Chapter 3
That Sir Iceman was embarrassed was an understatement. His King had made and executed a plan to steal an artifact of some questionable value. He then came back briefly to report his success and raced off to test his theories about the artifact.
Yet his discomfort did not stem from his King, but for the fact that the artifact's rightful owner was standing across from his desk, with an impatient tapping of his fingers. Yet he was absolutely mortified by the evidence presented that pointed out the Black Prince as the culprit.
"Well, do you believe this evidence is sufficient?" Or should I show more?" The Sun King asked.
Looking down at the iPad with resigned eyes, he answered. "No, this makes it readily apparent. I am truly sorry…"
The Sun King held his palm up to stop him. "I do not wish to hear an apology from you. I wish to hear it from your King. Contact him immediately."
Though the 8th Campione stood much shorter in stature than Sir Iceman, at the present moment, he was quite intimidating. He spoke with a seemingly calm tone. Yet it was obvious the emotion he was holding back. Anger.
Iceman immediately picked up his phone and called the Black Prince.
"Yes? I'm quite busy right now. Make it quick."
Clearing his throat, he responded. "Your Majesty….the 8th Campione is here in my office."
There was a brief silence and the Black Prince replied. "Is he now? Well, what does he want?"
Before Iceman could respond, the Sun King approached the phone and pushed the speaker button.
"It concerns a particular artifact that you stole three days ago."
"That is a bold accusation. I do hope you have some type of proof and are not merely jumping to conclusions. Because if you are…"
"Indeed. We have evidence. We have a young man arriving at the Tijuana International Airport by the name of Alex Gascony."
*Humph* "I do hope you realize my name is Alexander Gascoigne."
"I am." The Sun King replied. "However, this Alex Gascony, a student from France, also made a visit to the associates of John Pluto Smith about 7 months ago who, as it turned out, came to test an artifact he took without permission. Of course, I'm sure you remember that visit."
Alex became irritated, holding his phone.
"Additionally, while it may have somehow been someone who's real name is an alias you previously used and a completely different person despite bearing a striking resemblance to you, we also have a credit card purchase in the airport under your name."
Under his breath, Sir Iceman commented. "…paper trail always gets you…"
"Well, I was in Tijuana for a couple days but you can chalk that up to mere coincidence with your theft." He curtly replied.
"Furthermore, if this is the only proof you have then you should give up this preposterous assumption…"
"Ah yes. Sir Iceman would you be so kind as to present the final piece of evidence?"
Hearing this Alexander asked "What is it Iceman?"
Slowly, he began to give a description.
"It is a man, who appears to be your Majesty, takes a seat and takes out a rather large magical gem and begins to examine it." He sighed. "Your Majesty puts down the gem on his book and a young child comes and snatches it and runs away. It appears you used your godspeed because the gem is back in your hands. The child begins to cry eliciting the attention of the mother who comes to confront you. You begin to ignore her and a young lady comes to your defense. The mother grabs the child and leaves. You seem to make a comment and it appears to have offended the young lady who helped you and she storms off, throwing water in your face."
"I heard rumors that you had quite a bad reputation from how you deal with women."
"Tch! Fine! You caught me. What do you want?" Alex confessed.
The Sun King held up a finger. "Three things. One is payment for the injuries my subjects received when you stole from the museum."
"Agreed."
"Two is the return of my artifact and three is an apology face to face" He declared as he raised his other two fingers.
"I'm afraid I can't do the last two." Alexander firmly replied.
The Sun King scrunched his eyebrows and narrowed his eyes. "Excuse me?"
"I said the last two demands are something I won't fulfill."
"And…why is that?" The Sun King asked with fire in his eyes.
"Because I want to study this artifact further for my own personal use and I don't feel like an apology is necessary."
He continued. "You should relish in the fact that you caught me. Yet an apology would be filled with empty words and non-existent remorse."
Both Sir Iceman and Laura had their mouths wide open in shock. They slowly turned to see how the Sun King would react.
