Chapter Two of Ten

The Arrival

Awakened by sudden coldness wrapping itself around Blur's weakened body his gaze focused in-between blurry consciousness on the Blade of Exodus burning into molten scrap, it begins to flake away while the remains of the chaos Idol and silver light vanish scorching the ground of the chamber with the black fire extinguishing only after it had corrupted the carpet into ash.

The bare stone floor was the only source of heat bubbling with hot blood and debris as Blur noticeably felt the missing hot presence of evil, a tiny smirk washing over his chard face. His heart still beating but fading as he felt every beat in his ears deafeningly louder than the next. Blur's mind formed Ulric by his side refusing to leave him for it was this hope keeping Blur tethered to what little life was left ensuring a remnant of him survived.

Looking into Ulric's eyes he saw something Blur couldn't quite place, desperation...remorse and an unbearable guilty feeling as if this ghost was grilling him, reading the silent words from Ulric's lips made Blur's blood run ice cold.

Blur: I did it for Alestia...for my family

This delusion abruptly cuts off as blackness envelops Blur's consciousness dimmly hearing a muffled echo of his title in the consuming darkness as he passes out.

Sovy mystified by the godly energy dissipating had forgotten how to breathe stuck in awe trying to understand what bright explosion had thrown him down the stairs during the detonation from the chamber ahead of him. Slowly regaining his senses from the engulfing blast fresh blood dripped from wounds caused by the fleeting debris storm. Gulping heavily with deep breaths as he silently acknowledged no one could have survived such a force yet to his beaming relief crawling up the rickety stairs, there was Blur covered in wounds and lying on the floor star-shaped from the eruption.

Sovy: Monarch

...impossible how, Monarch? Monarch! No..no no! Don't be...

Sovy had crossed the chamber in an instant and fell over next to Blur softly shaking his drained king and getting nothing in return. In his dismay feeling for a pulse Sovy's attention was briefly caught by snow gently pouring in from the gaping crumbling hole as the roof had been almost completely blown off. Incredible power had taken place here like nothing he or anyone else had ever seen before.

The faint sound of the cloister bell Fortaime had rung calling the spirits guards retreat was still ringing in its foreboding tone as the castle rocked threatening to collapse into itself. A Balteus blizzard was building back up on its way to assault the continent with a grumble of thunder warning the living to take shelter, sweat had started to form in Sovys fur as the cold air and boiling remains of chamber mixed swelling the room with a thin layer of smoke and fog. With a sigh of much relief, a faint pulse responded to Sovy as he gripped Blur's limp wrist in promise.

Sovy: I don't know if you can hear me Monarch but you have done it. Alestia is free! Finally free... a much bigger battle lies ahead of you now but I will be here to help you.

I promised to serve the TRUE rulers till the end of time now don't you go dying here. You have a world to lead and your friends will need you now more than ever

With a swift but cautious motion, Sovy had scooped Blur up over his shoulder and steadily made his way down the chamber stairs back to the atrium with fog slowly tumbling after them. Checking the king's condition noting so much blood pouring from his severed arm and debris wounds made Sovy grunt with guilt begging whatever god Alestia had left to spare Blur's life.

Rolling his arm around to inspect his wounds revealed gashes of fur and skin ripped off pouring blood everywhere making Sovy wince. His big fluffy ears twitched as the gears surrounding the Triumvirates chamber started to whirl in impossible directions carving an uneasy feeling in his gut. He stares at the silver and gold gears moving mindlessly and sneers speaking in a low menacing voice to the walls that once housed evil.

Sovy: you unholy machine.

Still whirling under the Triumvirate's faith. That magic word that means you never have to think for yourself. Look around!

The Triumvirates are gone. It's too late for their tools to act now so take your losses and run... just. Run

As the walking wounded converge on the taken castle, sombre and ecstatic celebrations flare around Balteus with small pockets of resistance fighters taking out their bloodlust on the fallen spirit guards. Damek is the first to gather the healthy rebellion forces into search groups and helps to set up field hospitals as he's in desperate need of aid barely remembering how he survived his encounter with spirit guards who were seconds from killing him, his tactical foxy brain never stopping as he forms medical supply lines and orders runners to fetch crucial intelligence of the lay of the land. Howl was quickly relieved of herding the spirits guards' lifeless armoured shells as their souls were released with the chaos Idols destruction yet a darker task was given to the already walking dead Monarchy vessel.

