Ser Xaxeras, Castle Vatefang
"Yes, she is beautiful," Ser Xaxeras whispered to himself as he watched the naked Dalaris Dragonheart walk from the bed to the large window overlooking the endless sea of pine trees with snow-capped mountains in the distance. As Ser Xaxeras watched her, he concluded that she was a graceful creature of white-hot flames and pliancy. Her personality changed ever so drastically, becoming one thing after another as though she was a master of disguise. She could be ferocious and tender, which she seemed to be as moved effortlessly as they were making love.
Though he was more than pleased last night, a cloud of caution fogged his mind, blocking the loving feelings he harbored for the girl deep inside. The storm of confusion, conjured by the words of Lord Jon, who instructed Ser Xaxeras to be wary of her. Not just for the fact she was related to the faction that started this war and delayed the coming of their beloved High King, but because she was a skilled killer before she was taken prisoner by the Alliance.
No, Ser Xaxeras assured himself. Her feelings for me are just. If they weren't she would have killed me in my sleep. I felt it. I felt the love inside of her. Her feelings are just.
Dalaris stood by the window and rubbed her chin, thinking about how late it was. By the light of the day, she guessed it was probably past noon. She flushed, thinking of how late she and her Knight had been up. The sky was the most beautiful shade of azure blue, and the sun cast just the right amount of light on the trees making them look like emeralds.
She looked back at her unusual lover smiling. When it formed on her beautiful lips, it melted Ser Xaxeras's heart. The twinkle in her eyes and her rose-blonde hair, when met with the light of the sun, looked like the romantic fire that illuminated their room last night. It still burned in the hearth, cracking and snapping as the logs withered to embers and ash.
"Did I hurt you?" Ser Xaxeras asked.
Dalaris cooed happily. "I must admit, my back aches. You weigh a ton."
"Oh," Ser Xaxeras said sadly.
"But in the sheets, you move more like a house pup than a wolf. There's a soft spot deep down all that muscle and fur, Ser Xaxeras."
Ser Xaxeras let out an amused sniff upon hearing her compliment. "But, uh…I'm not at all what you hoped your knight in shining armor would be. Am I?"
Dalaris hid a laugh behind her hand. "What do you mean?"
"Well…most girls your age often wish for someone better than me. They dream of being married to a wealthy prince or a dashing knight."
Dalaris rolled her eyes. "All young girls dream of having a handsome knight in jeweled armor coming to sweep them off their feet, Ser Xaxeras. They get anything but once they begin to figure out what true love is all about. You know; this thing you and I have. It reminds me of something."
"Go on?" Ser Xaxeras said, putting his hands behind his head.
"When I was a girl, I read a story about a beautiful maiden and hideous a beast. Not like you, though. You may have the head of a lion, but it is handsome and charming." She puckered her lips. "No, this beast was animalistic and hideous. But the maiden saw past all that and fell in love regardless of his looks."
"Princess Astrid liked that story, too," said Ser Xaxeras.
"Did she now?"
"She read it often. When she was younger, she forced me to read it to her every night before bed. Oh, Dalaris, she was in love with that story. It was a wondrous tale, but a sad one. The monster poisons himself in the end. However, after the maiden professes her love for him, the beast gets transformed into a handsome prince. Does he not?"
Dalaris giggled. "Yes. He did. However, that princely form was not who she fell in love with. Was it?"
Ser Xaxeras clicked his tongue and looked at the ceiling. She had a point.
"Life is no fairy tale, Ser Xaxeras," Dalaris said walking back to him. She stood near the side of the bed, leaning forward and crossing her arms over his chest before resting her head on them. "I've seen princesses marry handsome princes and have fairy tale weddings. Their marriages always end in either the husband getting poisoned or the wife tossing herself out of the tower window."
"That's awfully grim," said Ser Xaxeras.
"But, that's what I love about the story," said Dalaris. "It teaches that one can find true love in the most unlikely of places. Yes, you are not some paladin in armor of silver, but you are my knight in shining armor. I love you just the way you are. Whiskers and all."
She flicked the top-most whisker on the right side of his snout. It sprang up and down making her giggle.
Ser Xaxeras grinned. "You mean it?"
Dalaris nodded her head. "You've been so good to me, even though we're technically enemies. And because of your kindness, I have befriended Jon's sisters. Even Jon himself was growing accustomed to me." She shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Well, not as much as I would have hoped, but enough for him to trust me enough to let me roam the castle halls as I please."
"Then I am happy to have you, Lady Dalaris. Daughter of Antilles."
"I smell treason," teased Dalaris.
"Do not jest like that," Ser Xaxeras said pointing at her. "Just hearing the word makes me uncomfortable."
"Of course," said Dalaris. "Let's leave petty politics out of our fun."
"Indeed," said Ser Xaxeras said, petting the back of Dalaris's head. "This is all I ever wanted. No Kings. No Lords. No war. Nothing on the outside of these walls. Just you and me."
Dalaris suddenly shivered. "Ser Xaxeras, may I take the blanket? It's cold."
"Then put some clothes on. You silly girl."
"I'm too lazy to get dressed," Dalaris whined. "Besides, the fire is mostly pointing towards you. And you have all that fur."
"But I am naked," said Ser Xaxeras.
"So am I," Dalaris assured him while biting her bottom lip. "And that didn't seem to be a problem last night was it?"
"So be it," Ser Xaxeras said.
He tossed the blankets off himself and threw them over her shoulders. "Nice and toasty," she said.
"May I be so bold as to ask you for a kiss, My Lady?"
"We have much work to do on that prospect," sniggered Dalaris. "You don't exactly have lips."
Ser Xaxeras let out a thunderous laugh. It boomed across the large room. "Once again, you have a point."
Just then, a sound that Dalaris had dreaded entered her ears and surged through her body, filling her with dread. The sound of iron squeaking, and kingswood moaning from the movement as well. The door burst open.
"Ser Xaxeras," Princess Astrid said coming into the room fully armored. "I come with…GYAHH!" She screamed, displeased and shocked at the sight of a Werevegun naked.
"Uh, Princess," Ser Xaxeras said, trying to remain calm. "What's up?"
"You really want me to answer that!" Astrid cried, shielding her eyes with her hands. Just then, her sister Dagmar had arrived, also geared up and ready.