Hands clenched and shaking and barely holding back a snarl, he commented. "This is something you should reconsider. I am not one who will take such an insult lightly."
"Well then it appears that we are at odds then. So if you want your artifact and apology so badly, I suggest you come and find me if you can."
The Sun King's hand throbbed at this willful insolence. "You do realize that I could destroy this Royal Arsenal of yours correct?"
"The fact that you didn't do that from the start shows that you have more restraint than your reputation would suggest. You may choose to try and destroy my organization but I doubt you'd be able to stop me from destroying yours. And in the end, you wouldn't gain back your precious artifact."
He continued to reason. "So to destroy only to lose more would be just wasted effort. A cycle of perpetual destruction where nothing is achieved. So why not let this matter go? Or simply take something of equal value to your artifact from my organization? I feel that would be an adequate recompense."
He stopped shaking and began to reflect on the Black Prince's words. Taking a deep sigh, the Sun King replied. "Hmmm…it appears you are correct. I do not wish to start a war with you. We would lose much more than necessary. Eventually, we will meet upon the battlefield and settle this score. Good day."
The Sun King turned around and began to walk to the door.
"Your Majesty! You can't be serious!" Laura complained.
"Laura, he has agreed to one of my demands. Furthermore, the Black Prince is right. To start a war over a mere artifact would be unwise and pointless. We have more important matters to attend to. Now come." The Sun King calmly ordered.
Shooting Sir Iceman a dirty look, she jadedly followed her king. Sir Iceman saw them get in their car and drive off, whereupon he quickly returned to the phone and yelled. "WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?! HE COULD HAVE DESTROYED ALL OF THE ROYAL ARSENAL!"
"Calm down Iceman." Alexander ordered. "Speaking with him, I realized that the 8th Campione was one who would actually listen to reason. It seems there is method behind the madness he has enacted."
Trembling for having avoided the possibility of assured destruction, Sir Iceman slowly sat down.
"Still, keep tabs on him until he leaves the country. We need to make sure that he has actually accepted reasoning and won't suddenly change his mind. Now take a drink and go about your duties."
A week later, there had been no incident. The Sun King had left that very same day from England. If anything, things were much better.
Morale at the Royal Arsenal was sky high. The Black Prince had conquered the Savage King of the West with his words and threats.
"Our King is amazing! That new King ran off scared like a dog with his tail between his legs!"
"Our King could probably wipe the floor with the Sunny King!"
"Psssh we could have probably taken him on ourselves to save our Majesty the time!"
Such were the phrases heard around the Royal Arsenal.
"Such foolish words." Sir Iceman smiled. "Though I am glad that nothing came to pass."
News of the Black Prince's bloodless victory was spread around Europe from Witengamot to the Orders of the Copper-Black Cross and Bronze-Black Cross. Magical refugees, victims of the destruction of their organizations by the Sun King, came flocking to the Royal Arsenal, bringing with them knowledge and business of Mexico's magical world.
The Black Prince had a newfound pride and spoke with princely gloat with every check-in. There was only one person who was not at ease with the way the matter was settled, Cecilia Cheung.
She had made a rare visit to headquarters to bring new knowledge on various projects and artifacts that had been researched in the Far East as well as updates on the possible locations of the Campiones Luo Hao and Dejanstal Voban. She even brought her analysis of the various weaknesses and intelligence leaks of the various magical organizations that were headed by Campione.
"I really wish Alexander were here." Cecilia said with a sigh.
"Why?" Sir Iceman asked.
"I just have a bad feeling about this whole mess."
"Well, worry not. It's been a week and our sources tell us that the Sun King has kept to his domain." Sir Iceman reassured.
"Exactly. That's why I worry. Doesn't it strike you odd that a man who is known for his constant travels to suddenly stop and coop up in his home?" Cecilia questioned.
"Remember, we misjudge the new king. Our King has reassured me that he shouldn't pose much of a threat now."
*sigh*"I hope you're right. By the way, what's with all these new people?"
