Ymarkteg OCs 23 is now up featuring Eien as the Apothecary and as an Elder Maestro, Eyre the Falcon Knight captain of Anondye's Army, Lieutenant Nexin the Dark Knight of Numengate's Army, Teyron Sarhara's Elder Sage and two returning veterans
With this I will see you on Saturday with a massive chapter update!
Chapter Forty Four
Numengate Citadel: Part Two
"Pesh!" Lyle's blade struck against the Archduke's, the clash rung out among the men fighting to protect Golsaehr. The trench surrounding them was the physical barrier preventing soldiers of either side from interfering but there was an even larger vacant ring around the trench, no one wanted to get close.
Zey'Yu moved back to aid Vargas and Kay'Shera in containing the forces of the Midnight but continued to observe Lyle, she felt responsible if the fight didn't go the right way.
Pesh pushed away Lyle's blade and leapt aside before coming at Lyle from the side, ramming his elbow into Lyle before grabbing the swordmaster's leg with one arm and flipping him over. Lyle rolled aside as Pesh brought his blade up and impaled the ground. Leaping to his feet Lyle brought his blade up again only for it to be stopped by one of Pesh's hands. The Blade Monk spun his blade and swung fiercely as Lyle leapt away. The blade ripped across Lyle's chest and he now had another injury and was without a weapon.
Pesh stuck Lyle's blade into the ground and approached the swordmaster as he pulled a knife from his belt.
"If you can't beat me…then this was all a wasted effort, all these men died for nothing."
"What do you mean?" Lyle began pacing around as Pesh continued to walk towards him. Suddenly, Pesh shot forward, Lyle bent back to avoid the horizontal swing and tried to stab Pesh with his knife. Holding his other hand up, Lyle's knife cut through Pesh's palm as his knee struck Lyle.
Without his knife Lyle leapt away quickly but was followed by Pesh who slashed across Lyle's stomach before spinning and kicking the side of the swordmaster's head. As he fell to the ground one of his hands felt a random blade. Before he could grab it, Pesh impaled Lyle's hand with the knife, keeping it in place while stepping on his other hand.
Lyle looked up at Pesh who smiled "Get out of this…"
"He doesn't have to alone!" Zey'Yu returned, kicking Pesh away and pulling the knife out of Lyle's hand and tossing it towards Pesh who knocked it away.
As Lyle stood up he thanked her, grabbing a blade he inhaled deeply "I'll continue from here."
"He almost killed you Lyle…we are all getting out of this alright?"
Lyle closed his eyes "I can't endanger anyone else…if Pesh kills you-"
"He won't...but if he kills you…think of Soren and Mia. Despite everything I can pick up that has gone on between the three of you, there is trust." Lyle glanced at Pesh as the man rotated his arm before turning back to Zey'Yu and nodding. The pair quickly turned as Pesh shot towards them again.
Leah stood up and fiercely swung his blade at Zijo Oit who deflected the attack and slash the Trueblade across the face before leaping, bringing his knee into Leah's chin. As his head snapped back, Zijo Oit spun again and cut deep into Leah's stomach.
The Trueblade fell back near Helena and looked at To'Eltz who was on the floor and Tyse Erent who was standing slowly. "How could you…Zijo Oit…we're allies…"
"Our mission is to kill these people and take the city…at all costs."
As Tyse vomited blood he stood and angrily started attacking Zijo, as the pair began to fight amongst themselves, Helena pulled out an elixir. Leah held up his hands and pointed at To'Eltz, the Sentinel nodded and made her way over to him.
"We'll be sending in the army tomorrow…prepare for a big show to convince the people I was right…"
Meloi nodded "Very well Mistress…how many men will I sacrifice?"
"Just enough…the citizens won't see the dead bodies and I'll personally make sure with the raid force to capture as many of you as possible so we learn why you defected."
Meloi smiled, the Dune Guard had been harassing Sarhara for several months now and the climax of this act was coming. Soon the people would recognize who they should truly place their trust in.
"I'll bring you back to the people as the one who gave us inside information…you'll be welcomed back into court at a much higher position and we will effectively begin the underground wars to preserve peace."
Meloi bowed to Mistress and took his leave "I can't wait."
Two earth encased fists collided, a loud crash rang out as rubble fell all around the ground below. Janie and Meloi brought the pieces back to their arms as they continued to strike at each other. Occasionally one would hit the other in the face or the gut but more often their fists would collide.
