Chapter 60: Chapter 60

King Malik

The Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard

King Malik stared into his crystal as he saw the legions of fiends entering the borders, it was a mixture of monsters of different sizes and races. They ran through the ground like maniacs wanting to shed blood, their eyes were filled with malice and violence. Above them, advancing quickly as they were in the air, are the hideous vultures. They were flying towards the kingdom at high speeds, tearing through the air with pure hatred in their eyes. Malik saw his citizens that were not around the capital of the kingdom flee for their lives as they were run down and slaughtered like farm animals.

“It’s those things I saw in my visions!” Tessa shouted in horror as she saw them from the King’s crystal viewer, “They’re the ones who captured Colter!”

Malik’s eyes darkened, he may have had differences with his son, but he was a son of his, nonetheless.

“It may be in poor taste to do this” Malik announced to Vida and Tessa, who were trembling at the power and the command of his voice, “Colter’s rescue and retrieval now takes second priority.”

He pointed his ring finger, which bore the ring of the kingdom, at his throat and chanted “vociferamini”

“Listen to me, citizens of the Kingdom of Howard, a dark enemy threatens our way of life. The Kingdom of Havocc has decided once more to strike at us, I will not mince words with you, Ecanus of the kingdom of Howard.” Malik’s voice had blared through the entire kingdom, as if in a large speaker.

“We are in a weakened state but we must do our best to repel our would-be conquerors. The sickly, the wounded and children must should run towards the safety of the royal palace. To the able bodied, I will not force you into a battle that you wish not to fight, but I ask of you, loyal subjects and beloved citizens of this kingdom. Take to arms and fight. The Kingdom’s Army and the Royal Guards deploy at once, let us beat back these monstrosities that seek to destroy us in an era where we hoped for peace. We may fall, but let us not allow ourselves to fall without a fight. Dyron’s ambition will be his downfall.”

Immediately after his announcement, there were thunderous footsteps from outside the palace.

“Soldiers, fighters and warriors alike!” it was a voice that sounded old yet strong, Malik recognized it to be Aimon, his best general. “Today, like every battle and skirmish we fought through these years, will be a day that our blood will spill on to the floor. Many will perish, as is with every battle fought over the course of history.”

Their faces were stoic, hardened and battle ready. They had trained all their lives, they had fought battles, they had lost friends and family in wars, these are members of the Ecanus Defense Corps, battle hardened fighters that will not hesitate to fend off attackers that would disrupt the peace in their beloved kingdom.

“Aimon” Malik thought fondly, “Always the motivation speaker, he does not give them any niceties. He calls it as it is.”

“May they be victorious” Malik prayed fervently as the army marched out of the palace walls and into the capital.

There was an air of fear in the kingdom, Gian was preparing himself for the impending battle, Vida and Tessa held each other tight, afraid and Regina was chanting and praying something with her eyes closed tight.

In an instant, a group of well armored Ecanus arrived in front of him, they had formed an arching line with someone missing in the center. The vice-captain of the Royal Guard approached King Malik apologetic, “We are here, your majesty. The Royal Guard heeds the call and will fight to the death. We are your sword and shield.”

“Where is Vergil?” Malik asked curious, as he had not seen Vergil since he had left for the portal, the last news he had of him was that he dropped off the two humans and left to secure the borders.

“He still has not returned from the borders, sire. He may have encountered enemies at his end.” The vice-captain told the king worriedly, “We are not at full force without his presence in our formation”

“You are the royal guard!” Malik told them, “You are head and shoulders above the average soldier. You are the better than even the battle-hardened veterans of the corps. Hold your head high, and repel these filthy monsters that threaten our kingdom.”

The Vice-Captain held his head high at these words of the king, they were empowered at once, Regina had stopped praying and muttering and approached them.

“May my blessing go with you, Dea Omnium!” Regina told them kindly and a swirling aura emanated from her, it was as if a force field had spread within her and covered the entire capital city.

“I will buy you some time, but I will be immobile.” Regina told them, straining slightly, “You have an hour, they shouldn’t be able to breach the castle walls so easily.”

Malik felt happy and saddened at the same time, as he felt proud that his wife now stood with them in battle. She was a fine spell caster in her time, but the years of peace had allowed her time to rest. But he also felt sad that she was being put in peril because of some madman’s ambitions.

He turned to the two humans, “Hide. My servants will lead you to a haven within the palace” he commanded them and they complied immediately, as if, they did not want to perish in these strange lands that they were brought to.

There was a booming sound from outside as debris, rock and mud were flung towards the capital. Regina’s barrier held well, but each hit also takes a toll on the queen. She was giving her life force to maintain it, and her life force was being directly attacked.

The queen moaned in pain, but she still stood strong. Malik had moved to support her but she merely told him “GO! Lead your forces. I will hold them back as long as I can, use this time to prepare for the worse!”

He turned to Gian, there was fear in his eyes but there was also courage. He had done the kingdom many wrongs, and now was his opportunity to make up for them.

“Father, I have done many evil things to maintain my own status. Let me have this opportunity to prove my honor once more” He donned a battle helmet that was worn only by members of the royal family and Malik felt his heart break.

“My son, this fight will not be easy” he told his first born in a shaky voice, that bordered on breaking, “Whatever may happen here, rest assured that I have forgiven you for your transgressions. If I were to perish before I see Colter, tell him that I ask for his forgiveness as well, for how I had treated him.” He drew the royal sword of the king, the Heaven Piercer, it shone with a light that brought hope when all fell apart, “When he has returned, be kind to one another. Love each other as brothers should, do not pour malice over one another. My queen, my wife and my true beloved, I apologize for all my transgressions against you, for the hate that I have spewed in my late years. I love thee, with all my heart and soul.”

He turned to the royal guards who were now in formation, “I am King Malik Howard, I shall defend this land with my life if I must. Who dares to trample upon the kingdom built by my ancestors, who dares to fight against the good Ecanus of this kingdom. Let us cross our blades and duel to the death, Dyron Havocc!”

As soon as he made his announcement, there was a huge explosion from outside, dust and small particles of stone fell from the palace roof at the tremors, Regina was suddenly thrown backwards and fell, breathing hard, “No!” she screamed, “My barrier has fallen!”

Hope dwindles in these dark hours, but in the midst of darkness, light will always shine through.

These were the beliefs that Malik had fought for all his years, he readied his blade, prepared to meet his fate and his foe in mortal combat. Gian stood alongside his father, prepared as well to give his life for the kingdom that nurtured him and to make up for all the evil deeds he had committed in pursuit of his own selfish ambition.

“We will get through this, father; come hell or high water, I will be with you to the end”

With that the royal guard advanced with a battle cry, and as they poured out of the palace doors, a grisly site had met them. A large chunk of the capital city was set ablaze by an evil looking fire. It was blood red laced with black flames that could only be cursed by the darkest of magics.

King Malik’s hope trembled for a bit, but as sovereign he pushed forward, “Hope will prevail!”