Chapter 65 – The Sword Shattered
Nighttime darkness surrounded Flik as he picked his way through the trees, leading his team to their appointed position. Behind him, lights blazed from the walls and windows of Dunan Castle. Soldiers lined the walls, all in an attempt to deceive Luca Blight. As the trees finally obscured the city lights, Flik paused to let his eyes adjust to the softer light of the waning Blue Moon.
He took a deep breath and tried not to fret about the upcoming battle, or his team's composition. As soon as word of the plan had spread throughout the castle, he, Viktor, and Riou had been inundated by enthusiastic volunteers. Flik selected Hix and Tengaar almost immediately. Hix was a trained warrior that he trusted and Tengaar had an earth rune to support them. Moreover, he knew that the two of them couldn't be separated in battle.
Flik's next selection had come as something of a surprise. Regretfully, he'd permitted Viktor to choose Humphrey and Futch. He'd been looking for another strong sword to back him up when Rikimaru offered to fight alongside him. When Flik asked why, the giant swordsman merely laughed and answered, "Seems like all I've been doing around here is sitting on my ass and eating rice. I want to do something to pay back the kindness I've received. Besides, now you'll finally get to see my Onimaru in action."
If Rikimaru had been a surprise, the next volunteer came as an utter shock to Flik. Without preamble, Luc walked over and announced, "I'm joining you in this fight. You'll get slaughtered without my magic."
Flik bit back an instant rejection. "I've got plenty of my own magic, you know."
Luc sneered. "You think because you can create a bunch of petty sparks that you can compete with me? I can use the wind to pull the living breath out of their bodies. I can crush their bones down to dust under its force or fashion it into a blade sharper than any a smith could forge. You should be grateful I'm coming with you."
Flik was grateful, but he wasn't going to tell Luc that. When Luc joined, Flik had been reasonably satisfied with the make up of his team. Most of the remaining volunteers were clustering around Riou, wanting to join their leader for the final battle. Flik had chuckled to see the number of young women who were in that crowd. However, one of those girls wasn't interested in Riou at all.
"Sir Flik, I want to go with you in this battle." This young woman was Nina, for once not throwing herself directly at his arms or trying to steal an article of his clothing.
Flik's instinct was to refuse, but he didn't. Her demeanor was serious, serious enough to follow him out into the battle even against orders. Instead, he asked, "Are you trained with a weapon? How would you help us?"
She held out her right hand, revealing the blue sparkle of a water rune. "I got this…after we spoke on the tower. I've never borne a rune before, but I've been practicing with it nonstop. I want to help you, Flik. Don't turn me away."
The logical, rational part of his mind still wanted to refuse. A poorly trained mage would be of little use in a battle. Luc was sneering openly and Tengaar looked dubious, but Nina's obvious determination swayed Flik's soul. "Will you follow my orders exactly? If I tell you to stay back, will you? If I command you to run away, leaving me behind, will you?"
Nina shook, blinking back tears. "You wouldn't actually do that, would you?"
Flik put harshness into his tone. "War is like that, Nina. I have to have confidence that you'll follow my orders without my having to check up on you. I have to be able to trust you. It's the only way that we'll achieve victory."
She blinked once more, then met his gaze evenly. "I promise to follow your orders, Flik, but please don't command me to stay behind."
"I won't. Just don't try to go face-to-face with one of the enemy soldiers," Flik answered. "Stay behind me and look for an opportunity to use your magic in support or healing."
"Thank you, sir Flik!" Nina shouted, finally throwing herself at him.
That had been how Flik had selected his team. He was glad for the darkness now, so that no one could see him blush. His choices had hardly been objective, based on careful deliberation. Of course, he hadn't had the time for that kind of planning. After the selections had been a whirlwind of preparations: going over the approach routes, coordinating with the other assault elements, and requisitioning proper armor for Nina.
The very last thing he'd done was to acquire a new shield for himself. The new shield had an earth rune embedded on the face. Hans, in charge of the army's armor, promised that no one, not even Luca Blight, would be able to destroy this shield.