Sir Iceman calmly explained. "Since word has spread of our Majesty's relatively peaceful and bloodless victory, many refugees have come to us."
"Refugees." Cecilia asked perplexed.
"Yes. You remember the period of silence in the magical world that Mexico experienced some months ago?"
Cecila thought for a moment. "Yes."
"We now know that it was during the Sun King's rise to power. During that time, he destroyed many magical organizations that wished to gain his favor. As such, many members of those organizations fled or went into hiding. They've come to see that Royal Arsenal as a safe haven."
Cecilia sat down and rested her chin on clasped hands, pondering. "Why didn't we hear of them before?"
"Well, we did but their numbers were few and it was only until recently that we had an influx of them."
She stared at Sir Iceman. "And you really believe they all came because of Alexander's victory?"
Sir Iceman turned to her puzzled. "What are you saying?
"Isn't it a little too convenient that so many members from the deposed organizations have come rushing to us? It's not like they're being persecuted or anything."
"I think you're looking a bit too much into this. Do not people around the world hold the idea of the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Sir Iceman posed.
He continued. "This phrase is especially true for that region of the world. During the Spanish conquest of the New World, didn't the tribes that had been conquered and subjugated by the Aztecs decide to revolt and help the Spanish?"
"Hmm well you have a point…" Cecilia admitted.
"Just relax Cecilia. I feel you're over thinking this." Sir Iceman suggested.
"I hope you're right." She took out her phone and frowned.
"Are we have internet problems again?"
"I hope not. I told Nguyen to keep on top of that." Sir Iceman said.
He picked up the phone and as he began to dial, he paused.
"What is it?" Cecilia asked.
"No dial tone." He put the phone down.
"Lend me your phone, it should still work."
"Yeah here." She handed over her phone.
"…There's no signal." He looked at her phone then looked at Cecilia with worried eyes.
Then the lights in the Royal Arsenal glowed and shut off. Quickly putting two fingers to his ear, he shouted "Oh Boreas! Send my voice through your cool winds!"
Two mini magic circles appeared on his ear and his mouth, both connected by magical lines.
"Nguyen, what is happening down there?!" Sir Iceman hurriedly questioned.
"I don't know. I'm on my way to check it out now. Wait! Who are…GAH!"
"Nguyen? Nguyen!" He shouted. All he heard was silence.
He turned to Cecilia.
"Go around and order an evacuation of the building. I'll go down to the generator rooms to see what is happening."
As they both headed to the door, a voice resounded throughout the building.
"Good afternoon everyone! As of now, everyone should head to one of two locations. Those who choose to surrender peacefully should head to the southern garden where they should run and not look back. Those who chose otherwise are to go to the Northern entrance. As of now, the Royal Arsenal is under attack. Those who foolishly choose to fight shall be forced to submit. Those who would do otherwise should run for their lives."
Cecilia looked at the Northern entrance and saw a small army had amassed. At its head, stood a man in black slacks, a purple vest and a white collar shirt with rolled up sleeves that showed his tan arms, one which held a magical club armed with sharp black edges.
As Cecilia identified who the perpetrator was, his voice boomed throughout the Royal Arsenal.
"I am the Sun King! Submit now or face my fury!"
"Cecilia I need you to go to the outskirts of this barrier to try and reach our King. I don't know how much time I will be able to buy you so hurry!"
Cecilia turned and ran down the hall.
It became apparent to both of them that a great magical barrier had been cast to remove communications both within and to the outside world. They could safely assume that the Sun King was the caster and there was no way they'd be able to defeat him, let alone him and his army.
As she ran, she encountered pandemonium.
People were running around tripping over each other. There was yelling and shouting with papers flying about, probably some poor fool try to save his research. As she hurried, she swore she even saw members fighting each other.
Reaching the end, she began hearing footsteps behind her. At first, she thought it was some random person trying to find their way out but soon she dismissed the explanation.
It felt like she was being followed. The footsteps were firm and resonated across the floor like a drop of water rippling across a pond's surface.
