Chapter One of Ten

Eye Of The Storm

Blinding hot bleached light erupted from atop the dilapidated castle and instantly engulfed all of time with a nuclear boom expanding exponentially.

Within the split second of ignition, reality sinks in that at this moment, the end of tyrannical plight opposed to all life comes to its destructive end. All evil everywhere obliterated, on every world, in every universe. At every moment of time...

Saved.

-

/Previously/

The icy continent Balteus shuddered with a great wave of brilliant silver light crashing from high as the Triumvirate's decaying castle crumbled to bits, rocking from the epicentre and unleashing a dust storm on what remains of the burning Monarchy city below. The dust brings a layer of rich, warm smog reaching far to the docks and beyond into the open ice ocean with the stench of death and destruction lingering in its oppressively warm wake.

For the first time in a very long time, hope was igniting unfetteredly in Balteus, flaring within the surviving rebels lucky enough to dodge the flying rubble and glass. Looking into the sky, the source of the explosive light faded into an eerie silence with tremors of black fire rippling in the sky and snow settling back down, reflecting the burning streaks of fire, a permanent scar of defeated death gloom wrapped around the lone ice island.

Its shattering glass pattern was a welcomed sight, seeing the broken remains of evil burning high above those who had given so much just to survive impossible odds; exhausted heroes basked in the comforting light, knowing this was the pure essence of victory.

The seven-day war ended in this breathtaking moment and gone were the tyrants who exacted a price far too high in their final moments. Bodies, blood and crying filled the dead city as the aftermath of war reared its ugly head to the battered living, leading to screams for help, but the fallen did not answer those crying their names.

The rebel army who fought through hell clashed in devastating sword and shielded melee against the unending might of the Triumvirates' hallow spirit guards, monsterous rage-filled empty suits of steel who took a terrible toll on the front line dragonic fighters and left hundreds of rebels dead filling the streets. Babbling, bubbling brooks of blood-claret red streamed through glaciers out into the ocean.

Life unending with unfair blow after blow to what remained of the rebellion now could look upon all that was sacrificed by friends and family alike and knew a golden age must be ahead for the next generation. Something good has to come from so much loss.

These rebels who fought side by side with Howl and Demek - the rebellion's leaders who were separated in brawls and fog of war. Hearsay reported both had been cut down with their brothers and sisters in the southern district close to town square, this news inevitably spawned chaos within the embers-lit streets with word spreading the heroic and beloved leaders fought with their last breaths hoping their battle plans marched onwards with their sacrifice.

Thankfully said plans remained in motion by sellsword champions allied with the rebellion - Ulric and Sovy - who accepted the most important task of all, their goal to keep the only person alive who can end this war ensuring they can face down the tyrants. Having flanked past the blood-soaked city and the chaos of the front lines, Ulric and Sovy the legendary killers exhausted themselves throwing savage skills to their doomed foes across the mountain pass. Success was bought with desperate and deceiving betrayal, skilled craftsmanship of their weapons and above all else their ability to make split-second decisions to defend the mission.

Ulric's role in the rebellion had been one of the defining moments that brought a realistic chance of success bringing down the illegitimate rulers of Alestia's continents. Charged with the deadly task of breaching the castle perimeter and taking the fight directly to the Triumvirates his aim was set true being the unstoppable force he is.

As the battle closed in around them Ulric and Sovy had split their responsibilities leaving Ulric to keep an eye on the captured Triumvirate's cunning thrall. Halin - The now prisoner of war was stirring from his regenerative vision, gifting a new enlightened perspective from his freedom and liberation from under the Triumvirates thumb.

Halin's forgotten and suppressed free will slowly awakens from its slumber no longer blinded by hypnotic lies of false gods and finally able to decide for himself his actions rather than his existence being a performance with no way to enact his own decisions, but the trust from his recently fought foes at the atrium of the castle and during the rebellion expansion could only come from carefully nurtured time. Unmistakable disgust in Ulric's eyes set Halin's expectations straight as it would take a very long time to trust someone who had struck down comrades.

Meanwhile, Sovy had lent a hand to the Triumvirates' end breaching further into the castle complex having learnt its halls and walls all too well, once being the Triumvirate's Grand Inquisitor Sovy tortured the aspirations of the rebellion and was the Triumvirate's most trusted executioner killing for sport when he can.