Howl had the unenviable task of collecting the dead in and out of Balteus's protective wall, most friends of the fallen refused to leave their bodies and slowly grew in numbers collecting their fallen comrades. Howl with his visions of death tormenting him when he was first released from the spirit idol connected to Valinorth and Mazeo was hauntingly the perfect person to walk amongst the dead for he had seen everyone die needlessly and relentlessly. Eventually, the graveyard lined the side of the icy castle slowly being buried in the peaceful spattering of snowflakes.

Fortaime, Sovy and Blur were soon under the careful wolf healing hands of Ulric whose many years of battle wounds had single-handedly saved Fortaimes life, bandages and alcohol to put a grand alchemist to shame littered the shoddy infirmary, Dakem had soothed Pro who eventually calmed down from the haze of battle and explained how Grzy had sacrificed himself taking the brunt of the spirit guard attacks to save the husky who had found himself trapped at a dead end.

The final moments of his sacrifice will last in Pro's mind for a long time to come but to help Pro cope he was given busy work by Damek to keep preoccupied. A soft unconscious comfort for Pro sprinting with a purpose from the castle to the temp HQ within the city, moral was desperate as Fortaime eventually guessed what happened to cause Valessa's absence. Ulric had rarely left Blur's side mostly staring at him as if his willpower would heal him faster, dabbing his bleeding wounds now and again seeing the bandages going a darker and darker red. A losing battle.

Blur was one of many on death door as rebels swarmed medical tents seeking aid for themselves and their comrades, Alex the pirate king was still recovering from the ocean battle that had been the welcoming party to Balteus's shores, and Vivien had yet to be found fearing the leader of Alarinthia may have fallen in the melee. Ulric had done his best to patch Blur who had been shot in the shoulder and nearly froze to death in the ice ocean during the initial attack, unfortunately, Halin had also landed a blow to Blur's shoulder and with Sovy cutting from Blur's elbow down then being covered in cuts and bruises by the explosion Blurs odd were slipping by the minute.

Ulric: I should have taken care of you Blur, we heard your screams...

Please if there are any spirits left, aid us. Save the Monarch. I'm tired of the struggle, tired of losing everyone who matters.

Tired of watching everything...turn to dust

Sovy: he knew the risks Ulric, we all did... when have you ever seen him unsure of a decision?

Maybe he chose me to aid him so he could keep you from harm's way. He told me about that stunt you and Pro pulled in Alarinthian...maybe that had something to do with it.

Ulric: And that makes it better how?!

That stupid mutt risking his life with just you to protect him and look at him now! I have a duty of care to protect him, everyone. An entire lifetime of sellsword and I'm the one ordered to babysit your frigging apprentice!

I should have been there...I wouldn't have had to cut off his arm and leave him like this!!

Ulric's temper doesn't faze Sovy in the slightest as the wolf warrior swipes a table clear of empty flasks and medical vials shattering to the cold tile ground. Watching Ulric unload his anger on the table repeatedly hammering it Sovy slowly backs off not wanting to upset Ulric more and moves undetected to Halin's side, the Triumvirates canine puppet who had his entire world turned upside down. The task ahead of him was nothing short of completely restructuring his faith, his values even his personality which was no meer feet for anybody to do. Since waking he hadn't said a word but had no problem hearing Ulric's misplaced hatred causing the fighter to turn into himself more, Sovys touch made him jump as a sad smile met his own while Halin tensed his bandage around his stomach, today's victory was a costly one for all it seemed.

Meanwhile, Fortaime buried himself under his flimsy bedding at the outburst from Ulric knowing yet not admitting Blur's condition was critical and uncertain if his childhood friend would pull through, the taste of painkillers and medicine made the bunny wish for a sweet Mazeo apple to wash away the odd taste and he too turned into himself with a heavy silence being loudly filled with nightmarish thoughts and pain distracting from Ulric's rage.

Ulric had turned away from the table having finally buckled and splintered into pieces, moping back to Blur Ulric softly worked his fingers into Blur's seeking some comfort to settle his new nerves and clutched a bottle of alcohol for dear life. It had been a long time since Ulric had felt the rush of life rethinking his decision honoured by Blur before the eve of war back in the rebel HQ, how he had asked for the Triumvirate's immortal curse to be lifted knowing it could be his last chance to ask for his mortal life back.

Ulric's train of thought was quickly wrecked releasing Blur's paw as the energy in the room was noisily injected by Dameks clumsy entrance. Exhaustion was plain to see on his pale face as he nearly fell through the door rubbing ash from his whiskers, his look of determination didn't waver as his eyes scanned the silent hurting room with his face softening seeing his closest friends dealing with the battle's aftermath.

