Tempest War

Chapter 24

In Taigea, the group was in some Suvaran city. They needed to get to Syrth, a city in the middle of the Suvaran Desert. It wasn't going to be easy, Perun likely had the whole city on lock. The trek was less than exciting with everybody left to their own devices, the silence was almost unbearable.

"Do we even know where Syrth is?" Rhys finally interrupted the silence. We had been walking for hours with no actual progress.

Nobody replied. "That would have been nice to know before we left the town!" Caspian was slightly agitated.

"Never fear, the powerful, knowledgeable, and heir to Suvara is here to save you!" Rai showed up at the top of a dune. He leaped down from his position, landing in front of us.

"Thanks for the assist," Kirin nodded towards the young man. Rai smiled happily and began leading the group in the opposite direction they were headed in. Rai seemed confident, much more so than the rest of the group.

"Perun is plotting something devious, all of his assets are perfectly poised, ready to do exactly as he commands. He has a lot of filler, a lot of stall material. Be careful. The Hellbeast is meant to be a distraction as are Asami and Aeris. Please stop my brother," Rai seemed determined to see his brother fall.

"We'll be careful, we've already got a counter-plan prepared," Rai seemed relieved at the words.

"He may be my brother, but Perun must be defeated at all costs," Rai's resolve strengthened further. He stopped when we reached the outskirts of the village.

Syrth was once a village, but it had been turned into a military base. At the very back, a large stage with multiple gadgets, each of them playing a monumental role to the Thunder Coin and the Tempest Apocalypse. The houses had been rearranged so the middle of the town was open for various transportation methods.

The stage was adorned with all sorts of banners hailing Perun as the 'Chosen One'. On the stage, Asami and Aeris flanked Perun, who was standing in the middle of the stage. He was preparing to give a speech.

"Let's get closer, we should probably hear his villainous monologue," Caspian seemed eager to hear what Perun had to say knowing half of it was probably hot air.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Today I have a special speech prepared for all of you," Perun took the mic off its stand and began walking around the stage. "You who are gathered here today, believe that Taigea would be better off with a monarchy, that the system would be much smoother." Perun stopped and looked into the crowd. "Well, the Tempest Apocalypse will seek just that kind of future. With the power of the fully revitalised Thunder Coin, I will bring about the Tempest Apocalypse and rewrite this world in my image!" Perun flung his arms wide and the crowd cheered widely. "You are probably wondering why I am holding this speech in the first place, it is because rapid developments have been made. We have the Crescent Moon Blade in our possession and more than that, we are raising a Hellbeast. Anybody who dares cross us or tries to stop the inevitable future will be cut down!" Perun's followers cheered even louder. They seemed to really be getting into the fighting spirit. "However, there is a slight issue. I am not in possession of the Thunder Crown." Perun did some more pacing. "You, my fellow devotees, are going to find the Thunder Crown for me. It is nearby, the group that is hiding it is nearby. The first person or group to bring me the Thunder Crown will be rewarded handsomely." The whole crowd tensed up in excitement. "Let the hunt begin."

The entire crowd dispersed immediately, some of them gathering weaponry while others planned to use their magic and fists. "Perun's just sent a manhunt after us." Caspian's face was pale.

"Though I have to admit, that was one of the better villainous monologues I've heard," Tsuki just had to state it.

"We should get going, we have much to accomplish and very little time to do it," Keres started scooting around their hiding place. "We'll go right for the Hellbeast. If we can stop it before it even materialises that'll be amazing, but that's unlikely."