Shinon fired an arrow at them, Meloi turned and stopped it allowing Janie to jump and strike him in the back of the head before pulling away to the ground. Where she seemed to stumble, Uhnie landed near here "You took way to many blows to the face."
Uhnie examined Janie's face as she stood "I'll be…fine…I have to…"
The assassin shook her head "There are a lot of us around, don't kill yourself." Meloi shot towards them only to be stopped by Wyre and Opstun's magic. Uhnie took Janie to treat her as Meloi caused his earth shield to explode. Wyre and Opstun jumped back as Wayu leapt into the air and drove her lance into Meloi's back. He swung around and struck her with his earth encased arm, shooting her to the ground before tearing the lance out of his back. As he tossed it aside he noticed Midnight 3 getting extremely close, killing countless guards of Numengate. He looked closely at the axe it was wielding, it left blood trails behind and caused explosions as it hit the ground.
"Helswath?"
Realizing Shinon was shooting at him, Meloi commanded his earth platform to move high into late night sky. He noticed the Anondye reinforcements mixed with the rear Midnight guard and an even larger force coming over the distant horizon.
"Versha!"
The woman leapt high into the air and landed on the platform with Meloi. "What is it?"
"See for yourself." Turning the woman smiled as the Royal Anondye Army approached, long flags streaming in the wind and drums signaling their approach.
"Finally…"
Nexin slumped against a wall; dropping his blade he clutched his arm the bled freely. He heard his men call out and scream as they were slaughtered. He got away from Midnight 8 after unleashing his magic on it but the being refused to go down.
He clenched his teeth and continued to walk through the ruined hallways, over countless bodies as he made his way deeper in, frantically searching for reinforcements.
He stopped in one room and turned "What is this…feeling…"
Sure enough a man tore through the wall at one end, flew across the room and through the opposite wall.
"He…he is heading for the King!"
"Reports have ceased my King…there are too many enemies within the Citadel…no one can reach us with any information now…"
Althropos closed his eyes "I don't want to…but…it's time to…"
Mehr nodded and led the King to the back room where they opened a secret passage. "You know the way my King…it's been in your family for countless generations…"
"Mehr, you must come with me."
"I'll do my best to stall any pursuers…as best as I can…you know where to go and who to talk to…" The advisor smiled and bowed as the King looked out a side window. The sun would begin rising soon; when it did the Citadel will be no more.
"Kill them all! We-"
Orkra hurled her axe, striking a man in the head causing him to fall over as the rest of the Troop descended on his allies and did away with them quickly.
"How much more Soren?" Orgoth asked as he pulled his lance out of a dead body.
"According to General Quaid, one floor up and we'll be right there."
Leena smiled "Then let's get a move on."
"No."
The troop turned as Kanahana landed behind them "The only thing you lot will be doing…is dying…"
"Kanahana!" Mia called as she brought up Ein'Tosen followed by the rest of the Troop, preparing their weapons.
"Soren, we don't have time for this." Eien whispered.
Soren shook his head "I can't splinter our forces any further, especially against him."
Zihark smiled "I've been with you long enough Soren; I'm fit to deal with him and seeing your allies fight I'm certain we can do away with this vampire."
Kanahana laughed and shot towards them, Leena and Zihark advanced, striking his claws with their blades as Mikel and Rhogam fired off their bows. Kanahana flew out of the arrows range and shot back down, striking Mikel and Rhogam before being hit by Soren and Eien's magic.
As he spun back and landed on the ground, Mia leapt after him and swung her blade, an arc of purple flames shot forth and burned into the ground where Kanahana was.
"Above us!" Tyazaer called as she shot her lance that the vampire knocked away. "You fools can't defeat me as I am now…"
"Right, because loosing half your face makes you stronger." Mikel stated as he fired more arrows.
Kanahana shot forward, allowing the arrows to impale him. Holding his arms out, he caught Mikel and Rhogam with such force that they flew off the ground and into the wall.
Kanahana turned as Eien fired a blue shockwave at him by swinging her arm. It struck and carried him across the ground into a pillar. Soren followed it up by pinning Kanahana there with his black flames. The Archsage recalled how he wounded Kanahana back in Pozem after witnessing Pesh and Versha's betrayal and the condition of the Troop.
"How can I replicate that?"
Kanahana screeched as he forced his way out of the flames and fell to one knee. His upper body was horribly burned but he ignored it and turned to the Troop with a smile.
"I suppose this…" he pointed at his face "…was a lucky shot, you can't seem to hurt me like this again…so I'm in a good spot."
