The Elements of Zion: The Vine, The Branch, and The Thorn

Chapter 16 Never Walk Alone

The air was thick with tension as we stood on the deck of King Triton's magnificent ship, the wind whipping through the sails. As we drew closer to the shore, the Thorn King's influence could be felt like a creeping chill in the air. Trose's feathers ruffled, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon as the Azurian fleet loomed closer, their sails billowing in the distance. With the shores of Heaven's landing coming into view all of us could sense the evil difference in appearance of the city now.

As Heaven's landing came into view, the once peaceful and ethereal city now appeared dark and foreboding. The buildings were crumbling, their once white walls now blackened and charred. The once gleaming temples now appeared dark and chilling, with jagged edges and crumbling walls where thorns had overtaken the structures. The taste of bitterness filled our mouths as if the darkness and corruption of the city had tainted even the air we breathed.

Trose landed with a soft thud on the deck, his talons digging into the wood. I stood before him, my heart heavy with the burden of my past as a war veteran. Memories of fallen comrades and lost battles flooded my mind, mingling with the present danger of facing the Thorn King's ruthless army again.

I turn to Liamaris, clad in his armor, and give him a solemn nod. We both know our best chance at victory lies in luring our enemies out into the open. But as I look back at Trose, I can't help but feel uneasy.

"I don't sense Dove's presence anymore".

Trose meets my gaze head-on, a glint of understanding in his steely blue eyes. He grunts, a short, decisive sound, then leans in and says in a low rumble, "Aye, I might just have a notion where ye can find Him."

We exchange a knowing glance before turning to face our mission ahead. Once we infiltrate the city and sound the alarm, there will be no turning back for us.

King Triton, perched on his throne, boomed in a voice laced with experience. "Aye, those thorny devils are as loyal as a barnacle to a shipwreck! They'll throw themselves at us without a second thought, the blighters. But here's the catch: the moment those prickly fiends touch any light, they erupt in flames! Turns them into even nastier buggers than they were before. Nasty business indeed."

Prince Liamaris voice rang out like a pirate rallying his buccaneers before a raid. "Ahoy, me hearties!" he boomed. "Sharpen yer cutlasses and nock yer arrows, 'cause we ain't letting those prickly scallywags sink our ships, no siree! We need to be swifter than a mermaid on a treasure hunt to keep those landlubbers at bay!" He then gestured grandly towards the cannons. "And don't forget about the big guns, lads! We gotta be prepared for any sky rats that might come swoopin' down from the clouds. Fire and fury for those who dare threaten our skies!"

Trose's gaze turned to fire and locked on Liamaris. He jabbed a finger towards the prince, his voice a rough growl. "Aye, I'll fight tooth and nail to stop this blight, but my oath to protect Isaac comes first. I won't be strayin' far from his side." Then, he whirled back to me,  "Lad, I won't let ye down again, mark my words."

I placed my fist over my heart, "You never let me down," I whispered.

"Avast, avast, enough of this landlubber talk of duty and sacrifice,"  Liamaris exclaims playfully. He shifts his attention to Maridel who has remained silent throughout our conversation. "Now you, Maridel," he says, tapping his chin with a finger, "outcome of this scuffle be damned, you make sure you keep a salty eye on the old man. Wouldn't want him to go blundering off and getting himself into Leviathans maw now, would we?"

Maridel quipped with a smirk, "Your father may be getting on in years, but he's still got more wins under his belt than any other king in the lower realm. I have no doubt he'll be keeping a watchful eye on us."

As the preparations for the impending battle reached a crescendo, a sudden shift in the air made everyone pause. The once calm sea beneath the Azurian fleet began to churn and froth as if stirred by unseen hands. The sailors, gripped with fear, rushed to the sides of their ships, expecting an attack from an unknown enemy.

But what emerged from the depths was the Azurian symbol of power and majesty.

A massive shadow rose from the sea, its scales gleaming in iridescent hues of blue and green under the light of the rising sun. Leviathan breached the surface with a growl that shook the fleet of vessels within its midst.

The sailors gasped in awe and terror as they beheld the sheer size and majesty of the Leviathan. Its eyes, deep as the abyss, surveyed the chaos unfolding on the deck of the ships. With a flick of its enormous tail, it sent waves crashing against the Azurian fleet.

King Triton stood tall, his gaze fixed on the mighty Leviathan as it emerged from the depths like a force of nature incarnate. The sea around him seemed to bow in reverence to the ancient creature, its scales shimmering like precious gems under the morning light.

"A sign from the deep, I tell ye!" King Triton declared, his voice cutting through the chaos like a cutlass through sailcloth. "The mighty Leviathan has finally hauled its enormous backside outta the depths! Seems the beast recognizes the stink of evil a mile away and has come to lend a scaly hand in this fight against the shadows."

Prince Liamaris, his eyes burning with a newfound fire, hoisted his sword high above his head. The movement sent a ripple of excitement through the ranks.  "Azurian's!" he boomed, his voice laced with the salty tang of the sea and the thrill of an impending battle. "The time has come to cut those thornies down to size once and for all! Remember the courage that runs through your veins, the honor that guides your blades! Victory's ours for the taking, but only if we fight together like the strong current that pulls a ship onward! Now raise yer swords high, and let the prickly bastards know what true warriors look like!"

The sailors, once gripped by fear, now found themselves emboldened by the presence of the Leviathan. They manned their posts and readied their weapons, their resolve strengthened by the awe-inspiring sight before them.

As I boarded the smaller vessel with the Azurian army a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"I cannot bear to see any of you falter," he choked out, tears glistening in his ancient eyes. "The Rose of Life needs me, but more importantly, I cannot let you face this alone, my boy."

I turned to face him, my heart heavy and conflicted. "Oak, listen up," I said, voice low and tight. "There's a chance things might go south with the fleet, so I need you to stick by them. Keep 'em safe if all hell breaks loose, alright? Trose will have my back, I trust him with my life." But deep down, I couldn't shake off the feeling that history was repeating itself, and I was once again sending Oak away, helpless to protect him just like before.

The Oak's leaves seemed to sigh in resignation, rustling softly in the breeze as if weighed down by the burden of his duty. "So be it," he murmured, "I shall hold steadfast with the fleet, and may my roots anchor them to safety in the storm that approaches. But know this, Issac, you carry the strength of your ancestors within you. Face the enemy with courage and the light of truth in your heart."

I felt a sense of bittersweet familiarity wash over me as I approached the towering Oak of Truth, his branches reaching out like protective arms. Without hesitation, I enveloped the ancient tree in an embrace, feeling the rough bark beneath my hands.

I looked up at his face, all weathered and wise, and squeezed out a mix of thanks and sadness. "I can't thank you enough for always havin' my back, for showin' me the way out of the darkness all this time. You taught me so much, and I carry that strength and wisdom with me everywhere I go."