Maledictus Ignis

Chapter 4: The Day | Part 1: Invasion

An indeterminate amount of time after the previous part.. what's one bad day among many?

It was a rainy night, the rain seemed heavier than normal however.

After a long training session, Cole and Dustin were relaxing in their home, they were both in their rooms trying out new techniques and things to try when they heard what sounded like a horn.

"The hell?" Cole says as he walks out of his room. He looks at Dustin who was just as confused as he was.

Dustin grabbed the umbrella next to the door and headed out with Cole.

-At the bar-

The bar was closed for the day, Alexis and Grayson were cleaning up after hours while Luke was flirting with Alexis when all 3 of them heard a loud horn, although slightly muffled by the rain, it was clearly audible. They all share a look and after finishing cleaning they head out.

-Jeremiah's perspective-

He sat on the bench atop the hill with his mask off, enjoying the sound of the rain when he heard what sounded like.. a war horn?

He almost thought his mind was playing tricks on him but he didn't hesitate, quickly putting his mask back on he got up and nearly left his umbrella on the bench as he ran back to town.

-Cole and Dustin-

The horn sounds a second time, this time louder, they both looked at each-other with confusion, the sound was coming from outside the dome around the town.

Grayson, Alexis and Luke all walk up behind them.

"Hey, you two!" A man shouted.

They turn around. "Grayson?" Cole asked.

"Do you hear that noise?"

"Yeah, it was pretty loud, I'm sure most people heard it."

Many people were exiting their houses looking for the source of the sound.

"Seems so." Alexis says

"Maybe someone's just practicing their trumpet?" Luke says

Alexis and Cole look at him unimpressed.

"What I can't lighten the mood? I mean it's just some horn, I don't know why you guys are taking this so seriously." He says

"Yeah but it's not like something you hear everyday." Alexis said

Cole and Dustin feel a strong gust of wind, turning around they see Jeremiah.

"There you all are! Grouped up nice and well." He says in his usual tone

"Jerry? Something the matter?" Grayson asked

"Indeed, it appears we have intruders." 

"Intruders?" Cole says almost jumping at the words.

"Why yes, and as a matter of fact-"

But before Jeremiah could finish Cole was already running in the direction of the horn.

"Cole?!" Dustin reaches out his hand but is too slow

"Ah, I should've chosen my words more carefully, well I'll keep it short then, the horn signifies an enemy attack, if we catch them before they get into town, perhaps we could cease their advance!" Jeremiah explained

"You know all this how?" Luke asks

"It's easy when you've been through it before." 

"Huh?" 

"No time to dilly dally, let's get a move on!" Jeremiah orders

He then plays a flute, summoning a spectral carriage and horse for them to ride on.

"Whoa.." Dustin said

"I doubt Cole is going to wait for us, he's been waiting for this it seems.. so hop in!" Jeremiah said

They get in the carriage and follow the flaming trail Cole left.

-Cole's POV-

Cole's mind was blank, only one thing in his mind, revenge. He sprinted towards the sound of the horn, as he got closer, it began to sound like a shofar but he would pay it no mind.

As he got closer he saw the town stretch on for miles, then, he exited the dome surrounding the town for the first time. It was like a hologram that he passed through easily, he saw they were actually in the middle of a mountain range, (reminiscent of the grand canyon) as far as the eye could see it was brown hills and mountains touching the skies, even the consistency of the air changed, even the rain had been replaced by dry windy conditions, it seemed like the town was in it's own isolated bubble from the rest of the world.

Cole turned his attention forward, the jarring change from the rain to the dry wind throwing him for a loop, but he was able to see what looked like an army heading straight towards him, but not a modern army with guns and tanks, an old medieval army, complete with horses, swords, spears, and of course, the sound of a war horn.

Cole couldn't believe his eyes, with no modern structures or people around, it was like he was looking straight into the past.

He looked for the face of the man who killed Adrian, but he was nowhere to be seen. It seemed like he wasted his time running out here.

"!!"

His heart skipped a beat as he felt a familiar presence, he was here.

Now more determined than ever, Cole ran directly towards the army, before he realized, he stood right in front of the leader of the army, he was completely decked out in knight armor, his helmet had a slit out the back, and coming out of it was long golden hair flowing down his back like a waterfall, he had a long blue cape, it was clear his armor was in better shape than the rest of his army.

"Hm? Why hello there! Might you be a resident of this village?" The man said looking down atop his horse, his voice loud and bold, like he was proud of his very existence.

The army halted as soon as he did, with a loud clanking of armor, it ceased movement, putting their weapons in rest positions.

"...I'm not here for your dumb army." Cole said looking up at him already tired of this

"Where is your... leader?" Cole asked

"Why, your looking at him!" He responded excitedly

"Wait no I mean-"

Cole immediately regretted his words

"So.. it seems you don't want to deal with my army? Then.."

He hopped off his horse, making a loud thumping noise, his armor clanking and rustling as he stands upright, he was very tall at least Jeremiah's height, if not taller, taking off his helmet he reveals a handsome face, blond hair that flows in the wind gracefully, he had a long scar that looked like someone drew a line directly over his right eye, a large beard, and a smile that seemed to hide his true nature.

Wait, why does this guy sort of look like..

"You will face me! King Arthur, in battle!"

Oh.