Damek has clearly been hastily bandaged up and is covered in battle wounds having been shot through the shoulder, chest and gut. A comically big bandage wrapped around his head as the rock smashed atop of him from the spirit guard was nearly the killing blow and threw the leader to the floor. Had it not been for Shane's sudden appearance Damek would have been another casualty in the town centre, when he woke up medics had told Damek Shane had patched him up and left before any other repercussions and reunions could be carried out for the traitor. Damek had no idea what changed his best friend's mind to return to the rebel's aid but one day Blur may tell him during the ocean battle he had spared Shane's life on the sinking ship.

Fortaime stared back at Damek peaking his head out of the blanket with tears already threatening which urged Damek to cross the distance and nervously sit next to the bunny hoping his presence would help, clearly Damek was still struggling with physical contact but the effort and progress made with Blur was paying off.

Damek: Listen gang I don't think there are words to describe how I or any of us are feeling... we lost so many good people but we will not let their sacrifice be in vain. I promise every single one of you we will honour them with every day that comes.

You have all done more than I could have asked... yet I ask those who can to continue our momentum. Those who cannot, rest, that is an order.

The bravery witnessed by all on the battlefield will go down as legends. Songs will be sung, there's already one for Grzy but... I'd like you Fortaime to lead Valessa's tribute, you and Blur can work on it together if...when. He's well enough.

Fortaime: ... I'll do it, she deserves to be remembered for pushing into this dark place. It's just...hard right now.

How can she be gone?

When I go back to Valinorth she won't be there, she was always there to guide me and now there's... there's a void I don't know how to fill. I don't know what to do.

Damek looks at him with a sad nod knowing that this loss would lead to a profound change within Fortaime, his best friend dead and with Blur's life slipping away his two closest friends might be leaving the bunny all alone in this brave new world. Gently Damek puts a paw on his shoulder and the bunny quietly muffles a sob, his voice wavering from heartbreak.

Damek: Valinorth will be looking to you for comfort and leadership now Elder, we'll push on together just as we did when Salus died. It's not fair I know but you're not alone Fortaime. We'll make sure nobody else has to live like this, nobody else will have to feel this pain...not on our watch. We were the Triumvirate's last victims.

Fortaime takes a deep breath as he fights his tears off and calms himself with a bold face to match Damek's, his pain will have to wait another day as more people will be hurting without him. Damek takes this as his cue to get up off of Fortaime's medical bed and begins to move to Sovy and Halin, his eyes locking with Halin's and if looks could kill Halin would be painted across the walls.

Halin: I am glad Shane is alive, I didn't think he'd come back from the ocean attack... I wish I never sent him off with his plan.

Damek... I don't think you'll see him again, we...

We changed him.

Halin winces as he sits up with Sovy's help and looks Damek in the eyes not caring for the hatred shown.

Halin: You should stay here your living up to your reports.

Always telling people to relax but you never do it yourself

Always moving on to the next stage of every plan. Damek you don't know how to take it easy.

Dameks eye twitches as Halin tells him uncomfortable facts having already sent out search parties for Shane but nothing turned up, Damek knows his own condition is precarious but with his army in shatters, he must look after them before he looks at his own wounds.

Before a word of mistrust could be spoken by Damek everyone's attention is gripped by a fizzing arch of lightning creating a doorway in the wall next to Blue Blur, a new room forming before their very eyes as the cloister bells of the Triumvirates start to ring in reverse twisted in time.

Sparks splutter from the wall spinning sparkles and an ominous angelic humming calls from the archway forming a bright godly blue hue to ooze in from the hidden room, from what Halin can see this hidden room could easily be from another universe as the walls were covered in a gold, red and purple swirling mist.

Glass shattering ruptures around the room louder than anything Ulric could have thrown and more painful than anything anyone has suffered previously.

Fortaime was the first to grab his blended guts together clutching his chest and banshee screams in torture, followed immediately after by everyone else holding their hearts which increasingly beat excruciatingly harder. Trying to speak only caused more panic as an eerie silence consumed the room, freezing in time like statues nobody could move with all eyes glued to the spinning blue vortex of lightning forming next to Blue Blur with the sound of clocks ticking echoing throughout the infirmary.

Horrified shock-filled eyes reflected the electrified gears shifting to invite a robed figure floating forward out of the wall humming in a low fiendish humour. Gears of the Triumvirate churn with the figure's haunting voice bringing forth the spent anger and nightmare scenario standing before the fatigued rebel warriors.