Being the primary hunter of revolutionists his allegiance came from the same powerful vision that freed Halin, imbued by the Monarchys vision his corrupted mind was set free rebirthing Sovys individuality into the fluffy-furred yet stern dragon. Now untied from misplaced faith and Triumvirates lies, his path was aligned with the most unexpected allies.

Sovys fate intermixed with Ulrics who both shared a friendship older than civilization and infinitely more complex knowing each other before the Triumvirates even rose to power so many centuries ago. As the marching of time passed the Triumvirates sunk their claws into Sovy turning the friends against each other into a turbulent rivalry, now with Sovys mind free it brought old frenemies back together ending the duel of fates and combing their skills they fought in sync, they crushed what little remained of the castle honour guard ensuring fellow rebels could keep reinforcements at bay.

Moving forward through the castle Sovy flexes his freedom and plays the fake royals for fools killing one of three legendary Triumvirates leaders with a blow granted by the arm of truth and trust born from genuine remorse.

Snap decisions and unquestionable actions compel Sovy to cleaver off the arm of his once primary target now turned ally, the Monarch himself. This brutal act regains the momentary trust of the Triumvirate who had sought the Monarchs end since the inception of the rebellion roughly twenty years ago, leveraging this act swiftly Sovy takes advantage of their dropped guard for the Triumvirate offers Sovy a way back into their ranks.

Demanding he strike down the only person who could stop their plans the Triumvirate had instead invited Sovys revenge defending the true heir of Alestia, terminating the first god with such ingenious deception bordering on a double betrayal.

Equally at this moment, the Monarch is floored by the agonising blow and all he can do is watch Sovy dispatch the self-proclaimed supreme, the severed arm falling from the great staircase and followed after by the lifeless skewered corpse of the Triumvirate who dared to trust Sovy one final time, their time-warped screams vanishing into the darkness below the grand staircase. Grappling with the preluded shady warning Sovy gave to the Monarch his trust was just strong enough to stay steadfast to the mission.

Crumpled and in a bloody mess across the rough stone the Monarch inhaled sharply biting down bile and pain knowing his sacrifice was for Alestia's liberty. Forced into brutalised acts of survival Sovy instantly lent aid to Monarch cauterising his stumped arm with his torch. Howling cries that could wake the dead ricocheted with a burning sickening smell up the staircase into the very last room of the castle signalling the end was coming for the remaining 'gods'. Treating the Monarch's wound was not easy as he writhed in agony against the flame forcing Sovy to roughly press him against the floor soaking him in his blood.

Having crashed from one disaster to another known by many titles changing with each loss and gain all that was left was the disturbingly well-suited mindset for disembodied devotion to see this war end. The stakes and sacrifices were so costly that ending the Triumvirates' genocides must come at any price no matter the pain. As the rebellion raided hell below there would be no turning back from the inner city battles, this was it and the only acceptable end game was the Triumvirates downfall or to die trying. Alestia must be free.

Having seen the first Triumvirate fall to Sovys drastic judgement trust was strained but alive and from his actions the Monarch and Sovy could see the unguarded access to the Triumvirate's final chamber. Accepting the offered support by Sovy they made their way up the stairs slowly recovering from debilitating pain and blood loss the Monarch took a moment to steady himself, steeling his mind and reflecting on all he had experienced. How his title changed from Seer of Valinorth to The New King of Alestia and blessed to be Monarchy's last hope all due to weiding The Blade of Exodus. This man who was destined to end the war was none other than Blue Blur.

Feeling Blur move steadily faster under his own speed and adrenaline Sovy could clearly see the Monarch was experiencing another powerful vision, it was time to surrender the final battle to Blue Blur alone as Sovy remembered his own vision granted by the Monarchy Idol which revealed themselves to Blur for the first time. Foretold by destiny a monumental battle to silence the world's terror was approaching its allotted moment in time and space, the power of the Monarch's visions had taught Sovy their strength first hand and now it was leading to the end of a triple tyrant end.