Reaching the end of the hallway, she turned to identify the culprit.
Amongst all the frantic members, a man stood out. He wore a grey collar shirt with matching black vests, slacks and dress shoes. He wore a pinstripe fedora whose brim hid his eyes. He walked calmly and with direction as the people around him seemed to blur, he alone stayed in focus. With a quick blink, he disappeared.
As the crowd of members swarmed around her, she turned the corner and stopped abruptly.
Her eyes widened. The man seemingly appeared right in front of her!
"I'm sorry young lady but, you'll have to come with me."
She quickly twisted around only to find him blocking her way.
She swiftly pulled out a marble from her pocked and flung it at his feet. A purple haze erupted and everyone began running into walls, confused and disoriented to their surroundings.
She hurried to the arch doorway. She wrapped her fingers around the door handle and…
"Ahh The confusion marble" The voice called out behind it as a hand reach out and gripped her shoulder. "Its ability to distort the visual and auditory perception of people, though short lived, is a great distraction for quick escapes. Jeje a woman after my own heart."
She slowly turned with fearful eyes.
"I'm sure you wish to escape but you've sparked the interest of my master. So I'm afraid you'll be coming with me." The shadowy man declared.
With a sudden shade, they were gone.
This was not Sir Iceman's day. What started out as an ordinary Friday had spiraled into a doomsday. With communications cut, members in a panic, and oh who could forget the embodiment of disaster slowly approaching their headquarters that seemed to still have a slight grudge of the Black Prince's treatment.
Everything seemed to be going wrong.
Right now, he had two options. 1) to keep the sun King at bay long enough for Cecilia to contact King Alexander. His arrival time could range from a few minutes to a day even at his max speed.
"I wish he would at least tell us his whereabouts every now and again!" He loudly protested.
His second option was to retreat and give up the headquarters. The difficulty with this option was the lack of discipline of many members in the Royal Arsenal. He was sure that many fools would choose to stay and fight rather than give up.
"I don't like the success of either of these plans. So why not both?" He said with resign.
As he concluded his thought, a voice boomed once again.
"Members of the Royal Arsenal! I offer you mercy! Merely vacate this building and flee for your lives! To do otherwise would be futile!"
Raising his hand to his ear, he chanted the communication spell. "Everyone receiving this message. It's Sir Iceman and I order you to meet at the plaza entrance!"
While Sir Iceman was executing his plan, Ernesto approached the building steadily being followed closely by his army. He began to think of how it all came down this plan some days ago.
"…How are you expecting to destroy the Royal Arsenal WITHOUT CASUALTIES?! You attacking their main headquarters! You think they'll just let you do it?"
The one asking the questions was Laura.
"My Lord, she does bring up an important point. If you were to use my army of knights, then it would be a simple matter. But that would leave us practically defenseless if the Black Prince shows up." The General added.
"That's if he shows up there. He may just decide to destroy the Sixth Sun on his way there and we'd definitely be defenseless." Laura replied.
Ernesto began to think. How could he both have a fighting force to take on the inevitable resistance that the Royal Arsenal would give and still have a force to protect his own headquarters should his plan go awry?
"Don't forget! IF you want to avoid casualties, you'll be unable to use some authorities." Laura informed.
"And it would be the best strategy to limit the authorities you do show." The General added.
If he headed with an army, the headquarters would be attacked. If he cut communications, it would keep Alexander from arriving any time soon but also would throw the Royal Arsenal into disarray, making rescue efforts and what he assumed would be normal evacuation procedures difficult. Yet it would keep them from forming an actual counter offense. If he stormed the place with an army without cutting communications, they could launch a counteroffensive and Alexander could enter the picture. If they were cut, casualties would happen on both sides.
His eyebrows furrowed. No matter how he thought of it, there was a security risk left somewhere.
After the meeting, he was resting in his room when Laura came knocking on his door.
