The Lands of Ralosia & Ranuulo (Books 1-3)

Sacred Weapons Chapter 6- Tortus

~Chapter 6- Tortus~

         Lunahreim watched the battlefield. The pitiable army the people of the Lands of Ralosia had mustered to face them stood no chance. There were certainly a few exceptional individuals among them, but that doesn't make an army.

         When Lunahreim saw Zantii lop off the arm of the prestigious headmistress of the Fighting Academy, he knew they won this battle. He cut down the ranks of the enemy with ease. With Ranuulo's sword, he was practically unstoppable.

         Through the chaos of the battle, Lunahreim saw Lucar and Razan, his old students. The two brothers fared well in the battle, doing all they could to defend those around them.

         The Regenek General Ongola moved in on Razan and proved herself superior to him. While Razan certainly put his training to good use, he couldn't stand up to her. Lunahreim was tempted to rush to his aid, to tell him to leave the battle and run to safety.

         But someone saved him first.

         A red-haired girl wearing golden gauntlets killed Ongola with two blows. It was the same girl who had shattered the barrier, the one called Corri. She didn't kill Ongola using her own power, but that of Ralosia's gauntlets.

         Her presence here... complicated things.

         Even Lunahreim was too anxious to approach the girl; he knew what those gauntlets were capable of. She tore through Zantii's army until she faced the King himself.

         Lunahreim needed to stop them, he couldn't allow Zantii to die yet. But he handled himself well. The weapons were equal in power, but the warriors were not. His superior skill, speed, and strength kept him in control.

         Before the red-haired girl could be killed, the Water Deity Tortus intervened. He funneled water from Challenger's Lake and created a wall of water between Corri and Zantii.

         "Flee! Flee to the north!" Tortus cried. His booming voice could be heard over the battle, and the people of the Lands of Ralosia ran.

         Lunahreim hurried to Zantii's side, "That's the Water Deity! Kill him before he escapes!"

         Zantii nodded. They bounded towards the water barrier before them and burst through it. Lunahreim and Zantii sprinted through the terrain, paying no mind to those in retreat. As they ran, channels of water moved through the air from the lake and splashed down around them.

         Tortus was visible at the lake's edge. His eyes glowed as he commanded the water around him. Zantii flourished his sword, avoiding the water being propelled at him, and bounded towards him.

         It was over in an instant. The sword was drawn across the large turtle's throat, and its head slumped down on the shore. Tortus's eyes stopped glowing, and the water he was commanding drooped down.

         Lunahreim knelt near the dying Tortus, its eyes slowly dimming. He couldn't help but feel bitter about this victory. He said, "I'm sorry, but this was the only way this was going to end."

         The life left Tortus's eyes. The Water Deity was dead.

         Zantii flourished his sword which was glowing with vibrant red light. "These 'deities' have proved themselves worthless. If the last one is anything like the others, we shouldn't have much trouble."

         Those that defended Challenger's Lake fled north, leaving Zantii and his army to overtake the area and strip it of supplies. Challenger's Isle was ransacked, the tournament grounds there damaged. They made camp around the lake with the intent of continuing north in the morning towards Dialtown.

         That night, Lunahreim dug up a great hole and buried Tortus's body, away from Zantii and his army. Though they were enemies, he always had a modicum of respect for him. But it had to be done.

         Once Zantii slayed the Sky Deity with the sword... his purpose might finally be fulfilled.

         As Lunahreim covered the entirety of Tortus's body in dirt, he heard someone approaching him.

         "Lunah?" A familiar voice said behind him.

         He peeked behind him and saw two men of black hair. Razan and Lucar, his old students, had found him.

         Lunahreim sighed, "Boys, you know I hate that nickname."

         Lucar hurried to Lunahreim, grabbed him by the shoulders, and turned him around so he could look him in his eyes, "I knew it was you! I was sure I saw you during that battle!"

         Lucar wrapped his arms around him and held him for a moment, and Lunahreim lightly put one arm around him.

         It had been over a decade since they separated at the Link Temple. Of course Lunahreim checked on them over the years, but always at a distance. His intent was not to cause them any more trouble.

         Lucar released his old teacher and asked, "Where've you been all these years?"

         "More importantly, why were you fighting with that other army?" Razan spoke up, his tone much harsher. He was clearly angry about him for disappearing for all that time. Lunahreim never wished it to be the case, but he knew these two saw him as a sort of father figure.

         "...You won't be able to understand..." Lunahreim uttered.

         "Understand what?" Razan snapped.

         Lunahreim sighed, "You two need to run. Take who you care about with you and get clear of the army. Where are Vos and Diva?"

         "In prison."

         "Break them out and make sure they stay clear of this fight. After it's over, you can head to the Lands of Ranuulo to find your sons. They should be safe until then."

         Lucar looked at him with worried eyes, as if he was a child looking for answers from a parent, "You saw our sons?"

         "Are you behind this?" Razan asked pointedly.

         Lunahreim rubbed his temples and paced for a moment, "After all this is over, the world will be a better place. You just need to trust me. Get somewhere safe until then."

         "We need more of an explanation than that!" Razan shouted, gripping Lunahreim by the arm. He tore away from his grip.

         "You better get clear before the Zantii's army catches you... I won't be able to save you then," Lunahreim said as calmly as he could. Without another word he made his way back towards Challenger's Lake. Razan and Lucar didn't follow.

         It wasn't the friendliest of reunions... but he was glad to talk with them. Razan was as stubborn and forthright as ever, and Lucar still had that same innocence about him. Even after all they went through.

         He hoped they'd heed his warning, but he had to follow through with his plan regardless. For the sake of everyone, he needed to fulfill his purpose.