"We are set to begin the expedition to…OH, GODDESSES!" She dropped her bow and quivered on the floor. Her hands — now free of their burden — clasped over her gaping mouth. "I. Am. So. Sorry!"
"Girls!" Dalaris pleaded with them. "This isn't what it looks like. We just uh…we were…"
"No! No!" said Dagmar. "We are…perfectly aware of the situation right now."
"It's fine!" said Astrid. "Uh…who isn't a little curious every now and then? Nothing wrong with it."
"You aren't mad?" Dalaris asked.
"No," said Astrid. "But I am scarred for life."
The twins, Sassa and Saga came skipping into the room to see what the commotion was. Like their siblings, they were warmly dressed in furs over their armor of leather and steel. Bandolier belts loaded with pouches were strapped over their shoulders.
"WOW!" Sassa cried out in shock.
"Oh my…." Saga said, wanting to heave. "So…. you two…"
Dalaris nodded and formed a weak smile as she flashed her snowy-white teeth.
"How did that thing fit?" shouted Sassa. "It's bigger than Jon's arm!"
"Sassa!" shouted Astrid. "Shut up! Clearly, there is something strong between them."
"Yeah, and it's huge!" said Dagmar. Astrid slapped her across the head. "OW!"
"We'll just back away now and let you two have your fun. Our quest can resume when you're ready. We'll be in the mess hall."
"Throwing up," said Sassa.
Genesis the beastmaster was next to walk in on the sight. "Wow!" she said, brushing her silvery-blonde hair over her shoulder with her fingertips.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" groaned Ser Xaxeras.
"Everyone…please," said Astrid. "Let's back away now. And uh…Lady Dalaris. If you wish to prove yourself to our Alliance. Perhaps you could join us on our quest to revisit the Soul of Silvermountain. He's become a dear friend of ours. He said to wake him when we needed him. Well, now we need him."
"I'd be honored," Dalaris said awkwardly. "Count me in."
"Please do hurry," said Astrid. "There is a matter of the utmost importance we must talk about."
"We'll be down as soon as possible," said Dalaris.
Astrid bowed, got one last look out of curiosity, and slammed the doors shut behind her.
Dalaris turned to look at Ser Xaxeras. Her teeth clamped together as if supporting the muscles of her face to keep from contorting into sorrow. Never before had Ser Xaxeras seen her face so red. Tears of embarrassment even glimmered in her eyes.
"You didn't lock the door?" Ser Xaxeras grumbled.
"Oops," Dalaris replied softly.
Ser Xaxeras slapped his hand over his eyes and slid it down his face. "Come on. Let's get dressed. It sounds like they really need us down there."
While Dalaris bathed, Ser Xaxeras strapped on his chainmail and armor after polishing it until the surface reflected like a mirror. He buckled his baldric over his massive torso and clipped his cloth-of-gold cape onto the chestplate. Finally, Dalaris walked out of the bathroom in a red-wine gown.
Both of them were not in the mood to talk, feeling rather embarrassed by the events that took place earlier. They walked side-by-side down the halls of the castle until arriving at the war room. The princesses were gathered around a table looking at a wooden map of Riftgaard. Totems indicating positions, patrols, hunting parties, and possible enemy camps stood firmly in their places. Blue flags on top represented friendly forces while red was for their enemies. The war room showed off panoramic views of the mountains and the pine forests through large glass windows.
Astrid rolled her eyes off the map to witness the entrance of the castle's most peculiar couple. A teasing grin formed on her pink lips. "Well, well, well. If it isn't beauty and the beast."
"Very funny," said Dalaris. "So, what's so important that you'd allow your prisoner of war into an Alliance war room?"
"We received word that Covenant troops are beginning to march deeper into Riftgaard. We've lost two of our forts last night. We're being surrounded. I'm afraid it's over for us. Once they progress through the pass, our city will be attacked."
"But we can't give up!" Ser Xaxeras yelled.
"What more can we do?" Summer asked walking into the war room, massaging her belly. "Is there truly nothing our forces can muster to stop that army?"
"Lady Summer?" said Astrid. "What are you doing here?"
"Jon wouldn't let me go, remember? He and the troops left before dawn. We must send someone to tell him. If the Covenant reaches him and joins the Mountain Men, he will die. We must go to him at once!"
"We can't just abandon our quest for the Soul of Silvermountain," said Astrid. "And I need every soldier I can muster because the wastes beyond the mountains are dangerous. That monster is our only hope!"
"Just how many soldiers do you need?" asked Summer, her voice growing shaking and urgent by the second.
"Three hundred strong at least," Astrid answered.
"Which leaves us in another predicament," Genesis said, pointing at their city on the map of Riftgaard. "If we leave with such a garrison, Steoi will be left unprotected and at the mercy of the Covenant if they strike."
"Aren't there any reinforcements?" Summer demanded. She stormed to the map. "What about these positions here? And here? And here? There's got to be at least five hundred men in these points."
Astrid held her hand to calm her. "Yes, My Lady, there are. But if we pull those men out of these positions, it will leave many villages and trading hubs unprotected. They'll be attacked by the Mountain Men. There are also tribes of goblins having some sort of civil war in the Srojan Ford."
"To say nothing of the ever-growing reports of trolls in the forests," said Sassa. "I've never seen such an epidemic of monsters before in my life."
Astrid sighed and rested the side of her index finger on her lip. "The days are getting darker," she replied coldly. "Master Yu-Gi-Oh was right. Termnnia's going to be left weakened after this war no matter who the victor is. Once our armies are frail and exhausted…" she slid her finger down the larger map of Termnnia, then across the ocean and towards the undocumented Black Continent. "The Orcs will commence their campaign at last. Neither the Alliance, the Empire, or the Covenant will have the strength to repel them."
"Yuri will come back!" Ser Xaxeras assured them. "He will! And then the God Cards will take care of those Orcs!"
"But someone has to warn Jon!" said Summer. "For the love of Ana, I'll go myself!"
An eruption of protest and denial burst across the war room.
"Not on your life!" shouted Ser Xaxeras. "You'll catch your death of cold if you go out there alone! Damn it, Summer, think of the baby!"