Mysterious figure: Breathe... you must remember to breathe.

...

Be not alarmed mortals!

Hmm no too godly. How about...

Don't be scared I mean you no harm. My presence here regards a matter of incredible news.

You will listen for your lives hang in the balance.

The magical doorway in the infirmary wall immediately slams shut locking into hundreds of tiny gears taking with it the bright blinding light, standing before the group was none other than a Triumvirate armed with an imposingly large spear, its pearly body and gold gems glistening leaving no room for doubt that it is most definitely another weapon of the Triumvirates. The figure has the same matching robe as his fallen brothers whose blood covers the castle inners. A floating black gear necklace snaps in two easing the time-stopping effects.

As the rebel group is released and goes into coughing fits recovering from time restriction the Triumvirate figure looks left to right in the room judging the eyes of each person, Sovy and Ulric's eyes rage like the killers they are ready to attack at any moment. Damek and Fortaime's eyes however betrayed the terror of seeing their deadly enemy walking out of the walls armed and fearless. Halin on the other hand, were impossible to read seeing pure confusion but neither anger nor fear at the intruder, Blur was still unconscious completely unaware of the perceived threat entering the room.

The Triumvirate made no quick moments and spoke slowly to the group yet a tone of hatred bleeds into the figure's speech as their empty black hood stops for a moment too long looking at Blue Blur. Ulric's skin itching for a fight noticing Blurs bandages dried over with black blood.

Triumvirate: I am not here to fight but I will defend myself be warned. I insist you listen to my every command...no my every word... by the time this day is done, you will know secrets you never thought possible, monsters to haunt your dreams and hopes only prayer could answer. But we do not have time for doubt or hatred...

Believe me, I am here to save more people than any of you can imagine. This is bigger than all of us.

Ulric: Enough! Your lies end here 'god', your death is an experience best shared

Ulric's great sword hissed from its sheath in an instant as his big blue eyes fixated on his foe, baring his teeth Sovy had only seen this enraged look once before... on the battlefield where Ulrics' faith in the Triumvirate was first shattered paving the very first steps towards his escape from his former masters. It was a day so scratched into Sovy's mind that the following battle would be more than just to the death, this was a battle for what was just and right.

The white wolf lept with ruthless speed swinging his greatsword at the Triumvirate's head while Sovy in perfect synergy lept to the god's flank raising his fists in a prepared strike tearing his bloody bandages, taken back by the attack the Triumvirate shifted their weight with the spear but a satisfying grin from Ulric has signed the god's fate, Ulric feinted his swing and plunged the sword through the Triumvirate's chest with great ease ripping out the still beating heart with it pumping blood across the walls. The Triumvirate slowly looked down at the fatal wound and with difficulty raised its hooded head to look Ulric in his raged busting eyes.

Triumvirate: I can see...you...you haven't missed me Ulric...

heh...again...always through the fucking chest.

Raising their paws the Triumvirate grips Ulric's greatsword and whispers in a bygone language, their paws revealing spinning black gears and before everyone's eyes, a bright flash blinds them revealing the one-sided struggle was reversing through time like a twisted magic trick. The swift movements of Ulric were reset but just like before he goes to cut the Triumvirate's head off but instantly finds his attack had been countered. The silver spear pierced through his swinging arm and with surprising strength found himself pinned to the floor with the Triumvirate standing above him dead to rights. His greatsword is under Triumvirate control with the blade to Sovy's throat and completely unable to comprehend both his successful and failed attack on the Triumvirate within the same memory. Both timelines slam against each other as he screams from impalement.

Triumvirate: WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR THIS ULRIC! You've already lost... Sovy you dare move and I will kill him. Don't even try it!

You both don't understand time is short so let's talk.

I have shown you my heart, I have shown you my mercy...now we move on to show you why I am here, this ... this distraction is not worth our time.

Ulric's immortal mind had soon found the perplexing sensation it felt as physical pain. A stark reminder his now mortal body introduced to astonishing pain he hadn't felt for thousands of years causing such a raw reaction it sent a shiver through everyone's spine bristling their fur on end, blood splattering on his muzzle and dripping down his tattoo, gripping the spear in his shoulder he is shocked motionless noticing that the spear barely missed his heart, either he's extremely lucky or he was wounded to this fine debilitated point on purpose. Looking up at his attacker through gritted teeth the Triumvirate voice had gripped the room in tension, their echoing ghostly voice trembling through time revealing more emotions than Ulric had ever heard before in his former masters.