"Ernesto, I know we haven't thought of a good plan but if you really want to take down the Royal Arsenal, we're going to need a plan and fast or else we won't be able to prepare." She sighed and then gave him a box. "By the way, King Kusanagi sent you a package."
Opening it, he found the newest Godzilla movie. "Ahh it appears he greatly enjoyed it. Jeje it was awesome."
Hearing this, Laura crossed her arms. *Sigh* "We're planning the destruction of the headquarters of a Campione's base and all you really show interest in is a monster movie."
"Hey! Tell me that Godzilla wasn't an awesome movie!" Ernesto crowed.
"It's just a big monster destroying other monsters and the city of San Francisco in the process." She then nonchalantly added, "And a bunch of military guys trying to stop a nuke. Which is pretty useless considering Godzilla is a walking disaster and destroyed the city anyways."
"Wait. Aren't you always calling me a walking disaster? Since when am I the same as a 100 foot lizard that breathes cool atomic breath?"
"Okay so maybe you're not a full walking disaster. You can reel it in sometimes. But besides other monsters like you, you can just rampage through anything. Nothing can stand in your way."
Hearing this, his eyes lit up with the solution he was looking for.
The halls echoed with yells and panic. Sir Iceman didn't think the Royal Arsenal would fall into disarray so quickly. Still their opponent made it reasonable. He turned to look at everyone assembled.
First was Mowliid, a Somali pirate with a modified light machine gun and an itchy trigger finger. Though reckless, his ability to infuse high levels of magic into his ammunition in real time made him a powerful ally.
Next up was Grigori, a Czech bodyguard with a strongman obsession. He possessed unmatched magical strength and could lift up an entire building if necessary.
Behind him stood Aarush, who could only be described as the pyromaniac from India. He stood above others in the field of fire magic and despite his unhealthy obsession, could be reasoned with.
"Where are the others?" Sir Iceman questioned. The doors burst open with three more outlaws making an entrance.
There was Sai, a katana wielding yakuza gangster. Dressed in a business suit, with her trust blade sheathed, she was an imposing figure who exuded a killer intent with her eyes that pierced like daggers.
Next to her was Sahed, a young man from Yemen who was considered a nomad. He wore a brown cloak that shrouded his curved saif made of Damascus steel. Yet, his most striking feature was a diagonal scar that had blinded his right eye.
Finally, there was the man out of time, a mute gunslinger whose body held more revolvers than you could count with your hands. In the typical Wild West attire, no one knew his real name so they simply referred to him as Mr. Walker.
Eyeing the room, Sir Iceman began to address them. "Well it appears we're the only ones who can amount any kind of offensive. Today's opponent is the Sun King Ernesto Juarez. Now the goal isn't to kill him. Such an endeavor would be impossible so remove any thought of it from your mind. Our job is simply to suppress him long enough to buy Cecilia time to contact our King. Unfortunately, the King appears to have brought an army so our primary goal is to quickly neutralize this force with the utmost impunity. During this operation, you must avoid attacking the Campione. Attacking him alone would be suicide."
"Our only shot to push him back is if we keep our heads clear and work together. Is that understood?" Sir Iceman asked.
Mowliid raised his hand. "What if by some miracle, we get a lucky shot and take him out?"
Sir Iceman turned to face him with a dark expression. "Then you better hope he stays dead."
"Now our primary concern is his army. I would guess a force of approximately 50 soldiers. This is our plan. First, we attack the army, breaking their ranks and we take them out in groups. The idea is to divide and conquer. Make sure to keep an eye on the Campione for I daresay he'll become enraged and will target you or any one of us."
"Once the army is taken care of, we move onto our primary objective: suppressing the Campione. We'll have Mowliid and Mr. Walker providing long distance cover fire while Aarush and Grigori serve as mid-range distractions. If you can incinerate him or drop a whole building on him, by all means do so."
"Sai, Sahed and I will fight close range. Remember, engage him at swords length. Don't get cocky!" He warned. "Any closer could not only spell your end if he gets you but will make it difficult for the rest of us to either save or redirect our attacks."