Flik adjusted it on his back, trying to get used to how its weight was distributed, and ducked under a tree branch. In a low voice he called back for the others to be careful and continued on. He tried to move quietly through the cool air, over ground that was already wet with dew. If he strained he could hear the other teams, though he couldn't see any of them. Over to his right, Shiro and Kinnison would be leading a squad of archers into a position behind Flik. Somewhere to the left was Viktor, and beyond him was Riou. There were others as well, squads to block off escape routes and scouts to warn of any change in the Highland movements.
Finally Flik and his team arrived at their starting position, the south end of an oval-shaped clearing. It wasn't very large, a hundred feet long and thirty wide, but it was enough to break the canopy and admit the moonlight. Flik and the others hunkered down in the tall grass at the edge of the tree line and waited. Kinnison's archers filtered in behind them.
For a long time, nothing happened. All Flik could hear was the droning of cicadas and the occasional shuffle of his teammates. At one point, he whispered, "Steady, steady," more for his own benefit than anyone else's. His vision narrowed, focused on the east end of the clearing, where the Highlanders were expected to emerge.
He'd almost gone into a trance when the noise from the insects suddenly stopped. He started, shook his head, and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nina must've noted the movement, for she whispered, "What's going on? Is it time?"
Rikimaru answered, "Hush. You'll see. Any minute now you'll see them."
His words were correct. There was light in the trees at the east edge of the clearing and then a column of Highland soldiers bearing torches marched into the clearing. It took Flik a second to register the white plumes on their helmets. These were the White Wolves, the soldiers under Luca Blight's personal command. His anticipation mounting, Flik ducked lower in the grass, waiting for the king of Highland himself.
The soldiers were moving briskly and didn't stop to sweep the clearing, but marched on. Flik didn't try to count the column's numbers. He mentally replayed the plan in his head, ignoring the sweat on the back of his neck.
Luca appeared then, riding into the clearing on the same black horse that he'd dueled Viktor and Flik from. A plumed officer was riding alongside him, and Flik could hear their conversation as they approached.
"Lord king, I beg of you, if you must come along with us, I entreat that you remain further back. There's no need for you to come this far forward."
Flik could hear Luca's snarl. "You want me to cower back there? I'm no coward!" His voice became shrill, manic. His eyes were wide. "I'm no coward! I'll show you! I'll kill them all! All of them, the pigs! I'm not afraid of anything! No one will stop me!"
"Of course, my lord, but there is always the possibility of an ambush. Surely you've noted how the enemy seems to be targeting you personally? It would be a grievous blow to our kingdom if you were wounded or-"
"Do you think any of the pigs could touch me!" Luca shouted. "Look at them! Look at them!" He reined to a halt in the center of the clearing, right in front of Flik's team, and gestured into the night sky, waving his hand to the northwest. "Do you see that light? Those are the torches of Dunan Castle! They aren't brave enough to face me, not now! They're in there trying to figure out how to escape. I'll kill them all!"
Off to Flik's right, distantly, the forest erupted into the sounds of combat. He flexed his fingers around the hilt of his sword and tried to regulate his breathing. The column of Highland soldiers abruptly came to a halt as a messenger pounded up to Luca Blight.
"Commander, the advance scouts are under attack by the New State Army. It's an ambush!"
The officer, a panicked look on his face, turned to Luca Blight. "My king, you must fall back now. The plan has been discovered."
Luca, surprisingly, took the news calmly. "So, it appears that someone over there has some balls. Press forward, fan out and try to find the flanks of the enemy positions. Keep attacking and they will break."
The messenger ran off, and the front part of the column began to move. Before that had progressed very far, another messenger ran up from the east. "My lord, an attack against the rear of the column! They've cut us off from the rest of the army!"
Luca Blight's answer came in a subdued voice. His eyes were closed; his face was almost contemplative. "Those sneaky bastards. How did they know?"
The officer at his side was not nearly as calm. "What do we do, my king? They've attacked us on both sides."
Luca's voice began to rise in both pitch and volume, though he seemed to be speaking only to himself. "The damn cowards. They're always like this. Just like that time…that time…Mother!" He stopped and looked around as if realizing where he was, then screamed in rage, "You can't do anything right, you worthless fools! You let her die! Kill them! Kill them all! Attack!"
"Loose arrows!"