As he extended his wings a powerful surge of electricity hit him in the side and exploded. Soren turned to see a magician wielding a blade who was greatly injured.
Quickly pulling out a physic staff, Soren healed the stranger who called out "Someone else has already gone ahead to the King!"
Soren turned to Kanahana who was on one knee "Who else is here?"
The vampire smiled "He is…the one who is behind all of this…the Master of the Midnight…who we call, The Midnight's Apothecary."
Soren turned to Mia then back at Kanahana who stood up "If someone else has already reached the King, then we've won. The war outside is pointless."
Kanahana shot into the air and through the ceiling, Mia ran over to the other mage as he neared them.
"I am Lieutenant Nexin, in service to Anondye's King alongside General Quaid, Captain Helena, Commander Vargas and the Braver Istequil…"
"What do you know about the man who is headed for the King?"
He shook his head "Not much, he flew straight through rooms and walls from what I saw…he is close…"
Rhogam cursed "Surely your King knows the status of his capital, has he escaped already?"
Nexin closed his eyes "I hope…he wouldn't want to leave any of us knowing that we'd die for him…"
"Where would he go?" Orgoth asked the lieutenant as the man coughed. Soren walked over and examined Nexin's broken arm and began treating it as he spoke.
"A secret exit lies behind the throne room…it leads to a series of tunnels through small well protected sections of the Citadel, it opens up deep underground where there is a long tunnel…as well as a Black Arkan that is treated by the most secret order…the King will ride it to the end of the tunnel to a lone farm in another city far from Golsaehr…from there he can ride to his allies on the edge of the nation to plan what to do next…"
Leena whistled "If he began leaving a short while ago, where would he be?"
"Still descending to the tunnel…"
Soren nodded "Come with us Nexin…we-"
About a dozen Midnight soldiers including Midnight 8 entered the room.
"I'd love to see if my King is well…but you all are clearly on another level…normally I wouldn't be so trusting but…the situation calls for it…give him my regards…"
Nexin spun his blade and began walking towards the Midnight "Thank you…by the way…"
Soren nodded and commanded the rest of the Troop, the group left as the Midnight's charged and Nexin swung his blade, killing one before unleashing an Arcfire and killing another.
Ushnae came to a stop after knocking down a huge door, he saw a man in a cloak holding up a blade extremely shakily.
"You aren't the King…or the person whose presence I felt…in my haste I must've lost track of them…"
The advisor took a step towards Ushnae "I'll protect my nation and my King…no matter what…"
Ushnae smiled "You are protecting a lie…everything here is a lie…"
The advisor charged Ushnae who grabbed the blade, broke it and threw it to the ground. "I don't have time to play with you."
Ushnae turned and shot out of the room as Mehr fell down, exhausted and terrified.
"I must leave now…rejoin with my King and-"
He looked up as several Midnight and a large man with one eye covered by a metal plate with red visors examined the room.
"Where is the King?"
Mehr stood and from his expression the man knew he wasn't going to say anything. Waving his hand he turned away, the archers next to him let countless arrows fly.
"Sir! We are under attack! We're being massacred!"
Meloi turned to his soldier "What? The attack wasn't until tomorrow!"
"We don't know why but the Sarharan Army is here and killing every single person they come by!"
Meloi shook his head in disbelief "We've been…betrayed…"
Quickly he organized a full retreat, they'd never survive long against the entire army, with a group of his remaining best men they exited through an earth tunnel they created several days ago.
Upon emerging in the sands above, countless arrows and magic fired on them, killing all of Meloi's men and wounding him.
With absolute rage and fury he began manipulating the sand causing men and horses to drown in it and lifting huge boulders, crushing men between them.
Meloi took the brunt of an elder magic attack from Opstun before Wyre's lightning hit him followed by explosive arrows from Gore Eye. Janie ended the combo by punching him in the chest and sending him into the wall of a home.
Wearily he tore out and turned to Mistress and Peltzm'Jakq. "You used me…to solidify your rule…"
Mistress smiled as Meloi began walking towards her.
Shinon pulled back on his bowstring as the other members of the Troop prepared their weapons. Istequil stood in front of Mistress and Peltzm'Jakq.
"Do you know who you are protecting fool!?" As Meloi raised his arms the group began their attack, his palms slammed the ground causing giant pillars to erupt around him, stopping all attacks, he shot through them over Istequil and Peltzm'Jakq. He landed in front of Mistress who smiled and held one hand up, stopping Peltzm'Jakq from interfering.
The Troop looked at each other as Wyre called out "What are you doing?"