"We'll be doing hit and run, hitting hard and fast and falling back for our support to take over. Is that understood?!" Sir Iceman barked. Everyone nodded.
"Right, one last thing. Don't die…let's move out." He ordered.
The sun had begun to set a blood red. On the foregrounds to one side stood the Sun King and his army. To the other, stood the Royal Arsenal's last hope for survival, seven great warriors.
"So these are the ones who remain noncompliant. I must admire your spirit. It was that very same defiance against such insurmountable odds that I slew a god."
They said nothing, only stared at their targets who instead of armor and weapons, were dressed lightly and in black, like ninjas.
"Ah I see you wish to take on my army…unfortunately.." He threw a series of gems in the air and crushed another against his chest. A magical barrier suddenly formed! Like a stone dome of see through gold, the warriors were trapped!
"Your opponent is me." As the barrier crashed into existence, the Sun King's army proceeded with blinding speed towards the main compound.
"Now the only way out of this magical prison is by beating me…So come! Show me the power of the Black Prince's subjects!"
BAM! No sooner had the Sun King finished speaking that Mr. Walker had his pistol drawn. The Sun King skidded sideways with his Haste spell. "That was close!" He thought.
Before he could even look at the assailant, two others were already upon him, swords drawn.
"Haste squared!" He shoot out sideways towards them, dodging the first blade and summoning his Maquahuitl, deflected the second. Yet he felt…a sudden heat? Flames were rushing at him!
"Haste cubed!" He chanted.
Feeling a huge weight press against his heart, he quickly leaped up and away, only to see a huge chip of concrete hurtling his way.
"Oh for goodness sakes!" He commented with an exasperated look. He swung himself like a top, smacking away the concrete fragment.
Landing away from the fighters, he heard the sound of a chain quickly clacking. Turning around now fully annoyed, he turned to see what had made the sound.
"Ah."
The fighter's submachine gun sprayed bullets as his allies jumped away. Seeing the bullets rocketing towards him, the Sun King declared, "Enough of this…"
With the pressure on his heart growing steadily, he extended his arm and summoned lightning from his fingertips, vaporizing the bullets.
Taking a breather, he deactivated the Haste spell. "I apologize but I'll be taking back the initiative." He affirmed.
As he saw the fighters disappear and the gun wielders fire, his eyes glowed gold. He rapidly fired lightning in all directions.
BOOM! PLASH! CRACK! The bullets exploded with Sai and Sahed leaping backwards, trying to absorb the lightning with their swords.
Thinking he had repelled them, he felt the ground begin to shake!
Punching the ground, the strongman had made a sizeable tremor and caused the ground beneath the Sun King to collapse. The fire mage wasted no time, unleashing a scorching inferno into the newly created crater. The Sun King's eyes narrowed as his eyes reflected the white hot light that began to engulf him.
As soon as they saw the Sun King lose footing, Mowliid and Mr. Walker proceeded to fire into the hole. They saw a silhouette become enwrapped by the flames.
As the flames died down and they saw a smoking crater, Mowliid, Sahed, and Grigori cheered.
Everyone else stayed quiet.
Sir Iceman had not even moved from his initial place. "We don't know if we actually got him so don't let your guard down." He ordered.
But his warning fell on deaf ears as the three continued to cheer.
"Didn't you see it? We got him! We got him!"
Yet despite the hope they spoke of, Aarush, Mr. Walker and Sai stared intently at the smoke.
*UFF* Aarush let out. His expression wide-eyed in surprise.
"I didn't like that fire of yours. It hurt." The Campione growled as he put away a bottle and Aarush's body slumped to the ground.
As Mr. Walker and Mowliid raised their guns, the Sun King appeared at blinding speed behind the cowboy.
"Speaking of fire…" A quick chop to the neck drained Mr. Walker of consciousness.
As Mowliid fired, he saw the Sun King effortlessly dodge his bullets until finally he too fell to a blow to the temple.