Luca's horse reared, and a flight of arrows passed over Flik's head, striking the confused Highlanders. The officer that had been speaking with Luca took three in the back and toppled off his horse, leaving the king of Highland looking dumbstruck.
"My liege," one of the soldiers shouted, running towards the king, "you must get out of here!"
More arrows streaked through the air, metal tips glinting in the torchlight. Highland soldiers went down, wounded and killed, but Flik was watching Luca Blight. Several arrows hit his horse, and both he and his beast collapsed to the ground. Flik drew his sword, rising up out of the high grass, and began to run.
"Forward! Follow me!"
The Highlanders were in disarray. Legs pumping, Flik hurdled a fallen soldier, then smashed a wounded man aside with a slash. Luca Blight was rising up from behind his horse, shaken, but apparently unharmed. With his sword in hand, he turned and met Flik's gaze.
"Luca Blight, I will take your head!" Flik shouted.
Luca casually stepped over the corpse of his horse, bringing his sword up. "Foolish braggart! What can a bunch of weak cowards do against me?" A jet of flame suddenly raced along the length of Luca's sword, snapping and sizzling in the cool night air.
Flik's mind recoiled from the flame, but his instincts were carrying him onward. He caught Luca's first slash across his new shield, wincing as sparks splashed over the edges, burning pinpricks on his arm and face. Hix and Rikimaru arrived, three blades to Luca's one. Luca's blade cut a fiery gash through the air, forcing all of them back.
Highland soldiers were rushing in to join the fight now, but Flik kept his ground, facing Luca Blight. He felt the wind rush by him, slamming into several of the approaching enemies like thrown rocks. It also curled the flames on Luca's sword, magnifying that menace.
Flik tried his lightning rune, but Luca Blight didn't seem to notice the electricity striking his armor. The king of Highland lunged forward, cackling madly, and cut another arc of flame. Flik flinched away, feeling the searing heat against his cheek. Peripherally, he saw Luca's backstroke catch Hix in the stomach. The youth went down, and Tengaar screamed desperately.
Flik had to push aside his own concerns and continued to face Luca. He jabbed with his own sword, the blade screeching as it drove along the armor of Luca's arm. Luca snarled and brought his flaming brand back, but Flik ducked under the strike, came up nearly face to face with his opponent, and called for another thunderbolt.
The flash from that attack blinded Flik, the crash deafening in his ears. He felt himself stagger back and remembered to bring up his shield to ward off the counterattack. It didn't come.
When his vision returned, he saw Rikimaru standing before him, driving back Highland soldiers with wide sweeps of his huge sword. One enemy was caught on the blade and lifted into the air. Blades of wind flashed by Flik, cutting down a pair of Highlanders that tried to duck inside the length of the sword. Nearby, Tengaar and Nina were hovering over Hix, who'd managed to pull himself to a sitting position. His armor had been parted and he had a nasty burn running along his left arm, but he was otherwise unharmed.
"Where's Luca Blight?" Flik shouted, searching feverishly for his target.
"You hit him good," Rikimaru answered, working his sword back and forth. "Some of his guys pulled him back; they're heading for Viktor's position."
Without thought, Flik started running. "Stay here!" he commanded. "Look after Hix! I'm going to chase down Luca Blight! Viktor might need me!"
He raced out beyond the protection of Rikimaru's sword, throwing sparking balls of electricity into the Highlanders in the shadows. He ran in on the heels of the last orb, slashing and jabbing ferociously, not so much to kill, but to make them move aside. Beyond the ring of enemies, Flik found himself back under the trees, but not in darkness. Flames were already snapping at the underbrush and the dry leaves, and distantly he could see the raging brand of Luca Blight.
Flik plunged into a confused melee of friends and foes. His boots crunched on a circle of magical frost, then he joined Valeria, Kasumi, and Sheena in fighting a large group of Highland soldiers. More enemies were slipping around behind them when the whole forest suddenly shook. Flik had time to look up before he saw something giant and furry roll out of the shadows, making the trees shiver when it hit them.
He dove aside as it bowled into the fight, crushing several enemies into the turf. In an instant it was gone, snapping the trees further down the slope. Two girls and a robot barrel followed in the wake of that destruction.
"Go Bonaparte! Go!" Millie shouted, seemingly oblivious to the danger.
