Of Realms and Relics

A Hard Truth

Ander and Alain stood fixated on the growing monstrosity that crested the horizon. Towns folk and shop keepers panicked all around them running for cover as the warning horns bellowed from the walls in front of them.

Ander spun around, everything was chaos. He turned back to the horizon and gasped as Shathari hung in the air and let forth a massive green ball of fire. Was it fire? He had never seen anything like this in his life, and the only knowledge he had of Shathari were all from the tales his mother told when he was being put to sleep as a child.

Alain grabbed his arm and snapped him out of his trance, "Ander...is this real?"

The ball of green fire soared overhead as both turned and watched its trajectory. It collided with the Meeting Hall tower, tearing away huge chunks of stone that fell below onto the honor guard at the entrance of the hall. Bits of the green fire fell on the men too, as they screamed in pain and collapsed.
"This...can't be." Ander said in shock.

Alain pulled his arm again and shouted, "Lyn was going to see her father! All of the Kings were in that tower!"

Ander shook his head, clearing the shock of what was happening. "Alain, we have to go there. We have to make sure everyone is ok."

Alain nodded and they both took off in a full sprint towards the tower.
"What's the plan? Will the honor guard let you pass?" Alain said as they ran.

"If they don't, I need you to erase yourself. We have to get inside."
Ander's armor clanked as he ran, and it became the rhythm he concentrated on.

His mind was reeling, trying to understand what was happening. Just moments ago he was enjoying the day and training. He had just seen Lyn and if that ball of green flame had...he couldn't think that way. He had to remain positive. What was Shathari doing and why was he here? All of the stories had said he was locked away in the realm of banishment.

As they turned a corner and came to the entrance of the meeting hall all sane thought left him. The honor guard were fighting each other!
"What in the name of creation? What are they doing Alain?"

Soldiers with missing arms, and some with green fire still burning on them, were fighting to get to the door. Was the fire doing something?

They paused, watching the fight. One soldier with his arm missing was run through with a spear but he kept on fighting. Something was definitely not right.
"The fire is doing something to them. Do you think you can get by them if you erase?"

Alain watched the fight with a look of worry all over his face. He reached to his sides and pulled two curved daggers from their sheaths.
"We are going to find out. What will you be doing?"

Ander hadn't thought about it, but he would have to do something. He drew his sword and without warning he charged, yelling as he ran straight into the fight. He ran with his sword held by both hands and loosely held to his right. Lowering his shoulder, he rammed into the soldier with the spear through his torso.

He would let his training guide him, and trust his instincts. He had to get inside of the tower and find Lyn. Nothing would stand in his way.

The soldier spun and Ander stepped back in surprise. His face was almost melted away, he was missing an arm and had a spear piercing his torso. How was he still fighting?

The soldier swung his short sword in a downward cut. Ander pushed the swing aside with an easy parry and kicked the soldier in the stomach. Black muck spewed from it's mouth, but it swung again. This time almost catching Ander off guard. He spun out of the way and swung his sword, biting deep into the soldier's side.