Triumvirate: This is a kindness, you know you could be dead but I haven't... I am trying to keep you safe, all of you. I do not wish for anyone else to die so. Grab. My. Hand...Trust me, Ulric

Ulric's face easily painted a thousand words showing he would never trust the Triumvirate, his fierce growl rebuked any offer the god could make, and Sovys eyes glowed red waiting for any kind of opening to strike the intruder dead.

Triumvirate: I could have killed you to make this point but I didn't... please let that mean something to you. Choose to live

Nobody has to die for a point to be made, this is my belief.

The Triumvirate stretched out their paw throwing Ulric's blade to Sovy's feet and offering mercy to his foe, his paw awaiting Ulric's acceptance of mercy or death. The white wolf was barely reeling from his confusion and had never expected the Triumvirate to understand the term mercy. Being dead to rights he had no other choice but to trust the mysterious Triumvirate figure as he hesitantly grabbed the silver paw in front of him.

This revelation was another surprise as the Triumvirate Ulric knew had never revealed anything about them. No names, no faces or fur. Nothing. Merely seeing its fingers had been a sign of the change come. Upon grabbing the hand Ulric felt the flow of time through him again as he was again reset to his fighting stance. The momentum in his actions was incredibly tough to stop yet before his blade could once again hit the Triumvirate he slowed himself and showed mercy, almost respecting first the foe he has ever been bested by.

Sovy wasted no time leaping upon the god and dragging them to the floor disarming their spear as it rolled away. Pinned and imprisoned the robed figure groans banging their head on the floor.

Quickly feeling himself over Ulric is relieved to find not a scratch of the spear wound brushing through his bloody shoulder and noting the walls covered in fresh blood confirmed to Ulric he was not insane. This was happening, he hovers his sword above the god's neck who struggles against Sovy.

Triumvirate: a hostile greeting I don't blame you Sovy you're only treating me I like I taught you. Restrain me any way you wish - I only want to talk.

Ulric: What, what was that?? Who are you? Why am alive...

Triumvirate: That dear Ulric, was time...oh it's been a while since I've had to start thinking in a linear dimension, either way, wrong question.

Why I'm here is far more pressing, but first I will do as I promised and help those who need healing. I'm here to help them. All of you.

Watch please, an example of what I am here to achieve and why you should couldn't cut my head off!

A gold mist rises through the Triumvirate's robe and wraps around Sovys arm who quickly releases the god gritting his teeth in pain and watching his wounds heal over good as new.

Sovy: KILL THEM!

Damek: WAIT!

We've accepted you Sovy and Gryz. Do you not trust your own eyes you've just been healed?

Instantly!

It's worth listening to their offer, imagine the potential benefits they far outweigh the risks. They are outnumbered and we can fight them.

Ulric: you want trust the Triumvirate?!

They'll tell you what you want to hear Damek, they'll convince you your dreams can come true and then when they're done with you, they throw you away.

We should kill them and be done with it.

Damek: No! I am Blur's advisor and your general, while he's down you follow my command. We will watch and then decide Ulric. Get up 'god'.

Triumvirate: Thank you Damek, I promise I am a merciful god, a desperate god. I need you to trust me, what must I do to convince you people?

Sovy:Die.

Triumvirate:Oh, very clever, Sovy. Eat any good books lately?

Sovy sneers making the Triumvirate back off but one look from Damek subdues Sovy who moves back to Halin's side to protect his apprentice. Ulric watches the god slowly as the Triumvirate dusts themself off and grumbles as the blood spatter rips their robes, they look at each wounded being in the infirmary and lands their unnerving gaze upon Fortaime and Demak, a shift in the enemy's movement slowed trying as gently as possible to approach them both.

Standing at the end of the medical bed Fortaime was shaking in his blood-stained sheets staring back with terror streaming from his teary eyes. The presence of this unexpected evil caused Fortaime to break under the Triumvirate's presence leaving the bunny to screech in heart-stopping fear. Ulric had been distracted by the concussing effect of his life being spared and the flow of time moving through him, snaking its way to ease the sickness of two timelines living in the same memory. This magical feeling was unlike any other but somewhere in his mind, a faint bell rang that this power, that god's paw was oddly familiar watching the time agent move closer to Fortaime with a hidden curiosity.

Demak was stuck next to Fortaime as if his paws were frozen solid to the ground refusing to abandon a member of his resistance against the approaching deity. He's experienced death and he is more than willing to stare it in the face wanting to know all he can from the rebellion's most hated enemy.

Humming in thought inspecting both their wounds the god prepares more of their tricks watching as Fortaime shakes fearfully.