Soul Slave

Six deep in a keep

"I hear the constant screaming from the town and I don't know what to do... Our forces were wiped out by the battle in town square between my brother."

"Which both of you probably still breathe."

Quintus contorted his mouth and turned walking over to his ledge where he could see over the town from the fort. "Think he'd come to a compromise?"

"I wouldn't come to a compromise with you, seeing as I believe you'd cut my head off in the end."

Lord Harmont chuckled, "Fair enough, champion." Taking out a flask full of whiskey, unscrewing it and taking a deep, personal swing without even smelling it first. Smacking his lips before wiping his mustache with his right forearm. "I suppose what we should do is unleash the dwarven bombs on the town? I already had them all rigged up in town square and the rest are planted on my brothers front lawn, not his keep... Where he keeps his children and wife."

Taking another swig he clears his throat, "I'm afraid they're all rigged together and the detonator is in town square. So whoever does it will die."

The champion of Saltire decided to remain silent at that, that's when the two could hear the ringing of a bell at a very high note. Quintus rushed over and pulled a lever that opened the main gate, the champion looked out a small window he had to open with a latch.

"Four of them just entered, only corpses coming next. Close the gate."

Quintus closed the gate and turned looking at the door, the group still had quite a way to go to get to them but they weren't about to leave the safety of the secure office.

The undead clashed against the closed steel bars that protected the four from another battle that might be only beneficial for Edward's lustful sword. Edward and Vindaes turned around gazing at what could have possible been everyone's death. The crimson fighters kept pushing more into the keep heading up a spiral of stairs that lead towards where the lord was holding out in.

"We should follow them." Vindaes said, turning to look at the spiral staircase they had to venture up feeling fatigue aching his very core.

"You're right."

"Of course, follow me."

"No Vindaes," Edward turned around and made eye contact with his best friend, "You're right about this blade."

"You just stood back and watched those men get slaughtered, and don't forget those two saw it... You drained their souls Edward..."

Edward didn't like hearing that out loud, but he nodded anyways.

"Let's go face the lord."

So they walked up those spiraling stairs with many questions and doubts within their chests. The main thought that provoked Edward's pride was his childhood friend Etienne, who was hung by this man for false accusations.

He lusted for revenge and the blade would gladly feed it if allowed.

"You don't have to do what you're thinking Edward." Vindaes spoke as they marched up the steps that seemed to go on for a little too long.

"You didn't have to join the elves that are now invading in the past."

"Learn from my mistakes not soak in their memory."

"I learn what I like." Edward spoke as if anger had taken hold of him.

They finally reached the top of the staircase where it split off into a hallway of different corridors throughout the keep, the first door was opened and the two Crimson fighters stood debriefing to Quintus. Vindaes and Edward approached cautiously, Edward placed his runeblade on his shoulder and inhaled softly; Vindaes shoved his serpent blades within his belt.

Quintus turned around to face them, dismissing his elite fighters. "Ah! If it's not the former fucking champion of Saltire! You.. I don't recognize you from under the sight of gore.." He sniffed the air, "Smell of shit."

Edward just glared at him, refusing to speak. So Vindaes found tongue, "This is another slave I come to train in my arts, none of your concern Harmont."

"Tis my fucking concern! You bring a half dressed man, boots falling apart, but glowing sword! Is this your way of asking for the position of champion back? A slave in the middle of a crisis?!" Harmont stormed up to Vindaes who towered over him, his champion which was decked out in golden platemail quickly approached his side, hand upon blade's hilt.

Edward couldn't hold himself back anymore, he smashed the pommel of his blade into Harmont's nose sending him back. Blood and mucus spread down his lips and into his mouth as he stumbled back, his champion placed himself between the two; drawing his longsword.

Vindaes pulled his swords out and took a step back, the only thing that could be heard for a few seconds was Quintus cursing and screaming in anger. Grabbing a flintlock pistol off the table he'd aim it at Edward from across the room, "You seem to know me deadman! Who are you?!"

"Edward Laristar, the fucking calvary Harmont."

Quintus spit blood on the ground at the name, "Another former champion! Fucking reuinion of cunts! So what is this? Can't you see the city has more concerns than your past!"

"She didn't have to die Harmont!" Edward came forward with his stance only to be held back by Vindaes who remained the larger man.

"We are here to see city cleansed of undead, we are here to aid!"

The crimson fighters had been dead silent, unmoving even until now. Their eyes glowed green, letting out wails that caused the group to drop their weapons and hold onto their ears.

"Fuck is this?!" Quintus screamed out.

Vindaes pulled his swords out, sliding over to the two wailing fighters, he'd slice at their necks completely decapitating them. The screaming stopped, immediately Quintus and his champion retrieved their weapons, yet they didn't aim them at anyone; yet.

Vindaes looked over the bodies and the black ichor leaking from their bodies, looking back over to Quintus and the champion. "Bites... Turn you it looks like.. These men had been injured plenty, before we graced your gates."

Quintus aimed his flintlock at Edward's head as he went to get his sword causing him to raise his hands and stand back up. "Were you two bit?" He asked calmly yet so intensely.

"Quintus look at me." Quintus turned and aimed the gun at cocking the pistol Vindaes, "We weren't hurt, we are here to help."

Quintus stood there weighing his options, taking a few seconds to process the information he had presented to him. "In the middle of town, there is a dwarven mechanism. Activate it and an armory will open under the well, that should provide what you need."

The champion looked back over his shoulder at Quintus, knowing the truth behind his lies. Then looking back to Edward and Vindaes for the answer, holding himself in a defensive stance.

Edward thought seriously about testing his speed without the power of the runeblade, and wiped it away as the shit that it was.

Vindaes finally spoke up after an uncomfortable silence, "We'll do it. Is there any other units in town? We need to know because the elves are working with the undead."

"The two you decapitated were the last of my men, besides my champion here. Go... Now, before I shoot you in the head where you stand."

Quintus and Edward stared at each other as Edward went to pick up the runeblade. Aiming the pistol at him right as he places his fingers around the hilt in a kneeling position.

"Lord, don't." Spoke up the champion, putting his left hand over the pistol and pushing it down. Quintus glared at Edward fiercely.

Edward and Vindaes quickly backed out of the room and jogged down to the gate to which did not open immediately.