Weary, Meloi looked at the countless men still around him, he tore what had to be the hundredth arrow out of his body and fell to one knee as Mistress and her dog approached him.
She took off her hood and kneeled in front of Meloi "My rule is ensured…thank you, Meloi."
Before he could speak her dog stepped forth and swung his blade across Meloi's face. Half of the Earth Archsage's face fell off as his body fell into the sand.
Mistress took off her hood and smiled at Meloi.
The Troop and Istequil took a step back as the woman exposed herself.
Wyre shook his head "Is that…Queen Yi'Pyre?"
Nexin looked at the dead bodies around him and tossed his blade to the ground as Midnight 8 approached. Creating a black axe the midnight lifted it and struck the head into the Dark Knight's shoulder, with more force the axe cut its way deeper into his body and forced the man onto his knees.
With the axe embedded into Nexin, Midnight 8 created a knife and knelt in front of the Dark Knight "You are like us in your honor and loyalty…but giving up your life makes you weak…"
"I'd do anything for the ones I protect…"
As Midnight 8 lunged forward, Nexin placed one hand on Midnight 8's face and screamed as he unleashed a point blank Bolganone, concentrated in his palm. It burned the Dark Knight's forearm black but melted through the Midnight's face.
The dead being fell over as Nexin's arm fell to his side. He looked at the knife in his chest and smiled as blood streamed down his chin, closing his eyes the Dark Knight fell to the ground
Zey'Yu fell back; her hand came to her face where Pesh's blade sliced across. The injury stung as Lyle landed in front of her and stopped the Blade Monk's following attack. Without pause, Zey'Yu leapt over Lyle and tried to stab Pesh.
The man stopped her knife with his palm just like he did Lyle's but she had a second at the ready and buried it into Pesh's wrist, as she twisted it, Pesh pulled away from Lyle and leapt, kicking Zey'Yu in the chest and throwing her to the ground.
As he examined his ruined hand he sighed and used his blade to cut it off.
"The blood loss is going to kill you…"
Lyle muttered as Pesh made a few test swings with his only hand. "Please tell me you don't believe that…I'd be dead ten times over if I was a normal man…I've survived much worse for a purpose you have yet to fulfill my friend."
"We aren't friends…not anymore!"
Spinning his blade Lyle shot at Pesh with renewed vigor intent on ending the battle. The blades collided fiercely as the ground beneath them felt each impact. Zey'Yu sat up as Kay'Shera landed near her "Are you alright?"
The whisper nodded "Never better…I'm more worried about Lyle, he insists on doing this alone…"
Kay'Shera helped Zey'Yu up and gave her a vulnerary "Maybe it's for the best…he doesn't-"
"Want to endanger anyone else…sure, but Soren doesn't want to lose anyone."
Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit glared at each other as To'Eltz stood weakly thanks to Helena.
"This isn't helping…" Zijo Oit stated as Tyse Erent rolled his eyes, the pair turned to Helena, To'Eltz and Leah who had his two blades at the ready.
The three were exhausted from the constant magic harassment, they weren't ready for the overwhelming black magic and the fight was in the Midnight's favor.
"Need a hand?"
Tyse Erent turned and readied his lance as a figure crashed into him and threw him to the ground. Zijo Oit turned "Who the-"
A light blasted Zijo Oit, causing him to stumble away.
Leah smiled as the two new allies stood before him.
"Cadeera…Tyse…great to see you…"
"Thank Ranulf for recruiting us." Tyse said as the enemies stood again.
"Tyse…I'd like you to meet…Tyse Erent."
The vampire turned to the man with a lance and a dark tome at his side "You are also Tyse Erent?"
The man charged the vampire who began evading his attacks as Zijo Oit slashed at Cadeera who leapt away and landed on her horse. She held her hand out "Komaru!" A blinding light flashed in front of Zijo causing him to scream and stumble away as his hands came to his face.
She rode over to Helena, To'Eltz and Leah and used her Fortify staff. "Who is this one?"
"Goes by Zijo Oit…"
Cadeera raised an eyebrow "We are fighting Tyse Erent…and Zijo Oit?"
Leah stood and tested his arms "They serve some big bads who did extensive research on Soren and Mia's past…going so far as to bring Kanahana back to life."
Tyse turned upon hearing that "What?"
To'Eltz sighed "Guessing Ranulf didn't have enough time to fill you in on everything.
Zijo turned and charged the four as Helena stepped forward "After these two are in the ground we'll have a nice chat."
Cadeera smiled "Looking forward to it!"
