The Realm War:Chronicles of Illirian Book 1

Chapter 16:Knight Fall

A month passed, during which Dyrakos conquered Jorkal and Altaarium, after taking huge casualties due to intense resistance, that left the two realms in ashes. Lidaer and Kveaita fell soon after, as did Rokotai. Vanraael was now the only free realm, and thus, the target for the remainder of the Dyrakos armada that had joined the defense of Angver.

"Commander, there is a call coming in." "Patch in through."

Commander Orvelios and Chief Gyeran, along with Tairon, Veira and Lumaira stood on the bridge. The hologram of Admiral Lok appeared. "Commander Orvelios, the Dyrakos are planning to invade Vanraael. Admiral Rokal had been killed. The remainder of the fleet that attacked Angver, along with Commander Teitar and Commander Etreon are with me. You must join us. We need all of our remaining forces if we are going to hold Vanraael. Many of our spies sacrificed themselves so that we have a chance. Let us come together, and push the Dyrakos back, once and for all. Before you go, Kilor and Kelja had been separated, and are pursued by Commander Elsurn. They are in Talzor Forest. Retrieve them as soon as possible." "We are on our way" Orvelios replied.

...

Kilor deflected another shot, and burned a group of soldiers with a burst of fire. Kelja unleashed a torrent of silver lightning, killing another group. Then, beams of dark and light energy launched at them. They blocked with a wall of light, barely sustaining the defense, before the attack faded away.

Commander Elsurn came forward, and raised his hand, stopping the soldiers. "Greetings, Aervel Knights. It is time we finally meet" he said.

Kilor and Kelja raised their staffs, and released beams of aquamarine and silver energy. Elsurn casually blocked with a dark energy shield, stunning them. "I am the most powerful Commander. The Emperor of Dyrakos granted me abilities you couldn't even dream of. You are no match for me" he said, striding forward, sunsword in hand. "Bring it on, then" Kilor taunted.

Elsurn smirked slightly, and attacked.

The two cousins quickly found them on the losing end, unable to coordinate with each other. He attacked with lightning fast strikes, not giving them space or time. Kilor tried to attack with his own magic, but Elsurn melted the ice shards and sent out a thick green mist, which created boils and bubbles of yellow liquid as it came in contact with his skin, turning it a sickly green and yellow. The stench disrupted Kilor's concentration, arresting the flow of power within him. Kelja met the same fate, though she managed to clear her head for long enough to distract Elsurn with a torrent of lightning. She then killed the nearest soldiers with energy balls from her staff and sent a torrent of healing energy to Kilor.

They created some distance and drank from their flasks, replenishing some energy.

The mist came at them again, however, stronger this time, though Elsurn stopped it from killing them. He created vines, which launched at them, separating them. He attacked with his sword, targeting Kilor, after throwing her back with an air blast.

Kilor struggled to repel his assault, exhausted by the mist. Elsurn bashed him on the temple with the flat of his sunsword, and the golden energy burned him, leaving a permanent scar. He delivered several blows to his shoulders and a powerful blow to his torso, though Kilor's armor saved him from death. "Streokal" Elsurn said, sending Kilor to the ground with a strong slam kick. Vines wrapped around him, pinning him in place.

Kelja attacked Elsurn from behind, distracting him. She attacked with ferocity, which surprised Elsurn, but he held his ground, and pushed her back with a fire bloom.

She attempted to cast lightning, but not even a spark came out. Elsurn's mist had done its damage.

He directed vines at her, raising her in the air. The vines slowly choked her, and she slumped over, her body hanging limply. Thinking she was dead, Elsurn released her.

Kilor tapped into his inner power, and in desperation, released it in a burst of fire, burning the vines. He retrieved his staff and attacked Elsurn. The fury that rose when he saw Kelja's still body strengthened his resolve, and he poured energy into his speed and strength. Elsurn wielded fire, but Kilor sent ice at him, colliding with his palm before a single spark could come out.