"What can we do?" she sobbed. "I'm so scared, guys!"
Astrid embraced her future sister-in-law. "Look, I know there's a lot going on, Summer. But if we panic, we're only going to hammer the final nail in our coffin. I need you to be calm, okay. Not just for yourself but for your child. Woman, that's my nephew or niece you've got in there. A future King or Queen of this great country. We don't want this mighty warrior's mother to be a whiny milk-drinker do we?"
"No, no, of course not," Summer said recollecting herself. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right, My Lady," said Ser Xaxeras. "I'm scared, too, if you can believe that."
"What are we going to do?" Summer asked. "It just seems all hopeless?"
They heard the loud bellow of the castle horns thundering across the countryside. The walls shook as if a giant was pounding against the foundation of the mountain.
"What is that?" Astrid asked.
Wasting no time, she darted out of the war room. The others followed her, chasing her out into the courtyard. Everyone in the town stood outside their homes wondering what was causing the horrid quaking.
"Open the gates!" Astrid commanded.
Slowly, the large iron gates creaked open, letting Astrid out into the empty plains.
"Goddesses!" cried Dagmar, who was sitting atop a watchtower. "What is that?"
Two mammoths with black fur and wide tusks stomped towards the plains outside the gate. The hair on the top of their heads was styled into a Mohawk, and their eyes were black as their hair. They were as tall as a small mountain, standing fifty meters tall, no doubt weighing more than White Mountain where Castle Vaettfang was built. The mammoths were pulling a towering, square-shaped castle on wheels. At the feet of the two beasts, thousands of horsemen speaking Sapanish marched in beautiful formations. Some were riding Megazowlers, Sabersaurus, and Uraby as mounts. The dinosaurs seemed unfazed by the coldness of the country. A warm mist erupted from their snouts while they lined up in a perfect formation.
A short-haired girl, warmly dressed in furs over her armored gown, rode towards the group on top of a Black Stego armored in red enameled plate with gold trim.
"Is one of you by chance, Prince Jon Jahangir?" she asked. "Speak quickly!"
"No, he is not here," Astrid replied sharply. "I am Astrid. This is Sassa and Saga. This is Genesis, and my sister Dagmar on the tower up there. We are his sisters. The Princesses."
"Ah, the legendary Jewels of Riftgaard," said the girl. "I am Nelly of the House Delgado. Princess of Feldia. My sister, Queen Maria Delgado wishes to speak with your brother. But, you say he is not here. Perhaps there is a way we can treat with you instead. Woman to woman, no?"
"I am just a princess," said Astrid. "My father, the King, is inside if you wish to speak with him."
"No," said Nelly. "My sister's business is with the Prince. Your father is an honorable man, Princess Astrid. But he is old. Besides, thanks to his entry into Yugi's Alliance, the one in charge of military operations around here is your brother."
"This is true," said Dagmar. "Father mostly oversees the villages and laws. But if you want to speak of war, you see us."
"Very good," said Nelly. "After all, it's us kids who have to fix the mess our fathers made of the continent."
"Very true," said Summer.
"Oh, que bonita," Nelly said admiring Summer's beauty. "And who are you querida?"
"My name's Summer. Prince Jon is my future husband."
"Pity," said Nelly.
"What in the Ten Hells are those!" cried Sassa, pointing to mechanical beasts sprinting out of the mists.
Summer, being a Duelist from the East knew what they were. "Hey! Those are the Dinomist monsters. You're allied with House Santcliment?"
"They joined us during the coup against my father," Nelly explained. "They come in very handy in a tight spot, these lads."
A Dimomist Rex, Ceratops, and Stegosaur led the formation of the mechanical dinosaurs. They stopped before the group snarling and shooting steam from their mouths and various vents from their hydraulics systems.
Elevators opened from their bodies. The knights that piloted them slid down from rappels. Their feet hit the ground dramatically, kicking dust and snow into the air. The pilot of the Dinomist Ceratops stood out from the others for he was an Eldori with pale skin, spiked blond hair, and blue eyes, wearing a tight jumpsuit of black and dark blue, as did his fellow pilots. The suits were tight and formed well with their ironed muscles and god-like physiques.
While the Eldori was just an Oathblade, the other two pilots were brothers of the House Santcliment. The blond Eldori clicked when he saw Jon's sisters standing before him at the gates.
"Well, I did not expect to find such beauty all the way out here," he said. "You lovely ladies by any chance the fabled Jewels of Riftgaard?"
"W-we are," stuttered Genesis. Her face flushing bright pink. She nudged her sister lightly with her elbow. "Right, Astrid?"
"Will you relax?" she mumbled. "It's only a boy!"
"The pleasantries will have to wait," said Duke Fabia de Sanctliment. His brother, Sandro; who piloted the Dinomist Stegosaur, was most upset that the pleasantries and introductions had to be postponed. He, too, wanted to meet the Jewels. But there was none among them who captivated him more than Ser Xaxeras; a knight he admired since he was a small boy.
"The Duke is right," said Nelly. "Come, my friends. The Queen of Feldia awaits."
The ground still shook. Something else of large size was approaching them.
"More mammoths?" Dagmar asked.
Nelly smiled. "No, these castles are for the peasants. My Sister-Queen has her own method of transportation."
The monster that caused the earth to shake made a loud bellow as it stomped over the hundred-foot-tall pine trees that surrounded the city. A sauropod, a genus of dinosaur with long necks, roamed out of the morning mist. It towered over all, even the city, standing at over fifty meters tall. Its long horizontally-aligned body was colored dark brown with a khaki-colored underbelly. Thick plates of heavy steel protected its legs and sensitive parts such as the thick chest to shield the heart. The flags of Feldia and House Delgado hung from over-sized banners on its long stiff, rigged neck and on the even longer whip-like tail. Two more banners hung on either side of its body. The limbs were wide, and very trunk-like, hammering down on the earth causing the city to shake.
The most notable feature stood proudly on its back. A majestic palace, resembling a large city was perfectly in place. Banners waved from the tower tops and the thousands of windows along the buildings glimmered from the warm light within.
"Now I've seen everything," said Ser Xaxeras.
"Incredible!" Dalaris commented while keeping her hands clasped over her gaping mouth.