Staggering inside the Chamber of the Triumvirates a familiar Dark Idol radiating whispers of chaos throughout the ornate room beckoning Blur forward, its design similar to the jail Idols which held the Monarchy souls yet seemingly formed by destructive essences and elements. Its unseen thrumming control across the universe taunted the Monarch that this was the Idol that had been the cause of destruction for countless innocent worlds, uneasy warmth baked the room as icy high winds thrashed atop the castle peak mixing the sensation of bloody metal bubbling along Blurs tongue.

Death, grief and suffering delivered by this cosmic creation had allowed the Idol to play its part well planting fear and trauma into the rebellion during their many battles and retreats, terrorised rebels fled for their lives against the Triumvirate's numberless spirits guards and with sporadic visions Blur had seen the glimpses of villages burning to nought but ash in the Triumvirates soldiers wake, hauntingly Triumvirates never left a single survivor collecting every soul and leaving no bodies behind.

This device used to summon and control the Triumvirate armies was flanked by two white and gold-robed beings just as sinister as the Idol for orchestrating years of bloodshed stood watching quizzically as the Monarch moved sluggishly yet determined towards them simmering with rage committed to finishing this journey once and for all, the pain in his armless stump fueling his swings harder and faster to repay these monsters with everything they deserve.

Sovy had watched as his Monarch cut through Triumvirates efficiently and had been proud to see him following his and Ulric's advice to give no quarter, not a single word of mercy, begging or questioning had reached the kings' ears. No matter the secrecy and urgency the Triumvirate's screams suggested.

No leniency was given by the Monarch to allow his foes to twist his decision with their mind games yet deep down, he wished to have known what could have caused the Triumvirates to take such an exterminating view of all life, he wanted to know who they were and what their plans were... why all this bloodshed was started but the risk this carried was too much when he was so close to finishing this war.

One of the Triumvirates hadn't even attempted to defend their life as Blur slid his blade through their chest knowing what was coming had been inevitable but the other one did try to bargain. The final Triumvirate master left alive and this one was different... Screaming in its time-warped voice to beg the Monarch to allow it to see the fruits of their labour only to be greeted by a blade glint diving towards them. Their desperate gurgling fell on unforgiving death ears.

Sovy had barely seen the blade through the shower of blood as the last living Triumvirate's head flew and bounced away to the darkness in the Chamber staining its already royal red carpets a further blood red.

Blur was now left with just one battle ahead of him soaking in a second of ecstasy knowing all the Triumvirates were dead and gone from his world. His gaze rested upon the Idol with his blood-dripping sword tightly in hand, a yearning growing in him the longer he stared at the Dark Idol drawing him forward.

Incomplete and vague visions supported Blur this far but he knew that this would be the last time this exact battle would be played out like so many times before and his decision made today would break new ground, hopping he was strong enough to end the time war for good he moved forward to vanquish this core of evil. Bracing himself with a clear hope of survival he knew he had to be ready for whatever came next.

Meanwhile, other parties were playing their roles just as designed by the Dark Idol. Party members within the rebellion doing their tasks dutifully to ensure Blur could have arrived at this exact point.

The seasick yet stealthy steps of Pro with his all-seeing husky eyes superbly lead castle hordes away as a diversion working in sync with the upbeat energetic bunny Fortaime who wished the biggest problem he had was not spending enough time enjoying life before the eve of war. Now the bunny gravely wounded somewhere within the castle bell tower hearing Pro cornered and clashing for life and limb in the dining hall below, could do nothing but wait for his salvation.

Fortaimes dying mind hoping rebellion aid would find its way to him and Pro before it was too late, struggling to scavenge anything to stem his profusely bleeding side impaled by a glancing arrow shot as he scaled the bell tower walls. Using his climbing claws to shred curtains for a makeshift bandage the bunny pushed on.

In the past week, Blur had been suffering frequent visions of the impending battle for which his friends may suffer, as such he tried to steer his newfound friends to better futures alive and well. Unbelievable events had turned his friendships into blossoming family ties as the rebellion travelled different continents to gather a sufficient army which would bring down the blood-soaked rulers of Alestia and with careful decision-making, Blur had hoped to keep all of his newfound family members on track to a majestic celebration of his new empire.