Elsurn suddenly teleported behind him, and created a hole in the ground. Kilor barely managed to climb out, and was immediately hit with vines and the mist.

As the fury within him died down, all his power faded away, and once more, Elsurn had him at his mercy, with his sunsword inches away from his neck.

"Your cousin is dead. The last allied stronghold will fall today. Dyrakos will put the realms under its control, and all resistance shall be wiped out. You and your belligerent friends can not stop us. And now, you die" he said, raising his sunsword, and the golden blade descended on Kilor's neck. The Knight's body fell, and moved no more. Elsurn knelt and closed his eyes, and placed his staff in his hands, folding them over his chest. "Farewell" he said, turning back.

"Not so fast, Commander" he heard Orvelios's voice behind him.

He sighed, and turned. "Commander Orvelios, I did not expect to see you here" Elsurn said. "I know. You shall pay for your betrayal" she responded. "You? You are strong, but alone, you stand no chance. It is best for you to leave now, while you still can" Elsurn said, twirling his sunsword.

"You are right. Which is why I came with help" Orvelios said. Lumaira, Tairon, Veira and Chief Gyeran stood with her, their weapons raised. "So be it" Elsurn said, and the fight began.

Elsurn targeted Chief Gyeran first, as she was the weakest of the five. He bulldozed through her fire shields, executing her with a quick thrust to the heart. Veira struck him with a torrent of red fire and lightning, which he repelled with his palm. Tairon and Lumaira unleashed beams of blue and purple energy, which he evaded. Commander Orvelios attacked head on, showering him with ice and sunsword strikes, keeping him at bay. Veira came from behind and burned his arm with a torrent of fire. Elsurn pushed her away with an air blast and released a lightning storm, followed by mist and vines.

Lumaira created a wall of air and light, and froze the mist in ice. Tairon enhanced his strength and speed, and propelled himself forward with air, tackling Elsurn to the ground. Elsurn rolled away and said "Teotaires", but Tairon ignored the attack and said "Kressureo", ripping metal out of the soldiers' guns and sent it at him. "Heilas" he said, restoring some of his strength.

Commander Orvelios sent Elsurn to his back with an air wave and, as he got back to his feet, electrocuted him. Lumaira, Veira and Tairon joined in, but Elsurn released a cloud of mist, which Lumaira again suppressed.

"Por- Tairon tackled him before he could finish his spell. Elsurn managed to throw him off, and slammed an earth fist into him, pinning him to the ground with vines. Veira and Commander Orvelios launched at him, but he deflected their attacks and impaled Veira in the chest, pushing Orvelios away. Veira unleashed her magic, but Elsurn repelled it and withdrew his sunsword, slicing through her heart on the way. At that moment, Lumaira hit him with a purple energy beam, burning straight through his neck.

She, Tairon and Commander Orvelios picked up the bodies of Kilor, Veira, Chief Gyeran and Kelja, and went to their ship.

...

Kelja woke in a dark green room, and sat up, looking around. She saw three long black bags, all zipped.

She heard voices outside, and said "Haarven", but the enhancement didn't come, as if something was blocking her magic.

Commander Orvelios entered the room.

"Commander? Who- "Sh" Orvelios said. Kelja gave her a pleading look, though she already suspected the answer. "We arrived too late. Elsurn had already killed Kilor. I, Tairon, Chief Gyeran, Veira and Lumaira fought him. Chief Gyeran and Veira were killed, though Lumaira managed to end Elsurn. I am sorry" Orvelios said. Kelja gulped, and looked at the bag right next to her. "What now? What chance do we have?" she finally said. "Not much. But some. Our remaining forces are gathered in Korukal. It is our last stronghold. We are on the way there. The Dyrakos shall attack soon. This will be our only chance to push them back, before we are separated again" Orvelios said. "Then we shall face them together" Kelja said, her resolve strengthened.