"Mistress Meg, I calculate a ratio of four to one against us," Gadget intoned somberly. "Switching to attack pattern three."
Flik shook his head as they disappeared, but he didn't go after them. Bonaparte's intrusion had created a gap in the enemy lines. Flik lunged through it, leaving the battle behind to chase Luca Blight. Again in the darkness, he nearly lost his footing as he stumbled into more fallen soldiers, then nearly collided into another one. The two combatants sprang apart before Flik realized that this was Humphrey.
"What happened?" Flik asked.
"That way." Humphrey pointed into the distance. As Flik looked, four Highlanders came running out of the forest. "I've got them," Humphrey declared. "You go after Luca Blight. That's where Viktor went."
"Thanks," Flik answered. He let Humphrey lead the charge at the enemies and sprinted as Humphrey's sword crunched into the first of them. Flik bashed one soldier aside with his shield and was in the clear, running through the shadowy forms of trees lit by fires from Luca's sword. Branches and leaves whacked at him. Flik burst through the foliage into the midst of a group of Highland soldiers.
Without trying to confirm their numbers, Flik thrust at the closest, catching him in the ribs. Spearpoints danced before Flik's eyes, and he swung his shield out to block. Iron pounded against his guard, forcing him back. There were more enemies than he'd anticipated, seven at least. He lashed out with lightning, but a thrown spear caused him to duck aside, and his aim was off, the bolt flashing harmlessly into the night.
The Highlanders kept the pressure on Flik, three of them harrying him while the others formed up to make a rush. Then a pair of men crashed out of the trees behind Flik. One in red, one in blue, their swords drawn, they struck at the soldiers nearest to him. The one remaining enemy in front of Flik wavered and gave ground, backing up to join the others.
"Thank you, Camus, Miklotov," Flik said, feeling lightheaded from exertion.
Camus pointed his blade at the Highlanders. "Come on, if we attack this rabble together, we can put them to rout."
Flik looked up at the five enemy soldiers. Though they'd been surprised by the arrival of the two Matilda Knights, the shock had now worn off, and they were preparing to attack again. Taking a deep breath, Flik answered, "Okay."
"For all those who were slaughtered at Muse!" Miklotov shouted. "Charge!"
The three men barreled down on the Highlanders, swords stabbing, slashing, and blocking. Flik parried one spearhead, turned as Miklotov engaged the man, and slashed at a Highlander trying to sneak inside of Camus' guard. Flik nearly found himself laughing. The three of them had no plan, but they seemed to fight as if guided by one mind. They combined against one unfortunate Highlander, then split, driving the remainder into two groups. When the three of them had slain two of the remaining four, the survivors wisely fled back into the darkness.
"I'm heading for Riou," Flik shouted.
Camus nodded. "We'll cover you. You go and help Riou finish this."
"I saw Viktor ahead of us," Miklotov added. "He's looking for Riou, too."
Flik sprinted forward, using his sword and shield to knock branches out of his way. The ground lurched from an explosion, nearly making him slip, but he gathered himself and ran on. Someone to the side was throwing fireballs furiously, light streaking through the black trunks of trees.
Then a greater light overwhelmed that, a dome of white power that could only come from one source. Flik angled towards the sign of the Bright Shield. The white light disappeared back into the darkness, leaving him blind. He clipped a tree, spun about, and ran hard into another person. The collision sent Flik sprawling onto the forest floor. He rolled and came up, sword and shield ready.
"Wait, Flik! It's me!" Viktor shouted.
It was, though Flik could see little more than a blurry outline. "Sorry about that. The light killed my night vision."
"He's just ahead," Viktor replied. "Come on, we've got to help Riou!"
Flik struggled on, keeping pace by focusing on the silhouette of his friend as they ran towards the sound of fighting. They were approaching another break in the trees when the noise abruptly stopped. Had Riou finished the job? Had Luca Blight won instead?
The forest gave way to another clearing, and Flik finally had a good view of the battlefield. To his great relief, he saw that Riou was alive, helping his sister up into a standing position. All of Riou's companions appeared to be alive too. Eilie was hovering near Riou, and Gengen was leaning over his sword and panting. Freed had taken off his glasses to wipe the sweat from them, and Wakaba was inspecting a broken wrist guard.