One day a tale of this journey would be made into countless stories spread throughout many worlds, stories of how the rebellion leaders had managed to steal the Triumvirate's weapon of unknown power and turn it against them. The Blade of Exodus being the key to seal fate itself existing outside the realms of time, Blur would tell these stories himself if he was to survive which he severely hoped to do for all his visions left his fate uncertain.

Staring down at the black chaos Idol sitting perched atop a demonic gold thin altar at the end of the blood-splattered chamber Blue Blurs' thoughts had rushed to Valessa. The hissing burning pain from the chaos Idol's proximity wore him down and reminded him of the shower of arrows riddling Valessa, his blood boiling and his heart pumping heavily in his ears faced with the heart-wrenching loss.

Too blinded by determination and rage was Blur able to recognise the loss of blood was impacting him more than he realised, with only a burnt stump to stop the bleeding there was only so much the mortal king could take. Blur's thoughts were at a fever pitch getting closer to the device of evil taunting his friends suffering with every smoldering step as his body slowly shut down. His hand ached as the blade responded to the pulsating glow of the Idol with each closer step surging with pain.

Valessa died where she stood defending her best friend to the end buying Blur the time needed to cross a rapidly swarming bridge of enemies with no where to escape for Valessa, some may think what she was dying for was beautiful. Sadly only the devastating pain was tangible to the Monarch reliving the memory over and over and over again of his foxy friend's sacrifice holding the line. This mental torture drained his energy threatening to bring Blur to his knees panting heavily to keep his resolve.

Blur: Nobody else... nobody else dies you Bastard! Have you got that? Nobody dies!

The onslaught of pain waves carried with each paw forward towards the repulsive chaos Idol had caused whispering worming voices of evil to breach Blur's mind while he vividly barked that the end was near for the chaos Idol, its attempts to crush his spirit and force him to submittance was vividently fought off by Valessa's voice cheering him on through pained tears on his sweating cheeks. Faint deathly sobs of Fortaime's desperate prayers for survival were also picked out with Blurs challenging march forward to victory. He had to continue for their sake. For the sake of Alestia.

Fortaime: Save me Monarch ... please

Blur: I will...two words I never refuse. I'm coming Fortaime

Blue Blur had last seen his upbeat bunny mate shot in the gut climbing to ring the Triumvirates retreat bell, Fortaime had walked off the injury just long enough to ring the bell but alone and without assistance his end was simply inevitable. The retreat bell had been rung within seconds saving Damek from spirit guard impalement, Howl on the other hand was a pin-cushion of bolts and darts but still 'alive' for the spirits guards could not kill what was already dead, Howl the walking dead wolf hosting the once trapped souls of Monarchy freely shedding the many swords stabbed into him.

Blur's mind is ablaze with agony forced by the chaos Idol to live the worst fate befalling those he loved unable to comprehend his failure with so many dead due to his lack of leadership even with forbearance knowledge granted by the Monarchy visions, having seen the true nature of his allies when facing certain death he knew the people around him were worth protecting with all his might, at any cost to himself he will see them safe at the end of this.

The salvation of all Alestia was in front of him as the burning radius of the choas Idol licked black flames of pain at his looming presence encroaching on the dark alter of ungodly power rupturing the room into an inferno, the Blade of Exodus in hand with its gears spinning defying possibility powered by billions of souls from the Triumvirates occupations of death left all souls screaming in one chorus to slay the evil machinery the Triumvirate had used to corrupt Balteus.

Blur falls to his knees bombarded by the voices of the people he needs to save and screams wanting to pull his brain apart assaulted by overwhelming chanting maddening rage. However, he can feel his friends connecting to him as Valessa watches the battle through his eyes demanding she can get out of 'here' heartbroken knowing her friends are missing her and wanting to go back to her home.

Struggling raise and keeping himself together holding the blade high above the orb Blur summoned thoughts of Howl's essential advice in his mind bracing himself as he barely registered the initial strike into chaos Idol and beginning to split it into two clean halfs.

Blur's lagging thoughts were of Howl's explanations seeing visions of other pasts and present, a cocktail of timelines of Alestias bloody history embedded with infinitely branching paths. The death and carnage of everyone he met and who he may have met. Howls cryptic help and warnings of death were promises to the battles around Blur and the destruction of the orb.

