has risen, and has in his possession an orb. What this artifact is, I am not certain, but..." She paused for a deep breath. "There is reason for me to fear its power."

Garland nodded. "As well you should, Tiamat, as well you should. The orbs are the last attempt at defiance from the Crystals. Long ago, they set events in motion that I was ignorant of even then. I am ignorant no longer. I will destroy the Light Warriors here, in this temple, where I grow stronger each passing day."

Marilith did not understand, but straightened and gazed fiercely at Garland. "What if you fail?"

She had wished for an outburst of rage, but Garland simply shrugged. "Then you four will be compelled to send me back, completing my spell, after which it will be up to you to stop the Light Warriors at the Crystals themselves."

Tiamat gave a slight shake of her head. "But sending you back will serve no purpose if the past cannot be changed."

Garland did not answer. "We are done speaking. I will teleport the four of you to the Crystals where you will guard them with your lives."

They both looked to argue further, but Garland made a gesture, summoning his power, and they both disappeared in clouds of billowing shadow. The Lich and Kraken would have as well, wherever they were, a powerful and compelling spell that exhausted Garland after it was cast. Still, with the Fiends gone from the throne room, he walked up to tower over Princess Sarah where she huddled upon the floor, arms crossed before her chest.

She looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. "Garland, how could you do this?"

Her pained accusation unlocked something within him and he sighed heavily. "I had no choice, Sarah. Now come, it is time for you to rest."