"Where's Luca Blight?" Viktor shouted, running towards Riou. This caused Riou's protectors to jump in alarm before they realized who was doing the yelling.
Riou finished pulling Nanami to her feet before he turned to answer Viktor. "He's heading for the final ambush. Shu will have the signal and the archers ready."
Viktor shook his head. "You've got to go after him, Riou! What if he manages to break through Shu's trap? We can't let him get away, not after we've come so far! We won't get another chance like this." Flik would've added his own comment, but he was too busy trying to catch his breath to do more than stand in awe of his friend's lungs.
Riou nodded. "I just wanted to make sure that everyone was all right, first."
"There's no time for that!" Viktor countered. "There's only one goal right now - hunt Luca Blight down and kill him. Everything else is secondary!"
Flik was startled by the vehemence of that statement. Still, Viktor had suffered terribly in this war. There was no doubt that he wanted it finished by the quickest means possible.
Riou held Viktor's gaze. "Right. I'm going after Luca Blight. The rest of you keep up as you can."
"I'm not staying behind!" Nanami shouted.
"Then let's go," Viktor added and began running.
The chase was on again, Riou and Nanami holding a slight lead over Viktor and Flik. Flik could hear the others following behind, but gradually the four of them outpaced their allies. However, there appeared to be an obstacle ahead.
One man was confronting a group of Highland soldiers. At first, Flik wasn't sure who this reckless warrior was, but it became apparent when he heard his voice.
"Tremble, fools, before the almighty power of the Fire Dragon Rune! Your end is nigh, for I shall burn all of you to ash."
For once, the Highlanders did turn and run, but that was because Viktor was yelling "Charge!" at the top of his lungs. Flik could clearly see Zamza's confused expression as first Riou and then Nanami sprinted by him. Viktor didn't even notice when he clipped Zamza's shoulder, causing the mage to spin to the ground. Flik, bringing up the rear, hurdled over the prone form and didn't look back.
He did hear Zamza's plaintive cry. "Come back! You ruined my big moment! I was going to show everyone my power! I was finally going to get enough respect to get a room!" Then Zamza was out of mind, for up ahead he could see the soldiers of Highland regrouping, and with them, Luca Blight.
"We've caught you!" Viktor roared. "We'll finish you here!"
Luca Blight's sword had been extinguished, but his pride was not. "Finished, you say? What are you thinking, maggot? All I hear are the squeals of a pig about to be slaughtered!"
A line of soldiers interposed themselves between their king and the attackers. Viktor, Flik, and Riou plunged right at the wall, metal clashing and clanging in the darkness. Flik aimed a bolt of shining electricity at Luca Blight, only to see it intercepted by one of the White Wolves. He didn't get the chance to fire a second, but had to deal with the soldier in front of him.
Using both ferocity and training, he locked blades with the opponent, shield bashed another, and slipped his sword in a tight circle, disarming the first. He dispatched that man with a quick thrust to the neck and turned to face the second. Slashing and jabbing, he forced the soldier back, off balance and stabbed him in the thigh.
More soldiers were pressing in, trying to protect their king. One of them grabbed him by the arm and shouted, "My liege, you must get back! Please, escape!"
Luca glowered fiercely at Riou, separated only by the space of a few feet. "Follow me if you dare! I have the power to take your life, boy!"
"We're not done yet!" Riou answered as more Highland soldiers pushed in. He raised his right hand, and Flik quickly averted his eyes, knowing what was coming. Even with his eyes closed, he could see the intense, painful burst of light from the Bright Shield Rune. The soldiers in front of them started screaming. Flik could hear them fleeing from the power of the Rune.
When the light winked out, Riou was off and running again. Viktor, Flik and Nanami chased after him, running as hard as they could, but none of them caught up. The trees were thinning out, the forest giving way to an open field and a cliff overlooking Lake Dunan. There was a single tree at the edge of the cliff, and Flik could see the last signal, the intermittent glow of released fireflies.
Nanami shrieked, and Flik heard her hit the ground behind him. He and Viktor turned back to find her sitting up, rubbing at her ankle. "It hurts," she whimpered. "Please, don't leave me behind. I need to be by Riou's side. Please."