Within an instant Blue Blur can feel himself spread across time and space with the souls in him crying out for the chaos Idols annihilation feeling all of Alestia watching through his eyes, struggling to think straight against the waves of pure horror flowing through the blade and into the orb losing himself to the collective screams. The orb vibrating with power it had never had access to before and guzzling those slaughtered settling its two halves ablaze, Blur could only anchor himself to his memories hoping he could stop himself fading into the mob of angry souls.

He and Howl walk through empty tunnels of rebel HQ speaking of echoes of failed past timelines only making the sword stronger with the defeats of Blur's battle against the Triumvirates. How the blade Blue Blur wields is always feeding off of death and how death had been a constant loop for all of Alestia holding within it a planet's worth of souls. Snapping out of the memory Blue Blur could feel all the life force in him and the blade being pummeled into the orb but a victor was not immediately clear for the orb's smelting heat tried to reform itself wielding the power used to destroy it and merging that power into its survival. The billions of souls were destroyed so Blur could finish his fate.

In the throes of unlimited power being dumped into the choas Idol a burst of silver light shoots Blur into a frenzied vision much like his first vision in Valinorth. His screams and erratic shaking trying to contain the ripples of multiple universes threatened to turn the wolf king to bone dust, his cries flooding through Balteus and breaking the hearts of his soldiers, Ulric's sad whines driving him to cut down the retreating spirit guard who awaited further orders that would never come.

In his vision, Blur sees himself and Howl standing before a great blaze of fire taking a moment to click he's looking at himself from a bird's eye view. The sight is unexpectedly natural tinted through a layer of gold, for some reason, Blur feels like he has seen this before as he listens to the time-warped voice of Howl pleading with Blur's past self to avoid a path of domination from death, sacrifice and strength much like the Triumvirates have.

The occupation is a prime example of the Triumvirate's dark nature killing others to ensure their rule which only makes the king's stomach turn for he never would he follow in their footsteps. Noticeably feeling weaker as the vision fades mid-battle with choas Idol's destruction challenging his every fibre of his being.

To be its destroyer Blur accepts he must burn for it. So he burns screeching so loud the blood clots in his ears deafen him, his breath turning to fire as blood pours from his nose and eyes. Only his followers could truly hear how possessed and demonic Blur or the orb screams as the end drew near.

Prayers and hope from his comrades come to Blur's back encouraging him forward to destroy the pure malice and evil filling Blur with fright, roaring angrily with a fusion of intergalactic power.

In his shifting hallucinations a final vision discharges from the orb allowing Blur to understand the voices of the spirits inside him louder now as his head echoes with Howl's wise words spouting another theory. The Triumvirates planned for the blade to become more powerful in Blur's paws, for his every decision and step forward has been a curtain of blood. While the rebellion has managed to bring an almighty army to the Triumvirates' front door the warning of an invisible hand pulling the strings and pushing to one final outcome troubles Blue Blur realising there may be another part to play after the orb's destruction.

Death and dying break his heart as all these thoughts happen in the space of a single second. Without knowing it, time is destabilising with the blade and the chaos Idol interlocked - obliterating each other with the wolf trapped in the middle of his fate rupturing with universes of energy tearing him apart.

Dying...dying...dying, now his own words spark a stupefied realisation in him, a slow panic that his death is coming to pass and the chaos Idol will not go without one more causality. His visions all abandoned him now letting Blur feel clarity finally having his mind at rest as the Triumvirate's plan to gather all this power has still plotted Blue Blur's damnation.

Face to face with his maker staring at the orb infront of him a dark foreboding feeling takes over Blur. He knew this face, even in its absence and almost selfish in his fear he could not shake his own soul screaming that the destruction of the orb would mean salvation for all of Alestia yet death would not await him, instead he would entirely eviscerated from existence wiped from the annals time and completely forgotten. He would lose more than his life.

On the cusp of death, his will to live was strong, stronger than the Triumvirates who as literal gods of time on Alestia failed to save themselves. Blur would not make their mistake deciding to fight with all his will clutching to life determined to beat his near-fatal foes. He can finish this war and live to tell the tale.

And so he did creating an explosion that left ripples through the fabric of space.

His last ounce of strength ensuring freedom had come but with a heavy price, as it always does.