Elevators of glass and gold slowly descended to the ground. At once, Astrid and the others boarded it and took a long trip up the city mounted on the dinosaur's back.
It had been hours since Summer and the others were brought into the city mounted on the back of the colossal dinosaur dubbed The Behemoth. The city itself was known as Las Nuves de la Señora Santa de las Estrellas, dubbed after Entúli, Goddess of Light who aided the lost and defeated Normans, whom she pitied, into Feldia. There was no word from their host. Not even a messenger to tell them when Queen Maria Delgado was coming down to visit them or summon them to her chambers. A blizzard blew fiercely outside the stained glass windows of the tower where Summer, Astrid, Ser Xaxeras, Dalaris, Sassa, Saga, Genesis, and Dagmar just sat about doing nothing but moaning, groaning, and whining.
They had no worry for food because every thirty minutes or so, a servant came in with a fresh batch of sandwiches and a Feldian dish known as Ceviché. Around four o'clock maids arrived with dinner gowns for the girls to wear, while a smith came by to polish and make some 'additions' to Ser Xaxeras' armor. While his gear was being cleaned and decorated he made due with a large bedsheet to wrap around his waist. He had no worry of being seen by the Summer and the rest of the girls; for they were escorted by the Queen's Chamberlain down the long, decorated halls to a bathhouse so they could wash for the supper Maria asked them to attend.
"Supper with the Queen of Feldia," Dalaris chimed happily. "How exciting."
"Sounds awfully pretentious if you ask me," said Genesis. "Why can't we just meet with her and get this over with?"
"Her Majesty has her reasons," said the stuck-up chamberlain leading them to the bathhouse. He stopped before the door. He put his hands on the golden handles and pulled the doors open. A veil of white mist rushed out the door, enveloping him.
Inside, maids poured kettles of hot water into the pool and added orange slices, sweet-scented oils, and rose petals to their bath. A crystal chandelier hung above the pool with a mural depicting the story of Norman the Conqueror taking Rassay from the invaders. The walls were of glass with gold grids, offering panoramic views of the land around them and the volcano GUÐRÚN, smoking in the distance.
The chamberlain walked around the ladies twice. He put a finger on top of Dalaris' head and slid it down the length of her cranium. He examined his finger. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," he said. He then slid the same finger down Summer's left shoulder, exposed by the bodice she wore. "I had heard the Berja were filthy. But nothing in me prepared me for this. No, no, no. Her Majesty was right in sending you to get cleaned." He clapped his hands. "Take off your clothes, all of you. Chop! Chop!"
But before they could begin to get treated to their bath, two guards awaited them behind a wooden table.
"What's the meaning of this?" Dagmar asked.
"Forgive the inconvenience, My Ladies," said the Chamberlain. "But I cannot allow you to see Her Majesty so armed. I ask that you place your weapons on the table to be confiscated for as long as it pleases Her Majesty."
Dagmar growled like a beast. "You've got to be joking."
"If you wish to see Her Majesty, you must comply with our rules, Princess."
"We don't want to see her," snapped Sassa. "She summoned us, remember. We could have sent you on your way and never bothered with her."
"You are familiar with the armies at your doorstep, yes?" the chamberlain asked, his old, wrinkly face locked in a snobbish countenance. They remained quiet. "Her Majesty only wishes to join your Alliance," he said. "She will offer terms to help you in this matter."
As they were drying up from their bath, a barber styled and curled their hair then decorated them with flowers of silk and ribbons. Once they put on their gowns, they were taken back to the tower where Ser Xaxeras awaited them in his newly forged armor.
"Amazing!" Summer said, admiring the newly forged plate of white enameled steel outlined with engraved gold trim, a glistening cloth-of-gold cape, and a winged helmet large enough for Ser Gerhelos' head. "How was this accomplished in so little time?"
"Magic and the best blacksmiths in Termnnia have a hand in that," Nelly said coming into the tower. "Now if you'll please wait here, Queen Maria will be with you shortly." She turned and left, closing the door behind her.
"She said that hours ago," said Dagmar. "Oh, this perfume they sprayed me with is going to make me sick."
"I do hope this all works well," said Summer. "I hope to see Jon soon."
"Aww," said Astrid. "Someone's getting a little lonely."
"Have patience," said Ser Xaxeras. "You will see your beloved soon. I assure you."
"Indeed," said Dalaris. "Remember, Summer, absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Summer laughed behind her hands. "I wonder where he is? Poor thing. Out there in the cold. I wish I could just hold him in my arms again."
"Cold?" laughed Genesis. "Believe me, Summer. I'm sure Jon's finding some way to keep himself warm that we can't even comprehend."
Jon - Outside The Iron Citadel
After a week of marching, Jon had finally reached the location of the vaults his father tasked him to find. Actually, he was about a hundred yards away from it; for he and his troops found trouble along the way. Unbeknownst to him, or to anyone for that matter, the forests of Ülland was the home of the savage Wild Men of Helleberg. And they were not at all pleased to see Jon and his army of warriors marching into their territory. Two thousand strong blocked the way to the ancient Citadel of Iron which dominated the landscape from the top of the mountain Grunden. Getting up there was going to be a hassle all its own, but that was going to be a task for much later.
For now, Jon had an army of savages to contend with. He sat atop his warhorse rubbing his hands together to create friction to warm his hands. He then remembered something. Duh! This was a mechanical suit his friend Zane Truesdale made for him. He held up his hands in front of his face. With just a thought, Jon turned on the heaters inside the gauntlets. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a hot burst of air caress his fingers. And then his entire suit started to warm his whole body, too.
From the top of his horse, he had a perfect view of the battlefield. His soldiers were perfectly lined up down below. They were in a clearing surrounded by pine trees as far as the eye could see. The snow was falling heavily from a thick curtain of black storm clouds and a biting wind blew from the north. He held out his right hand. A grayish-blue arcane circle hovered over his palms and from it emerged a beam of light that transformed into Gearfried the Iron Knight.
Marcel approached Jon, then touched the Red-Eyes Black Dragon pendant over his chest. Black armor with molten patterns formed over his body, then a shield and sword colored black and molten red formed from flames burning on his fingers.
"Nice armor," Jon said. "The Lord of the Red, they call you."