Viktor knelt down. "All right. Here, climb up on my back. I'll get you the rest of the way."
When Nanami got a secure grip, they started sprinting again, but Flik knew they were too late. As they broke free of the tree line, he could clearly see Riou confronting Luca Blight by the tree. Though the King of Highland had been struck by many arrows and there was blood staining his silver armor, he was still standing, still grasping his sword. Flik could clearly hear the words Luca Blight spoke to Riou, filled with seething hatred.
"Why do you interfere with my holy war? This world must suffer as I have suffered. It is only just!"
"Riou!" Flik shouted, stretching out his stride.
Riou held his tonfar ready. Luca Blight took a stride forward, sword on point, voice harsh as he spoke. "You scum, I will kill you! Here I come…Riou!"
Flik could hardly watch. His legs seemed to move in slow motion as the duel unfolded. Luca Blight slashed hard at Riou, his sword sparking against the metal tips of the tonfar. Again Luca struck, and again Riou absorbed the impact on his weapons. Luca reared back for another overhead strike, screamed maniacally, and swung down. Riou moved then, stepping forward and driving upwards with his tonfar, steel meeting steel. Nanami screamed.
The sword shattered against Riou's guard, the blade snapping into pieces.
Riou's counter came instantly, striking once, twice, and a third time against Luca Blight's silver breastplate. On the third impact this too shattered into pieces. Riou's fourth attack crunched into Luca Blight's unprotected sternum. Flik could clearly hear the sound of bones breaking. The King of Highland staggered back, collapsing against the lone tree.
Suddenly, Viktor and Flik had arrived, just as everything was finished. With a cry, Nanami flung herself off of Viktor, wrapping Riou into a hug that nearly knocked him over and did make him drop his tonfar. Flik stood back a little, looking at Viktor, trying to process the reality of the situation. He almost didn't hear Luca Blight's grunt as he used the tree trunk to lever himself back into a standing position.
"You've broken the sword. It seems that my power was not enough…not enough to stand up to the decrees of the gods." He coughed, blood trickling down his mouth. "Why do you fight? Why do you wish to hurt me even more?"
Riou was still in Nanami's hug. He shifted slightly to look Luca directly in the eyes. "I wish to end this war. I wish to bring peace to this land."
Luca gave a harsh bark of a laugh. "To bring peace to this land? That is nothing but a child's fantasy! What do you know of the hatreds that make us fight? What do you know of jealousy? Of anger? Of rage? Of vengeance? At your age, I'd already hunted down the men who violated my mother." His eyes narrowed. "Men from Jowston. I made them suffer before they died, and I enjoyed making them suffer. What can you do against such hatreds, Riou?"
Luca's body began convulsing, and Flik thought they were death spasms before he realized that the King of Highland was suppressing laughter. "Excellent! Excellent! The hunger that gnawed at my body! The thirst that scorched my flesh! All is disappearing!" He broke down in maniacal laughter, blood oozing out of his mouth. He steadied himself once more, all trace of the mania gone, and addressed Riou through clenched teeth.
"Listen Riou, and understand the power of my hatred. It took hundreds to kill me, but I killed humans by the tens of thousands! Look at me, Riou. They will speak my name in fear, forever. I am sublime! I am perfection! I am the true face of evil!"
"You are nothing," Riou answered calmly. "Nothing but the shell of a man who let his pain consume him. I am sorry that you refused to release your hatred. The living shall forget you and the dead shall condemn you. Goodbye, Luca Blight."
Flik wasn't sure Luca heard those words. The light had gone from his eyes, and his corpse toppled forward, first to his knees, and then face-first onto the ground.
Cheering broke out all around Flik. Suddenly New State soldiers were rushing in from everywhere, wanting to be near Riou. Flik shook his head, exhausted. "It's finally finished, isn't it? We finally won."
Viktor gave a whoop, but Nanami was staring intently at Riou. Flik was going to see if they were all right, but was caught up in the press of celebrants. Shu and Apple got to Riou before Flik could.
"Lord Riou, it is time to return to Dunan Castle," Shu said. "We have won, and there are a lot of people waiting to hear new of our victory."
That was when Flik realized that Riou had slumped in Nanami's arms, showing no signs of life.