8: Darken, The Fall of The Great Dragon

Chapter twenty: War (Alexander)

In my sister's throne room, she sat upon her throne, encircled by bones. The familiar faces of our deceased loved ones and yellow-robed cultists surrounded her.

She wore a fully black bodysuit with integrated feet covers and gloves, covering her entirely except for her head. The material is resistant to being easily cut by a blade. Her face was concealed by an Obsidian Glass Helmet adorned with Dragon Steel accents and spikes, except for two eye holes linked to a slit running from her nose to the base of her chin. A hole at the top accommodated a ponytail, as well as two holes for her golden horns the twisted around her head like two crowns.

She dons an Obsidian Glass Breastplate with shoulder pauldrons, embellished with Dragon steel accents, and a corset that seems rigid yet allows free movement. Her arms are encased in Obsidian Glass Vambraces with Dragon steel detailing, extending to her elbows, integrated with Gauntlets. Her mobility remains unimpeded. The Obsidian Glass Greaves, reinforced with Dragon steel, shield her knees and transition into heeled boots. Her large, batlike and golden wings made her look bigger then she was. Her armor, while unnecessary for protection, is worn solely to command intimidation.

I surveyed the room; we were encircled by cultists. She had anticipated our arrival, yet our planning had been meticulous. Who had informed her?

i readied my sword and yelled the order, "Attack!" 

With that, all the offensive fighters began their assault, wielding their powers and weapons against both the corpses and the cultists. The defensive fighters erected shields around the main group, preparing us to attack my sister when the moment was right.

Alexandria stood from her throne and begun to laugh, speaking clearly amongst the fighting. "You have walked into my trap, give me Alexander or you will all die."

No one had listened; they tore down the corpses with ease. I have yet to find my children or friends among the dead, but they were all Darkens, identifiable by their yellow-blond hair.

I looked at Thorne; his face had turned pale. Approaching the protective bubble were the bodies of Lilliana and Carlisle, their flesh decaying where it was visible.

"Lily...." Throne took a step forward, looking into his wife's eyes. He pulled his daggers from his boots and in one quick movement threw them into Lilliana's skull. 

"Are you okay?" i asked my friend. 

"I am," he answered. "Her soul was not in there; I could see that in her eyes."

I turned to Lunar, who had fallen to his knees, sobbing. James rushed over and severed Carlisle's head from his body.

"You're okay, Lunar," James reassured, helping Lunar to his feet. "That was not Carlisle; it was just an empty shell."

"You're right," Lunar nodded. "Thank you."

"Fine," i heard my sister say loudly, her body beginning to glow. "dont say i did not warn you." 

"Keep the shield strong!" I yelled to Christian, Milena and Vivienne, who were defending against weapons and magic, respectively.

In an instant, all who were outside of the shield fell to the ground, dead; there were about thirteen who had fallen.

"Shit," I heard James mutter. From the corner of my eye, I spotted figures in black and yellow cloaks leaving the throne room.

"Keep fighting," I ordered the group. I looked to James, "I will deal with the head cultist and be right back. Keep command here."

James nodded, and I ran out, weaving between those fighting, and exited the throne room.

I reached the hall to find the two figures waiting for me. "Good to see that you got the hint. I wish to talk," said the one in the black robe.