"Yes. It's a title given to the Kings of Akuuda."
"But you're still just a prince," Jaeyoung said, clad in heavy bronze armor trimmed in white fur.
"Now that Akuuda has joined the Alliance, I control the armies. Father is too old as well. As soon as Master Yu-Gi-Oh dubbed me a member, Father bestowed the honor to me."
"I imagine you had to work hard to be given the title."
"My friend, you couldn't possibly imagine. I spent months in the mountains, training with mages and fighters from the temple of Safaani. I felt like my bones were going to break."
Jon examined Marcel's armor. He smirked, for it was very pleasing to the eye. "For gear like that," he said, "I imagine it was worth it."
"Oh, it was very worth it," Marcel said. A helmet materialized over his face. The shielded visor was colored red and the sides were crowned with horns that looked like the ones on a Red-Eyes Black Dragon. Marcel swung his sword around, creating a red trail in the hair and the flames hissed as the blade whipped around. "Our friends are eager to fight you. Let's show them what we're made of."
Jon raised his axe and shouted. His warriors cheered when Gearfried also raised up his arms, rallying them to fight. Brökk laughed when he saw the knight and patted Jon's back with a powerful slap.
"That got their spirits up, eh? Sure as hell brought mine up. I've listened to great songs about this legendary warrior. You have no idea how honored I am to fight alongside him."
"Listen to him," teased Liola, dressed warmly in her white furs. "He sounds like a little girl who met her darling, dashing knight for the first time."
"Why do you mock me at every turn, Princess?" Brökk said with a playful laugh. "One of these days, you're going to find yourself over my knee as I tan that plump backside of yours."
"I'd like to see you try," Liola said with a tease.
"She likes you," Jon said emotionlessly.
"Beg your pardon," said Liola. "I most certainly do not, hermandalí!"
"It seems you do," Alfsigr commented riding towards them atop her Silver Fang mount. "Baba, junfru sâyen thron wulden drenna feya merra sultho, shen rentho feya chín."
"Care about him!" shouted Liola. "You must be out of your mind! What am I saying? Of course, you are! Look at you!"
Alfsigr smiled while mounted on top of the Silver Fang named Hallvard. He was well protected behind leather armor and plates of iron of his sensitive spots. But it was not the mount that got everyone's attention. Being the most amorous of Jon's sisters, she was not properly suited for combat. If it weren't for the raunchy torn top and torn loincloth of a tan-colored cloth made from saber tooth hide that was thinner than silk, Alfsigr would have been practically bare.
Her feet were protected in fur boots and vambraces shielded her forearms. She wore a pelt of a gray dire wolf she hunted when she was ten. Its head rested on the top of her own, acting as a cowl. A braid of her light-brown hair hung over her shoulder. The fur was enchanted with a resist-cold spell which kept her warm, but, being a Berja, she was naturally resistant to the cold. Her cheeks were striped in light blue as were her shoulders, thighs, and even her buttocks to show she was ready for war.
"Let her dress how she wants," said Jon. "If an arrow pierces her heart, she had better not blame us for not warning her to dress properly. Ødegân knows we've tried."
"You lot are no fun," said Alfsigr. "Besides, everyone knows the enemy is going to be keeping their eyes on me during this quarrel."
"I do not complain," Brökk said confidently. He looked at her from top to bottom. "Any tactical advantage we can get is welcome in my book."
"Trying to woo your enemies with your partially naked body is not tactical," said Liola. "It's pure, fucking madness!"
"And yet I have lived and gathered more kills in the field of battle than any of you," laughed Alfsigr. "Besides, you didn't seem to have that problem that day we earned our nicknames."
"I'd love to hear all about it when the battle is won," said Brökk.
"I'll bet you do," Jon growled, tightening his grip on the reins of his horse. He hated the tale of his sisters more than anything in the world and thought of it as a blight on his family's esteemed history.
Ooooooo! Thousands of men howled from the mists.
From the forests, emerged the leader of the Mountain Men. King Erik Dragonhammer. He stood eight-feet-high and very broad-shouldered. His face concealed behind a shaggy beard that looked like black seaweed. The patches of flesh that weren't concealed by the beard were wrinkled and dark in color giving him a beastly appearance. He wore dark brown furs, a belt, and animal-hide boots and wielded a wooden hammer with the head carved to look like a dragon. The mouth had a clever enchantment that allowed him to shoot fireballs from it making it an awesome weapon.
King Erik waved his hammer in circles to show off his power and hoped to intimidate Jon's forces. "Beekren Aljot! Malyendí Ulro!" he shouted.
Ooooooo! Howled his warriors, still concealed behind the trees and the thick screen of white mist.
Liola sniffed in amusement while King Erik started taunting them again. "These people should learn when they've met their match. He underestimates you for your age, hermandalí. And he believes he can take on your Gearfried."
"Aoh Sinta fin dal ünda!" King Erik shouted.
Oooooo! Howled the warriors.
Jon chuckled. "He's confident, I'll give him that. But why would he think so highly of his skills?"
Alfsigr giggled as King Erik shouted another taunt. "He thinks his hammer was blessed upon him by their thunder god."
Oooooo! Howled the Mountain Men after King Erik gave another speech and displayed another nerve-wracking swing of his wooden hammer.
"Ogründa seyoth mahúnda!" he shouted again.
Ooooo!
"He called one of us a whore," said Jon.
Liola slowly rotated her neck to the left. "I wonder who," she said looking at Alfsigr who rolled her eyes and sniggered at his challenge.
"How many Valkyries do we have?" Jon asked, referring to his special force of female warriors.
"A hundred and fifty give or take," Liola responded with a shrug.
Jon formed a confident grin. "I feel sorry for them already." Ooooo! The savages howled again. "Alfsigr. Lead them into battle first."
"Love to!" Alfsigr cried out with excitement, kicking Hallvard into a spring. The Silver Fang snarled in compliance and dashed down the hill towards front lines. Alfsigr blew her horn and called for all Valkyries to follow her to the front; for they were going to lead the charge. The Valkyries, being the battle-hardened warriors that they were, roared in compliance and acceptance; for they wanted nothing more than to go into battle first.
Brökk looked at Jon and said: "Your sisters are incredible."