He turned to face the remaining warriors.
"You there! Strongman! Collect their bodies lest they be destroyed in the conclusion of this battle!" He demanded.
Grigori turned to look at Sir Iceman for instruction and with a nod, he walked over to pick up his comrades who were rendered out cold.
Turning to face the swordsmen, the Sun King spoke "Now I have grown tired of your efforts to keep me from my objective. The Royal Arsenal will fall!"
"Truly, you are like other Campiones." Sir Iceman responded. He continued, "Then if we cannot delay its destruction, we will do all we can to bring about yours Oh King"
He took a bow. "Allow my compatriots and I to fully entertain you." Extending his arms in front of him with palms forward he chanted. "Woe is the world, a frigid sea. From where the greatest of monsters lurks the depths. Aid me with but a piece, so my enemies can take their final breath."
An icy wind erupted as a column of ice began to emerge in front of Sir Iceman. As the ice cracked and grew, the Sun King walked back to the crater, eyeing the ritual.
"Arise from the primordial abyss, oh noise, oh tumult, oh arrogance! Assure me victory despite its cost! Reveal yourself, Rahab's Frost!"
The ice pillar exploded, sending shards of icicles at the Sun King who countered with his lightning as a shard slashed his thigh.
Reaching out, Sir Iceman grabbed the blade of glowing ice that shimmered with snowflakes and ice crystals with each swing.
He looked at the Campione who smiled, oblivious to the bit of frost slowly creeping from his wound.
"Let us begin!" He beamed.
"Now!" Sir Iceman yelled.
What was this?! Looking up, Sahed was immediately upon the Sun King!
The Campione had become enraptured by the display of magic that he disregarded the actions of the other warriors. Sahed had leaped as the ice broke and was mere inches away from his target, too close for him to retreat back!
As the blade neared his neck, the Campione activated his Haste spell but the frost had spread, rendering his leg almost immobile!
For the first time in the fight, the Sun King was left wide-eyed and shocked. Yet, as he quickly moved to deflect the blade, he heard the rushing sound of steel speeding from behind.
Sahed and Sai had successfully trapped the Campione. But what happened next left Sir Iceman dumbfounded.
The Sun King had flung the Maquahuitl sideways across his body at high speed to disarm Sahed as Sai's blade pierced his chest from behind. Instead of pain, he gritted his teeth and roared! The madman grabbed Sahed as Sai plunged her blade towards the hilt. He quickly reached behind him and took hold of her as well. As he held on to his now bewildered prey, his eyes lit up and he sent shocks of electricity through both of them, knocking them out cold.
Yet the two sword masters had done enough. The barrier around them was evaporating.
The Sun King, haggard and in pain, re-summoned his Maquahuitl and placing it over the tip of the blade with both arms, he pushed it against his chest, shoving the blade out. Bleeding profusely and breathing irregularly, he looked at the final adversary in front of him.
"Well, I have to commend you for being able to gain such an upper hand on me. Showing mercy is always a difficult game." He choked out.
Keeping his sword pointed towards his foe, Sir Iceman asked, "So you showed us mercy? That explains why you held back. But surely you have more authorities that would've easily incapacitated us. Why did you not use them?"
The Sun King smiled. "Ah quite observant aren't we? Well you see… its all part of the plan. And now, I need to get rid of you so the final act can begin."
"King, in your state and with the burden of mercy, I would ask that you give up your mission. For you won't be able to stay merciful for what will come and neither will I." Sir Iceman replied as he positioned himself to rush at the Campione.
"Ahhh well you forget one important thing…" The Sun King gave a twisted grin as his hair began to stand with static charge building. "That as a Campione, I am fool in three senses of the word."
Lightning began to ripple across his body and lash out at the ground and air.
"I am foolish in that I lack what normal people would deem good judgment, opposing the gods through pure will, luck and insanity." Electricity began to violently rip around, heating the air and ground. "I am foolish in that I delight in battles that bring me towards the brink of destruction." The air began to crack as lightning viciously started to reach out.
