Descent into the Abyss

Chapter 20

"What was the War like?" Marcus asked, staring at the sword in his hand under the moonlight.

Kou answered with silence at first, but Marcus felt Kou's memories beginning to take hold. His vision began to blur until darkness, and as he regained his sight, it was now through the eyes of Kou.

The sand stretched an eternity in every direction, only eclipsed by the massive volcano that stood in the distance straight ahead. Dark smoke billowed into the sky, but the light of the suns remained unobstructed. Small dark specks littered the distant desert, their growing numbers striking an uneasy feeling in his, in Kou's, gut.

"There is nothing we can do to help that village," a voice proclaimed to his right.

Turning, he saw comrades donning Rozan armor and weaponry. Two of which ran full sprint into the desert.

"Who were they?" Marcus asked as he watched them collide with the Kovekians Onslaught.

"Two of the younger generation," Kou replied. "Their names were Ke Rin Svo and Ro Dya Reix, but like innumerable others, they lost their lives to the Onslaught."

Marcus continued to observe as Rozans around him conversed, many of which directed grievances towards the duo clashing with the Kovekians.

"We should step in and help..."

"They should know better..."

"They should have waited..."

His body lurched forward, stopped by a single line, "What is your mission, Fay?"

Kou's body turned to face a larger, older Rozan staring down at him through the armored mask. His elder, trainer, and fellow Elite Guard, Un Rya Mel, raised her blackened spear away from the two of them, towards the volcano in the distance.

"To protect and assist the Dai-Lyn in their mission to reclaim the Vul-Kan for the Rozan people," Kou answered, dropping their gaze.

"Because, why?" Rya asked, forcing Fay to confront the truth of the situation.

"With the Vul-Kan once again under our control, innumerable Rozans will become empowered," Kou continued, looking towards the multitudes of Kovekians standing between them and their goal.

"Exactly, my young Rozan," She replied, her spear becoming engulfed in pulsing heat. "One village does not mean to abandon the mission to save our world. Remember this, Un Fay Kou."

Marcus stared out into the desert as fire and lightning filled the sky. His eyes began to adjust, focusing in on the flashes of lighting and explosions of fire and dust. A few moments later and the images of the two Rozans became clear, their battle raging in the distance.

One, Kou's memory stated as Ro Dya Reix, twirled an elongating staff in his hands, lightning coiling around the metal. The primary spear tip continued to spin and transition into what Marcus would deem a bident, lighting sparking between the two tips. As they twirled the staff once more, two Davoons sped forward, eager to kill the Rozan target in front of them. Dya thrust the spear forward, their stance dropping low to the ground as the metal slid through their grip, stopping with a sickening crunch! Ripping it away, Dya spun low to the ground, striking the scaled, muscular legs of the second Davoon. Scurrying to their feet, the Davoon let loose a growl before leaping towards their prey. With a quick adjustment, Ro Dya Reix spun the staff, slamming the end down onto the Davoon's back.

In timed amazement, Marcus saw the second Rozan step into view, slamming the flaming warhammer down into the stunned body of the Davoon. Ke Rin Svo, Kou's memory reiterated, raised the hellish weapon and released a torrent of crimson flames into the sky. Dya jumped back as the warhammer came smashing down, engulfing the growing crowd of Kovekians who stood snaring and snapping at their opponent in Rozan flames. Davoons fled in screeching agony, their burning bodies streaking through the desert, while the Anrines stepped closer to the source of their melting flesh. Blood and limbs scattered amongst the sands of the Rozan desert, while fire and lightning crystalized the dunes around the battle.