"Why don't you follow her charge with your mastodons?" Jon suggested. "Give my sister and the Valkyries some backup. Keep an eye on her rear flanks."
"Oh, I'll have my eye on her rear flank alright," sneered Brokk, leading his horse towards the stables where the giant mammoths and mastodons were kept. His beast was already armored and prepped for battle. He quickly climbed onboard into the fortress of wood fastened to its back, a squad of fifteen archers finished what was left of their supper and picked up their bows while the driver cracked the whip forcing the mastodon into a walk.
Once the Mountain Men saw the Valkyries forming the lead assault force, they walked out of the mist howling and cheering. They banged their swords, hammers, and maces on their shields.
Oooooo! They kept howling to intimidate the women.
"Come on, send them to me!" Jaeyoung said.
The intimidating cries of the Mountain Men did not work. Alfsigr rode in front of the formation holding up her sword challenging the Wild Men with both a loud battle cry and her curvaceous physique so as to confuse and gain the attention of the enemy. It was working. It seemed like none of them had seen a woman in ages, let alone an army of them; many of whom were fair-faced and adorned with elegant hair like silk. Some did not know whether to attack or attempt to take her prisoner. In fact, she even got a few of them to start fighting amongst themselves for her.
Jon laughed out loud when he saw the small squabbles ruining the organization of the enemy ranks below. With one final shout, Alfsigr led the Valkyries into a mighty charge. The winged helmets of gold, silver, and mithril that shined above their heads gave them a heavenly appearance. The cold mountain air rang hot with the shouts of hundreds of battle-ready women.
Ooooo! The Mountain Men shouted one last time in an attempt to scare them. It did not work.
With a loud smack, the Valkyries rammed into the enemy line. They were outnumbered, but superior combat training and speed gave them the advantage. King Erik was quick to jump into combat and smacked a few of the Valkyries with his hammer, crushing their ribs and splattering their innards. He launched fireballs from the dragon's head on the top of his hammer igniting a few Valkyries adding more tallies to his kill count.
Soon, King Erik shouted for his men to encircle the Valkyries in a clever pincer formation. But Jon would not allow that.
He whistled. "Gunnvar, Gunnhildr!" he called his two older sisters. "Ride to Alfsigr and aid her."
"Yes brother!" said Gunnvar. "Yah!" she shouted kicking her horse into a gallop. Gunnhildr went after her, drawing her bow and shooting at the enemy from the top of her horse. She muttered an ancient chant and bewitched the arrow notched on her bow. She released it. When the arrow hit the ground, it caused a tremendous explosion, scattering the mountain men in all directions.
"Good Job!" Jon shouted. Axia, Gerdr, Grid!" he called his remaining sisters. "Lead our cavalry into the forest and strike them from the west."
"Yes brother!" both sisters said. Grid blew on her horn calling for the horsemen to follow her into the woods. Running beside her steed was her pet Smilodon, a saber-toothed big cat of full size. Her name was Freya, and she ran like the wind, taking the lead in front of Grid and the horsemen.
Meanwhile, Brökk had arrived on the open field of the clearing to join Alfsigr and the Valkyries. The mastodon bellowed and swiped a large group of Wild Men with its large, curved tusks. The men shrieked as they were flailed into the air like matchsticks. On the fortress above the mastodon, Brökk's archers immediately got to work firing their arrows at the enemy. Meanwhile, Brokk himself, and a group of his best men jumped down from the fortress to guard the massive animal's vulnerable legs.
Brökk roared like a grizzly bear and bashed his ax against his shield calling out for an opponent. Many of the Wild Men answered his call. They screamed and dashed for him. He ducked to avoid the strikes from their swords. He bashed his enemy in the throat with his shield, stunning him before smashing the axe on the top of his skull. Blood and bits of skull sprayed out of the wound and splashed Brökk's face. His eyes stung for but a moment, but he laughed and struck down his next victim. He grew so overconfident that he failed to see a hairy warrior charging towards him from behind. A streak of white flashed from beside him, and he was gone.
Brökk turned, spotting Alfsigr and her Silver Fang. She blew him a kiss and then kicked her wolf in a mighty sprint, disappearing into the throng of battle. The earth shook. Brokk thought his mastodon had fallen until he heard the enemy cheering and howling. A thunderous shout rocked the forest.
"Just great," said Liola. "They have a giant."
The giant had a thick mane of black, stringy hair. His beard went down to his stomach and his arms were shrouded in a thick layer of bushy hair. He wore mammoth furs and was armored with their bones. His helmet was a mammoth skull engraved in runes and decorated with shells and colorful strings.
"Time for us to join the fun," said Jon. "Gearfried, you ready for some action?" Gearfried roared and smashed his chest. "That's what I like to hear," said Jon.
He put on the technologically advanced helmet, anxious to see what it was about this armor that made eastern weaponry so fierce. Once it was fastened snugly over his head, he saw nothing. It was as dark as night and the material of the helmet muffled every sound from the outside.
Jon heard not a sound. He would have proclaimed himself deaf had it not been for the ringing in his ears and the pestersome throbbing of the blood pulsing through every vessel in his head. But then a HUD flashed before his eyes. The bright display forced him to squint. Once his eyes grew adjusted to the light he read the HUD in its entirety.
The display started showing him data graphs, windows of information, and a bar that said LOADING in large red letters. At the right-hand corner, the emblem of the Royal Family of Riftgaard was on display blinking slowly. In no time at all, Jon was blessed with a 360° view of the world around him making it appear as though he was wearing no helmet.
The high-definition camera on the top of the helmet – fused with the golden plume – gave Jon an 8k resolution view of the world around him. His HUD displayed a compass on the top of the visor. A small window showed him the status of his armor. All parts of the armor; the arms, legs, head, and torso were on the green and reading 100%. The speakers beside his ears projected the chaotic melody of the battle outside. If it was too loud, there was no need for worry; for Jon's armor had a fascinating feature that allowed him to lower and raise the volume of the speakers by tapping the tips of his thumb and index finger on his gauntlet.
"My Lord! Your weapon!" one of his warriors shouted, handing him Anduin.