Sir Iceman gazed at the enormous power building in front of him. That despite the wounds and immobility, this man still wanted to fight, still wanted to win. He looked into the eyes, but there were no eyes. What he saw was a fire that seemed to encapsulate the man's very soul. Mesmerized by what he saw, he heard his voice reach out to wake him. "And the last meaning…"
*SWICK* Sir Iceman's eyes widened as his hands let the sword slip from his grasp. His body began to become rigid. Stiffly reaching the back of his neck, he felt a long dart. His eyes became heavy, his head began to sway and with a final glimpse he saw the Sun King, now calm with a smile.
"…to fool, to simply trick…"
And then everything went black.
"Thank you Penumbra. Without the barrier, he could have easily escaped. In my state, it would have been impossible to catch him."
The man bowed and replied. "I help my lord in any way he needs. What are your orders my King?"
Ernesto glanced down at the slump body of Sir Iceman and spoke. "Take him with us. We'll need him down the line."
"You dare take him as a spoil of war?!" Roared the strongman.
"Restrain yourself strongman." The Sun King recommended. "You'll be unable to protect yourself, let alone your unconscious comrades if you try to attack us."
Hearing this, the strongman stopped and gritted his teeth, knowing that the Sun King spoke truth.
Ernesto closed his eyes. He began to concentrate on his Lightning authority. Why had he come? What was his true reason? The answers appeared in his mind, logical and calm but they became corrupted by another feeling: anger.
Opening his eyes, his scowled. "Tsk, it won't work. Cursed restriction." Turning his gaze towards the building, he asked. "Has all been accomplished?"
"Yes My Lord." The Penumbra answered.
"Good. Now…" raising his voice so the last warrior could also hear. "If you don't wish to be utterly obliterated, I suggest you get as far away from here as possible in the next three minutes."
"But My Lord!" the Penumbra whispered hastily as he saw the deep wound that had been slightly cauterized by the lightning and the growing frost on his left leg. "You are not in any condition to destroy the Royal Arsenal!"
Ernesto smiled. "Ahh that's where you're wrong my dear Penumbra. I always have a plan B."
A fearful look overtook the Penumbra. "You don't mean…?"
Ernesto nodded. "I will need you to retrieve me after it is over. Do you understand?"
He affirmed. "Yes My Lord, it shall be done."
Clapping his hands together, Ernesto boomed. "Very well! Everyone….RUN!"
The Penumbra became a black blur as he raced off with Sir Iceman's motionless body.
The strongman lugged his remaining comrades on his shoulders and shot out towards the forest.
Ernesto limped towards the Royal Arsenal.
*sigh* "Everything always has to be done the hard way." He murmured. "Haste cubed!" The familiar weight burdened his heart but with his only good leg, shot up to the roof of the Royal Arsenal. Yet despite his care while landing, he slipped and landed hard on the roof.
*Uff* "…I'm glad no one saw that." Using his Maquahuitl as aid, he stood up. Dismissing his weapon, he closed his eyes.
Electricity began to flow across his body then over the roof of the building. He willed it to grow and soon the entirety of the top of Royal Arsenal was flowing with electrical sparks.
*HUUUUUUUUURRRR* Yelling, lightning began to strike the building randomly, exploding chunks of debris in the air.
{More. I need more} He thought. The lightning quickened, causing more destruction until finally, they began to hit Ernesto!
Lightning surged through and over his body. The sound was deafening. The pressure kept on building like a dam about to overflow. The sky lit up like an electrical cradle with Ernesto at its center and he finally opened his eyes and roared.
*RAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH* With a quick flash, his body disappeared.
The clouds swirled above the Royal Arsenal and then a huge beam of blinding lightning crashed down, obliterating the building in all directions.
As the smoke settled, the Sun King laid splayed against the burned crater.
"Do not worry My Lord, I shall take you to safety. The plan has worked to perfection."
Groaning, he muttered. "I need a drink…" And his sight went black.