Tales of the Vangen: The Siege of Middengard (Book 2)

Chapter 69: Torn Free

"For nearly a quarter century I have waited for this moment." The Emperor turned, one hand gripping at the sword in his guts. "I will not let a simple upstart impede my return." With an agonizing squeal he ripped the blade free, tossing it carelessly aside.

"As if I'd simply wear another collar," Libro told him. "One master is enough for me."

"Silence!" The Emperor roared. He drew his own blade, a massive wedge of blade metal forged into a killer's edge. "You will keep her name out of this!"

"Why? Afraid she might come back and finish the job?" Libro could feel his heart beating. It thumped like mad. Brimming with fear, but goddess alive he didn't care anymore. At the very least the Empress was straight forward in her manipulations. This man was simply a bastard through and through.

"I said silence!" The Emperor's voice rose an octave, metal platform vibrating ever so slightly. He took a step, the tip of his sword trained on Libro as if intending to skewer him. He paused as two men shambled their way forward.

"That's far enough," Cent panted out the words. "Not another step forward." He lifted his shield and ax up, but it seemed his will to fight had long since run dry. He looked more ready to collapse and never get back up again.

"Aye," Moss muttered alongside, sounding just as weary, just as tired, and yet would not give ground.

The Emperor paused for a moment, studying the two of them through the inhuman glow in his helmet. Two more stepped beside the guardsmen, one nursing a broken arm, the other using his shield as leverage.

"Stay the feck away from my Captain," Civis growled through gritted teeth.

Nox didn't say anything. Didn't need to. The snarl on his lips spoke for him.

Even Elba, sweet Elba, despite owing him nothing, stood up last and took her place in the line. She stole Libro's sword from his sheath. Plucked it out like she'd done it a hundred times before. She leveled it, keen edge glowing in the forge light.

"Defiance?" The Emperor said after a long, tense silence. "It would seem the Captain's treason has poisoned your minds. These are not the Vangen I once knew." He mimed wiping a tear from his eye. "How can you all be so blind? I am your Emperor!"

"The Emperor is dead!" Civis barked back at him.

"I have been reborn!" The golden aura within the Emperor's chestplate flared to life, filling the chamber with a blinding glow. Libro shielded his eyes, fingers of shadow clawing at his face. "But if you will not listen to reason then I will make you see!" The air around the Emperor's shoulders began to shimmer. Slowly, ribbons of light began to travel down from the Golden Heart, wrapping around his gauntlets. "As your Emperor, I command thee kneel!"

It was as if a bubble burst within the mountain. Libro felt his guts sink into his boots as everyone fell to the ground simultaneously. Weapons flew from outstretched hands. Shields bounced and rolled away. Screams were cut off as faces crunched into the metal platform.

Took everything Libro had just to suck in a breath. Felt like he was deep underwater, the air wheezing from his crushed lungs. He could feel the darkness clawing at the corners of his vision. The Emperor stalked towards him, studying Civis for the briefest moment before stepping over.

"Such betrayal cannot warrant simple replacement. I will need to be thorough when uprooting the weeds choking up my garden." He stopped before Libro. "First you, then the rest of this miserable lot before I set my sights on my old beloved."

Libro snorted out a breath before desperately sucking in more. He wanted to tell the Emperor to go feck himself, but that was damn near impossible right now. His eyes flicked over to his remaining arm, the geometric burn scars still smoking across his skin. Hard to believe his hand had been flayed open once, but something caused the reverse as well. Something he might be able to replicate. Hopefully, the Emperor would be vain enough to try and strangle him a second time.