Jon looked so out of place. There he sat on the top of his horse clad in futuristic gear from beyond the mountains surrounded by his warriors clad in leather, fur, chainmail, and iron plate with their swords, spears, and axes. It gave him a sense of power, unlike anything he felt before. The sleek design and refined coating of the paint reflected the waning sunlight. A holographic reflex sight digitized over the rails of the rifle to give Jon accuracy in battle.
"Beautiful," said Jon. "Prince Yuri. Master Yu-Gi-Oh. This battle is for you!"
Jon got off his horse. He marched down the hill while he raised his weapon high. Gearfried the Iron Knight followed him. The very sight of him caused his warriors to roar in triumph. They banged their weapons on their shields while chanting his name. Jon, fueled by adrenaline and the thirst for vengeance for the constant delays of Prince Yuri's return, roared as loudly. Gearfried thumped his thick iron chest while bellowing a deafening battle cry. When their shouts entered the cold, stinging ears of the warriors, it also filled them with a lust for killing. Their bodies suddenly grew as warm as a summer day. The mist from their breath gathered over their heads in a large cloud.
Jon charged down the hill. Seven thousand soldiers followed suit. The speakers in Jon's helmet picked up their footsteps which boomed and shook the ground beneath his feet. Jon aimed down the sights of his battle rifle. He squeezed the trigger and let out a hail of bullets upon two Wild Men attempting to block his way with their shields of oak. The bullets ripped through the shields and drilled into their flesh, ripping their innards to end them quickly.
"This armor! I'm invincible!"
A rushing river of overconfidence flowed down his form growing hot with the urge to kill his oversized foe. His teeth ground together to keep his feelings in balance so as not to lose himself in his brashness. The giant shoved Gearfried with his massive palm. The Iron Knight grunted from the impact while he fell to the ground sending a thick veil of snow into the air. The giant grunted seeing Jon run towards him. He attempted to smash him, but Jon was far too quick for that. He rolled forward, missing the foot and bringing himself closer to the beast. Jon bellowed and smashed his flaming weapon on the giant's heel.
The giant howled. His flesh, cooking in the fire, stung and hissed. The agony rolled up his leg like a thousand arrows piercing him at once. With all his might, Jon released the weapon from the giant's flesh and evaded the giant stomp with another roll. Gearfried lifted himself up and leaped into the air, he screamed, holding up his bladed arm. He jabbed it into the giant's back. The giant groaned. He twisted his body violently to shake Gearfried off. While he was preoccupied with the Iron Knight, Jon struck him again in the back of the left leg with his thunder ax.
Brökk, whistled for his mastodon to approach the giant so his archers could aid Jon and Gearfried in bringing the giant down. Alfsigr picked up a spear from a dead Wild Man. She kicked her Silver Fang into a sprint. Alfsigr scanned the giant for a weak point. She noticed he was limping from the wound Jon caused. The flesh on the leg resembled melted candle wax and bore the redness of undercooked meat. Silver Fang howled to announce the coming of her master. Alfsigr threw the spear into the wound. The giant bellowed, falling to his knees. Jon climbed up the shoulders of the weakened beast. The jets at the bottom of his boots lifted him into the air.
He grabbed the giant from the neck and power slammed his face to the ground. Snow and blood burst into the air. The giant's flesh ricocheted back and forth, and most of his teeth cracked. As he was dazed, Jon used the jet boots to launch him in the air again.
Jon held up the ax while he rose higher and higher over the giant's head. Then, using all his might, brought the weapon down his neck, decapitating him. The sight caused Jon's warriors to cheer and the Wild Men to flee. After two, long hours, the battle was over. King Erik and his Wild Men thought they could stop Jon from advancing to the Citadel and claim Gearfried's true power.
When the injured were recovered and the dead buried in the snow, Jon, his sisters, and Brökk led their forces to the bottom of the mountain where the citadel stood, still in pristine condition as though it were built just recently.
"That mountain doesn't look climbable, brother," said Axia. "There is no way any of us can get up there."
"And look," Gunnvar said pointing at the citadel. "Save for a few windows, there are no entrances into the damned thing."
Jon's mouth curved into a smug grin. "Because you're not supposed to enter the Citadel of Iron through the tower."
Gunnvar scratched her head. "Huh? Stop speaking in riddles brother!"
"Yes! Please!" said Gerdr. "Besides, look at that thing! There's no way all of our warriors will be able to fit in there."
"Hush!" Liola said, gently placing a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Our Lord Brother knows what to do. Don't you?"
Jon nodded. "According to father, the mountain will show the door only to a Wolf of Riftgaard." He held up his wrist. A holographic map projected over the vambrace. Jon tapped on the map to zoom in on the mountain. "Ah," he said. "Everyone step back. According to this map, what you're about to see should be most impressive."
The armor sent out a signal to a device hidden inside the rocks. The device beeped and scanned the armor. Then, all went silent. Just then, the side of the mountain shook. The Berja had never seen anything like this, let alone thought it existed. They grew scared and raised their weapons, thinking something foul was about to swoop upon them. The rocks slid aside to reveal a towering door of glimmering steel engraved with runes. The door shuddered violently causing a few avalanches to slide down the mountain. At last, the door was fully opened revealing the entrance to a forgotten city deep within the mountains.
Liola looked at her brother. Her arctic-blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight. She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Father would be so proud of you brother. We must write to him as soon as possible."
"I'll send the raven," said Gunnhildr. "Congratulations, brother! You found it!"
Grid jumped and shouted: "Ya-la-la-la-la!" while her Saber Tooth roared. Brökk thumped his sword on his shield and chanted: "Jon! Jon! Jon! Jon!" he rallied the others to cheer along with him, and they did.
Liola hugged Jon with all her might. "Father gave you that armor and sent you on this quest. You should be the first to enter."
Jon nodded his head. "We did it!" he said to his sisters and his warriors. "We did it together! We all found it!"
But the warriors' love and respect for Jon was too great. They formed in front of the entrance and created a path for him to walk. Those who stood on both sides of the path held up their shields and pointed their swords in the air creating an arch for him to walk under. Jon was about to enter when Liola stopped him.