"The Queen of Sarhara is one of the Royal Ring that oversees the Altar?" Wayu asked no one in particular.
Meloi looked exhausted and defeated as he shook his head at her "Why?"
One of her hands jutted forward tossing a liquid in Meloi's face, he screamed and stumbled away.
"I don't talk to dead men…I thank you for your help again Meloi but I no longer need you…I have a new man…"
Meloi turned, he could barely see Peltzm'Jakq coming and cursed "Dog!"
Peltzm'Jakq rammed his blade through Meloi and twisted it as he produced a knife with his other hand. With a low murmur no one could hear he sliced Meloi's neck open and walked away as the Dune Guard leader fell dead.
Pesh and Lyle regarded each other wearily, both barely had a firm hold on their blades and were covered in dirt, blood and sweat. Their clothes were also well torn and overall they both looked like absolute messes.
"You've shown me quite a lot Lyle…"
"I have no desire to impress you Pesh…only to kill you…"
"Precisely…"
Lyle gave Pesh a questioning look but before he could say anything the man charged him and they once again began parrying with a fury that did not represent how exhausted they looked.
The each felt the occasional bite of the other's weapon but refused to stop for anything.
Vargas turned as a soldier came to him; the Wind Archsage was also watching Pesh and Lyle's battle. Upon hearing the news he flew into the air and saw the overwhelming forces of Anondye ripping through the horde of Midnight.
Kay'Shera turned upon feeling a strange breeze, she saw Vargas in the air pointing to the south end of Golsaehr. Taking Zey'Yu with her the pair saw Anondye's overwhelming army and couldn't help but smile. Zey'Yu finally let the exhausting take over and fell against Kay'Shera "It's over…"
The Roc Knight looked down at Lyle and Pesh "Almost…"
Versha turned again and sighed, frustrated she turned to face the Citadel "What is taking them so long? Kanahana and Norad Jyuugo…sure they're fuck ups but our Master is in there…I guess I have to do this myself. Midnight 3!"
The Midnight turned; tossing away a man it was crushing and allowing Versha to land on its shoulder. The pair walked past Shinon's group who were still trying to figure out what was going on.
"You are Mistress?" Wyre asked as he approached Yi'Pyre and Peltzm'Jakq followed by Wayu, Shinon, Uhnie, Janie and Istequil. Re'Zin noticed the group and disengaged from the enemies, Opstun and Teyron also saw this as well as Kino.
"Yes, I've been commanding Peltzm'Jakq and the Altar trying to keep Ymarkteg's peace."
"At the cost of innocents!" Janie called out.
"They learned of us…they'd think we're killing indiscriminately. You see, if people learn too much it introduces doubt and that is only the first step to the Warring Ages…we kill for the sake of Ymarkteg unlike The Midnight who want the Warring Age to come back…I hope you'll forgive our constant attempts on your lives."
Shinon looked at Peltzm'Jakq, as much as he wanted to capture Yi'Pyre they were in no condition to take on that man. He could tell at a glance they'd be dead far too quickly. This revelation also confirmed Kino was an enemy and that put them in a very bad place even with Opstun and Teyron here.
Shinon placed a hand on Wyre's shoulder and echoed his thoughts to the Archsage.
"If I may interrupt, the woman and the Midnight wielding Helswath have taken off for the Citadel…"
The group turned to Kino "With Anondye here, the battle will be won, we will take our leave."
The swordmaster turned to Peltzm'Jakq and Yi'Pyre who nodded and called their guard over. "We do this for peace…you will all understand soon." Yi'Pyre stated.
Zijo Oit stumbled away, Leah's blades he could keep up with but To'Eltz occasional attack and the light magic from Cadeera was overwhelming him. The man also noticed that their army was beginning to give way as the Anondye forces entered Golsaehr.
He saw the two Tyse Erents fighting, the man's lance was on the ground in pieces and he had a gaping wound in his side while the vampire remained unharmed.
"I'm not dying here…" He held his hands out forming a black ball that looked a lot like Komaru.
"Tyse!" The sentinel turned as the black ball entered his body. The group turned as Tyse Erent pointed at Zijo Oit "You fucker!"
The Trueblade vanished in a flash of black lightning as Tyse fell to his knees "Motherfucker!"
Cadeera realized what was happening and called the vampire over before taking out a ward staff "Everyone! Be-"
With a loud scream Tyse Erent exploded, unleashing a huge black wave that disintegrated everyone close to him regardless of which army they fought for. As the wave traveled it continued to kill people even without disintegrating their bodies.
