Chapter 2: Of soldiers and mud

Road to the Mausoleum
Oakenvale, Menoia
Wendas, 66th of Summerset
POV: Aurius

"Could someone explain to me the point of walking the whole way? Couldn't we go hire a carriage or something old timey. Like a dragon or something?" Karkat whined.

I snorted in annoyance. If there was the SLIGHTEST of possibilities he could shut up, even for a minute, I would cry with joy.

"We are trying to travel light, and to be unseen and inconspicuous. And I believe that flying by on top of a Dragon might be a little counter productive"

He looked at me with a hint of amusement. "Sarcasm? Dumbass."

I ignored him. We continued on in our walk through the woods. A small dirt path guided us to The Mausoleum of The Defenders. It was the closest landmark to Kairo's Fortress, named Skyfall. Kairo was and old friend of mine, a Lord of Time. He controlled all of time. He and his wife, Jesska, where the only ones with the ability to open a Realm Gate.

It would take a good few days to get there, but all was well. So far two days had past since we left Sadow, and my beautiful little Inn. We had travelled swiftly, and slept near a ditch some ways back. Up until today, Karkat had been fine. But now he decided to complain. About anything. A rock in his shoe, no dragon to ride. It was getting ridiculous. A tap on my shoulder woke me from my thoughts.

A group of men in armor approached. Their armor was dark gray and red. Their helms where modeled in the shape of a wolf's head.

I cursed under my breath and quickly threw myself into the brush beside us, dragging Karkat with me.

"What in the name of..." I muffled his mouth before he started a string of curses. I stopped, and he looked at me, noticing my look of alarm.

"What is it? Who are these guys?" He whispered to me

"They, are the Valiant. A organization dedicated to changing the religion of our world. They would restrict magic to those they deem worthy of the power, and kill all magic users who didn't meet that criteria. They've been at war with Angair for the continent. It's a wonder why they're here, this is Angairian Territory."

"Should we go find out?" Karkat asked.

"I'll find out. Stay here. You would alarm them."

I carefully dropped my pack, and slowly left the bush.

The lead guard, the one with a red flowing cape, approached me.

"Hello, traveler. Would you know where the town of Sadow might be?" He asked. His voice was honeyed.

"Why would a group of soldiers like yourselves want to go there?"

"Let's just say..." He began with a smile. "We may have found something of utmost importance."

I grew uneasy at that thought. What could they have found? Other than me and Karkat, there was nothing to find.

"What have you found?" I asked.

The leader was about to answer, until one of his recruits piped up.

"Apparently the Prince of Flames lives there. And a magical creature with him."

"The prince of flames is the Pheonix of Menoia. He needs no magical creatures." I replied.

"The creature in question arrived two days." The leader stated.

That confirmed my fears.

"Why are you looking for a creature?" By this point I was seriously pushing my luck. I had no idea if they would answer, or kill me.

"One of the same creatures landed in the Royal Palace this past day. The king took a liking to him, and made him a Lord. He, being now a lord, asked to see if we could find any more of his kind." Replied the leader.

Now I was very concerned. Unless these soldiers where drop dead stupid, they didn't plan to let me leave alive. That much confirmed itself as one of them drew his sword.

"I'm sorry. We can't let you live." The soldier said.

"Well isn't that unfortunate. What a mercy you've got." Came a sly voice from behind.

I turned to see Karkat leaning against a tree. He swung a Hand Scythe back and forth, looking amused.

I was about to curse at him, but the guard's leader interrupted me.

"This changes things. Creature, by the command of Lord Ampora, you are to come with us! Will you come willingly?"

"Well aren't you just the motherfucking image of authority, wolf face. No one will come willingly for you. Tell Eridan to come to us."

"It doesn't work that way." Replied the guard, drawing a sword. They all drew their blades.

I drew my crimson sword, preparing to charge at our opponents. However, much to my surprise, it was Karkat who charged in a full sprint.

He swung below the knee of the leader, meeting a shield, which pinned his scythe to the ground. The leader went to kick him away, but he grabbed the leg, and shattered it. The foot soldier to the left of the leader cursed at him and charged, stabbing with his blade.

Moving as quick as I could, I blocked the blade with the flat of my own. I spun it up and through the soldiers chest. By this time Karkat had managed to retrieve his scythe, and get us surrounded. Damn him. I turned to look at him, giving him my worst "if you do this again, I will tear your spinal cord out" look. He rolled his eyes and returned to the battle. I noticed the soldier where approaching in order. Classic one on one swordplay. Idiots. If they charged all at once, they actually had a chance of defeating me.

A soldier with a bruised eye charged first, swinging wildly to the right.

"So, Vantas, when I say switch..."

I spun my sword straight down, blocking the strike, and swung up, cleaving through my opponents neck. Next came another, throwing his shield at me and jabbing rapidly.

"...I want you to switch attackers with me, understood?" I asked
"Why do you need to pause? Just tell me to switch, god damn it!"

I blocked each rapid strike with the flat of my blade, retreating. With each blow I backed closer to Karkat, until we were back to back. It was not difficult to block rapid strikes, but with the sound of death coming from behind me, it became difficult to concentrate.

"Switch!" I roared.

Karkat grabbed my shoulder, jumping over my head and struck my opponent from above. I ducked under him, stabbing an opponent who was charging with a lance. We traded opponents several times more, until finally none where left standing.

I wiped the blood of my blade, creating smears of blood on the grass below me. I no longer cared if we were seen, seeing as we were being actively hunted. I walked over to a horse, as Karkat cleaned his scythe on a nearby tree.

"Next time. Try not to scare the shit out of the guards." I told him.

"I stick out. Brilliant deductive skills, smart fuck. Although that was the funniest thing I've done in years. Did you see their faces?!" He chuckled.

We walked in silence for the rest of the night. And by we I mean I did. Karkat just went on about how he was the image of doom, of how his blade's edge was the freezing cold burn of agony. It was amusing to hear him rant on. Finally, at dawn, the mausoleum was in sight. As we approached, I immediately knew something was wrong.

The sky fortress didn't exist. Where it was supposed to be was just a cleared field.