"Hold on, brother. Before you go, you must wear this first. Father told me to put it on your brow as soon as we found the Citadel." Liloa went to her horse, opening a pouch on the saddle. She took something out of it. The gift was wrapped in silk and remained under its shroud until Liola got close to Jon. When she stood in front of him, she unwrapped the silk revealing a crown of platinum engraved with scenes of ancient battles fought by the Wolves of Riftgaard and decorated with wolf statuettes.
"It is the crown worn by our ancestors when they patrolled these mountains. The Crown of Fenrir, a symbol given only to the leaders of the Wolves of Riftgaard. Since it is you who has restored this noble order, the honor of wearing it is yours."
A few tears rolled down Jon's cheeks. He kissed his sister's forehead and knelt. Liola held up the crown for all to see.
"All Hail Jon Jahangir!" shouted Liola.
Jon raised his axe and roared. His troops raised up their arms and shouted triumphantly for him. Jon turned and walked into the Citadel with Gearfried the Iron Knight by his side. Together, they disappeared into the darkness. Then...they were gone. Hours went by. Nothing.
Before Liola could suggest sending in a search party, she noticed something in the sky. Dragons. Three of them.
"What on earth?" she said.
A powerful horn thundered from the pines. The earth shook as a massive, long-necked creature with a city on its back made its dramatic entrance through the trees. The Riftgaardian troops walked backward in unison. They were confused but not frightened. Each and every one of them was filled with adrenaline from the previous battle, and they were so proud of their victory and Jon's success that they didn't feel any fear. One of the three dragons, a green one with six wings, flew towards one of the towers of the city. The dragon cupped its hands together near a balcony. The troops below could make out a group of figures stepping onto it. The dragon then flew down in front of the army below and lowered his hands to reveal Queen Maria. She was with Ser Xaxeras, Summer, Dalaris, and the rest of Jon's sisters.
"Hello, sisters!" Astrid said. "Did you win the battle already? Awww. I really wanted to see dragons in action."
Liola stepped forward confused. "Um...what's going on here?"
Maria stepped out of the dragon's hands to walk towards Liola. "Hello, Princess Liola. I am Maria Delgado. Queen of Riftgaard."
Liola smirked and sniffed to let out her humor. "Well, I suppose those stories I heard are true. You overthrew your father and gained power."
"And dragons," said Maria. "This is Evozar Laggia. The other two up there are Solda and Dalkka. They were awakened and then given to me by Avi, the Summoner of Dragons."
"Well, I'll be blown," said Alfsigir. "The Summoner of Dragons exists. Is she with you?"
Maria said no. "I'm afraid not. She had other matters to attend to towards the East. However, I have come to aid you with your Naralia problem. Where is your brother? I must speak to him at once."
Liola jerked her thumb toward the Citadel of Iron. "He's in the temple unlocking the power of Gearfried the Iron Knight. And he's been in there for..." One of the soldiers blew on a horn, and it was followed by the triumphant cheers of the Riftgaardian army. Liola looked over her shoulder and smiled. "He's here."
Maria gasped, watching as stormclouds eerily billowed out of the entrance of the Citadel. Jon was walking out of it, and he was not alone. Walking alongside him him was a nine-foot-tall warrior naked from the waist up. He wore a black and blue tasset of fur and iron around his waist and he had long, jet-black hair flowing down past his back.
Gearfried the Iron Knight was no more. In his place was the legendary Gearfried the Swordmaster.
The Riftgaardians bowed as Jon and Gearfried walked past them. Jon was not wearing his armor. He wore no shirt and only had on black leather slacks and his boots. On one hand, he carried Anduin. On the left was another powerful battle-axe that Gearfried the Swordmaster forged out of the armor that once contained his power. Its dark and light-colored metal shined like the sun and the moon. The darker metal shimmered like the stars at night and also shined like the Riftgaardian Aurora. And Jon named his new axe, Erondion. The Flame of Riftgaard. Once Jon reached the front of the lines towards his sisters, they lined up and took a bow. Maria did so respectfully.
"My Lord," Ser Xaxeras said, kneeling at once.
"Jon!" Summer cried. She ran across the snow with her arms held up.
"Summer?" Jon said. He sprinted towards her, leaving Gearfried behind. Once they embraced, he spun her around and kissed her. "What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay in the castle." He placed a hand over her womanhood. "How's the baby?"
Summer laughed. She bit her bottom lip and slid her hand down his rock-hard pecs, down to his abs. She looked over his shoulder and saw Gearfried. She stepped back from Jon and bowed to him. Gearfried the Swordmaster smiled at her and nodded his head. Summer stood back up and hugged Jon even tighter, proud and happy that he was successful with his mission. She looked up at the Crown of Fenrir shining brightly on his head and stroked the shaven part of his head with her fingertips. "Look at you. My hero!" She kissed him for over a minute, wrapping her arms around his neck. When their lips parted, she peppered his lips with smaller kisses. "Master Yugi would be so proud of you! What would he say?"
"What of the baby?" Jon asked again.
"It's all right, my love. We're fine. All of us. Queen Maria has taken good care of us."
"Who is this?" Jon asked. "Maria?"
Maria looked up at him. "Prince Jon? Has it been so long?"
"Maria?" Jon helped her back up to his feet. "The years have gone by. You've grown to be very powerful so I've heard. You're a queen now."
"I had to take a terrible path to get the crown," Maria said with remorse. "I had hoped there would be a better way."
"When you're dealing with a man as corrupt as your father, I'm afraid there is no other way. I see Master Yugi has taught you to play the game of thrones well."
"I had lots of help," she said. "As much as I'd like to stay here and chat, I'm afraid there's much we need to talk about. There's an army of Naralians marching toward your castle. Luckily the Soul of Silvermountain has been awaked by your brave little sister, Astrid, and..."
"You've awaked him already?" Jon asked. He laughed and ruffled her hair. "What else have you all been up to while I was gone?"
"Maria helped me," Astrid said. Her great beast took us across the wastes with no trouble at all. And those knights in the mechanical dinosaurs fended off every dark creature we encountered. It made for a very easy ride. The Soul knows about the army and has conjured a great blizzard to stop them. Well...for now."
Jon shouldered Erondion and gripped Anduin tightly in his grip. "Well, then, let's go meet them. My axes long for traitor's blood."
"And my dragons are itching to burn something up," said Maria. "Come, my friends. Let us teach those fools a lesson they will never forget!"