Pesh and Lyle aimed their blades at one another, Pesh had one eye sealed by a cut from Lyle and a deep wound in his chest while Lyle's legs had several cuts and a very nasty gaping wound on his side. Blood seeped from both their mouths as Pesh spoke "Do you want to see…the truth?"
Lyle spat "Truth?"
"Our dying gift to those who serve us…is truth…we occasionally give this gift to others…upon their death they see…the truth."
Lyle shook his head "Bullshit."
"Think…recently…you killed a man and gave him this gift…he saw the truth…and he died happy…"
Lyle narrowed his eyes, thinking of anyone of importance he killed recently. Slowly he realized who Pesh was referring to "Ottenz."
"Yes…you literally won twice by killing him…you protected your ally Orgoth from certain death and you gave Ottenz peace of mind…in his last moments he saw Rey Oshwa alive and well as she was…"
Lyle shook his head "How do I have that gift? I don't serve you!"
"Surely you've gotten unexplained moments of nausea and sickness right?"
Lyle's eyes widened "How do you…"
"When you near people who you carry deep hatred for…well…the hate is so powerful, so deep…it sickens you…"
"Then why am I not sick now?" Lyle asked.
Pesh prepared to charge "Kill me…learn the truth…"
Lyle clenched his teeth, both men screamed as they charged towards each other.
Althropos sighed as he entered the massive tunnel; the bell to call the Arkan was close by. As he approached a section of the ceiling exploded and a group of people appeared before him. "King Althropos!"
He turned to them "Who are you?"
As they moved towards him they held up their arms to show they had no weapons at the ready.
"My name is Soren, we're here thanks to information from General Quaid and Lieutenant Nexin, and we're here to help."
Althropos sighed in relief turning back to the bell he struck it to signal the Arkan.
"Much appreciated…first things first…we have to get out of the Citadel…"
The Troop nodded, as Soren placed some to watch down the tunnel, back into the tunnel, the ceiling and even to pace the floor he turned to Althropos and was joined by Mia.
"They're all dead aren't they…?"
Mia and Soren exchanged looks before the trueblade sighed "We don't know…but…"
Althropos nodded "I understand."
The group heard a dying roar and looked down the tunnel. A man approached holding the Arkan's head above him. He tossed it aside, Soren recognized him "Norad Jyuugo!"
"That is not all…"
Mia turned to see Ushnae descend from the hole in the ceiling, he looked at each member of the Troop before him. Smiling as he pointed at Eien.
"Ushnae…"
"So you didn't die in that mess of a war outside. In fact, you came to take me up on my offer and rejoin your old friends."
Eien shook her head at Ushnae "My old friends died years ago, you are a monster weaing his face."
Ushnae nodded "No…I'm not…I'm better."
"Stop."
The Troop brought their hands to their ears as a low voice rang out. Norad Jyuugo bowed as a robed man walked past him.
Soren narrowed his eyes "You must be the Master of the Midnight…"
The man nodded "I am…The Midnight's Apothecary…"
Lyle and Pesh stood, backs to each other, the Blade Monk smiled as he fell to one knee. He felt his life slipping away and couldn't help but laugh "It's done…"
His laughs caught as his breathing stopped and he hit the ground, exploding into black smoke that rose into the air and vanished.
Lyle's eyes widened as countless visions plagued his mind; he shook his head and fell to his knees screaming.
Kay'Shera landed and jumped off Michalis "Lyle! Lyle!"
The swordmaster held one of his hands up towards Kay'Shera and screamed.
"Get away from me…please!"
Kay'Shera took a step back as he screamed and clutched the sides of his head.
"This isn't true! This isn't true! This isn't true!"
"What do you want? What do you hope to gain?" Soren asked as the Master of the Midnight took a step forward.
"I am the one who will bring the truth…to everything…to do that, I need the Orichalcum…hand it over."
The Troop pulled out their weapons as Ushnae landed next to Norad Jyuugo and the Midnight Apothecary.
"Very well…I'll give you all…truth…"
Lyle stood, the pain was intense, tears streamed down his face as he turned to Kay'Shera "Lyle…"
He picked up his sword and approached her.
"Lyle!"
He held his sword out "Take it Kay'Shera…please…"
The Roc Knight took it from his as he picked up a discarded knife.
"Tell Soren and Mia…they were my true friends…"
Kay'Shera shook her head "Lyle! Wait!"
With no hesitation, Lyle buried the knife in his chest, right through his heart.