Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 20: The Last Battle

Lost Temple

Pethos awoke to the sounds of footsteps coming down the stairs. He realized he was chained by his wrists to a pillar of the temple. He looked to see the Shadow enter the room and walked up to him.

Shadow:
Good your awake, and just in time too.

Pethos:
Just in time for what? What do you want with me?

Shadow:
Isn't it obvious?

The shadow laughed and held out his hand as smoke formed into shapes.

Shadow:
I'm going to revive my master. You see there is a ritual to bring him back, but requires a sacrifice. Once you have died, he will return and rule over all of Calradia!

Pethos:
You won't get away with this! Someone will stop you!

Shadow:
And who would that be? Whoever it is I hope they put up a better fight than.......your father.

Pethos suddenly felt as though he had been stabbed. He thought of what could have happened and how the Shadow knew this.

Shadow:
Yes......I struck him down with my own sword. He was a good fighter, but that could only get him so far.

Pethos:
Your a monster! I'll kill you!

Shadow:
Hahaha, fool, I'm already dead.

The Shadow then took his hands and lowered his hood. He then did the same and removed his mask, revealing a horribly disfigured face.

Shadow:
This is what dark magic has done to me! It was worth it in the end.

The Shadow placed his mask and hood back where they went and used his magic to drag Pethos behind him. They arrived at a new area of the temple where there was an altar drawn and Balcodor's body was taken to. The Shadow magically put Pethos in the altar where he could not leave.

Shadow:
It's time to revive the master. Begin the ritual!

The many cultists all stood around the altar and held out their arms. The Shadow began speaking an incantation and smoke appeared around his hands. As the other cultists followed Balcodor's body rose from the ground and Pethos felt his body begin to strain slowly. As the ritual continued everyone felt confident until the temple began to shake.

Just outside the temple the six armies in Calradia waited to attack. At the front, Emperor Vadrios, King Mengus, Sultan Jawwal, King Amorcon, Prince Harald and Kaigan Khan all waited outside of the temple with their men readying to fight.

Vadrios:
Here we are, this fight will end all others. Say your last words to your men before we begin.

The six rulers all turned around and faced their men.

Vadrios:
Remember, this may be our last battle, whether we win or die, we will have defeated a powerful enemy. For Calradia!

Jawwal:
We may have our differences, but we will fight for our home.

Mengus:
They may take our men, but they will never take our victory!

Harald:
This will be a battle for the ages. Glory or Valhalla!

Amorcon:
For freedom, glory and honor!

Kaigan:
We are warriors! Never surrender!

After giving word to their soldiers the six all turned back to face the temple. They then all rose their swords and charged to battle. The six armies then began fighting the cultists at the temple, desperately attempting to get inside.

Pethos dropped to the ground and saw the Shadow barking commands at the other cultists to go and fight the soldiers outside. He reached inside his boot and from it retrieved a dagger. In an act of desperation Pethos jumped forwards and tackles the Shadow before putting the dagger in his shoulder. The Shadow pushed him aside and got up to stand across from him.

Shadow:
So I see you think this is over.

Pethos:
You only ever harmed others, now your going to pay.

Shadow:
So blind, but I suppose this will help my master. Very well, let's dance!

The Shadow unsheathed his sword and used his hand to cast a lightning bolt towards Pethos instinctively dodged it. Pethos charged at the Shadow who used his sword to block a hit from Pethos' dagger. The two began dueling one another with their respective weapons. The Shadow uses his sword and it sliced through Pethos' dagger. The Shadow swings his sword down but Pethos dodged and effectively grabs hold of the Shadow's robes, pinning him to a pillar. The Shadow swings his sword to Pethos who slams his fist into his shoulder and makes him drop the sword. The Shadow manifests two fireballs and shoot Pethos, only for him to jump out of the way. Pethos punched the Shadow and knocks his mask off, only to be telekinetically thrown across the room.

Shadow:
I must say I'm impressed, but this ends now!

The Shadoe begins casting various spells but Pethos runs and grabs the Shadow's fallen sword. He then runs to the Shadow and drives the sword through his stomach. He removes the sword and the Shadow falls backwards onto the altar. As the Shadow died the men of the armies finished the other cultists. Sora tan up the stairs and the siblings saw each other.

Sora:
Pethos!

Pethos:
Sora?

The two ran towards each other and embraced the other in a hug. Pethos looked and saw Presciana, Vadrios and Alea all join them upstairs. He hugged them all, happy to once again see his family.

Pethos:
It's over now.

Over the passing months the armies and finally left and returned to their home lands. After this the Empire held a feast to celebrate their win. Pethos finally settled down and managed to see his family once again. While all of Calradia is safe for now.....something dark is about to rise once again.

The end