The Chronicles of Onyx Book Two - Fight of a Hero

Chapter Five

Firelight glistened off a single golden tusk, its menacing gleam cutting through the darkness of the forest. The Orc's eyes, as black as the abyss, were locked onto the dancing flames with an intense focus. His breath hung in the frigid air, like a small cloud of smoke escaping his mouth, a testament to the harshness of winter. It was a season of suffering for many, particularly the farmers, but for a soldier like him, it was ideal.

Winter made tracking easy, the cold left his enemies vulnerable and weak. Well, it would have, had his enemies not been led by Rok, a formidable adversary. Rok was stronger than an ox, and he had been one of the queen's best warriors. He had been a strong leader, a great commander, an unstoppable appoint to any that dare challenge him. Then there was Onyx.

Onyx, whomever she was, whatever she was capable of. Demeter wanted to contain it. Even if it meant her kingdom, her throne. A weak choice in his eyes.

However, he remained intent on finding the girl, bringing her back to the Queen himself. Then, he would take full power, become the greatest king who ever walked among any kin, immortal in history. His name would never die off, that he was sure of.

For now, he found himself in the eastern territory. Where he had sent two of his troops to search. It had been a full summer's harvest since the last time he had caught a glimpse of Onyx and Rok. A long agonizing wait for any sign of them.

But as he kept his eyes alert for signs of Onyx and Rok, he also kept his eyes open in search of the wolves he had encountered once before. Yet even still, it was as though they disappeared. As though it was all in his mind. His only proof was his dead former troop of Orcs, whom had been viciously slaughtered and maimed by the animals. Yet the creatures left no tracks, no visible sign of the beasts he had remembered, that he had fought and merely survived.

-ooooo-

Snow plowed in the wake of a lone Orc as he bolted from something, or someone. The Orc fled, galloping towards Sith with urgent matters. At least, that was Sith's expectation as he watched the Orc with eager eyes.

"Commander!" the Orc yelled as he came within earshot, yet still, he fled like his life depended on it. As a deer from a hunter.

"He is alone... this should be good," Sith thought mincingly, savoring the moment.

"Commander, I bring news of great urgency," the Orc wheezed out as he stopped before Sith, hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.

"What is it Vak?" Sith asked with interest rather than worry.

"I saw her, I saw her," he repeated, as though trying to convince himself that he truly saw her. Sith found it amusing as Vak gasped for breath before him, all from encountering a single girl.

"Did you manage to eliminate her or, at the very least, capture her?" Sith inquired, his tone filled with a sense of anticipation as he leaned in with a predatory glint in his eyes.

Vak straightened, his breath still labored, as he looked Sith in the eyes. "I couldn't, Commander. She's... different. Powerful. She fought off Thrag like he was nothing but a pest."

"And where is he now?" Sith was sure of the answer, but there was nothing more invigorating than seeing fear in the eyes of a soldier.

"Dead, Commander, she's too powerful. It's as if the very elements themselves bow before her. I couldn't bring her down, and I dare not try."

Sith's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. A flicker of annoyance passed across his face before he masked it with a calculated calmness. "Too powerful, you say? No matter, we have other ways of dealing with such matters."

He gestured for Vak to continue, his interest now veiled behind a mask of indifference. "What did you see? Speak quickly."

Vak gulped in a deep breath, the cold air biting into his lungs. "I saw her heading towards the northern territory of the forest"

"Well then," Sith started steadily as he began to unsheathe his sword in a slow motion, "Thank you Vak, but I don't need a cowered to stand by me"

With a flick of his wrist, Sith's sword gleamed in the wintry light, its steel reflecting the cold determination in his eyes black eyes. The Orc, Vak, took a hesitant step back, the realization of his commander's disdain sinking in.

Sith's voice cut through the crisp air, carrying a hint of mockery, "You thought bringing news would earn you favor, protection perhaps? But you've proven yourself useless." He took a deliberate step forward, the snow crunching beneath his boots.

Vak's gaze darted around, searching for an escape route, but the snowy landscape offered no refuge. The chill in the air seemed to intensify, mirroring the tension between the two figures as Sith looked Vak down. Sizing him up.

With a single fluid motion, Sith striked out, lunging like a viper. Cutting across the solders neck, drawing out Crimson blood as Vak's lifeless form fell unforgivingly down towards the frozen ground.

Sith wiped his blade clean on the fallen Orc's tattered cloak, his eyes reflecting the cold ruthlessness of a predator that had just claimed its prey. He glanced down at Vak, to watch as a ruby pool spread across the ice, forming around the fallen solder's body. A stark contrast to the ivory snow that surrounded them, endlessly.