Tempest of War

Chapter 5: Assimilation

          The runner was frantically at the Sky Maiden's feet explaining the situation that the holy lord has witnessed.  The Sky Maiden's hands were over her mouth as she was in shock and awe.  Doran was right beside her not as surprised, but he was listening nonetheless.  They heard all of the horrors that have been described to Kagura.
"This is horrible! Should I send my warriors to help Doran?" She turned to her towering servant.  Her eyes were all teary from her concern for the other people she called friends.
"No my queen.  We must stay put in order to avoid any unnecessary conflict; however, we can send supplies to the other nations if need be.  I'm not risking you or anyone in our kingdom getting hurt or kil-.."  The doors flung open and a couple Avionan elite guards flew back and hit the wall.  They groaned in pain from the blow that had sent them flying through the enchanted wood door.  Black mist trickled through the crevices of the doorway and stopped about halfway through the room.  Everyone froze in fear as the gaseous abyss formed in front of them.
"Ah, the Sky Maiden.  It's so good to see you child.  I presume that man that barely escaped my grasp told you the whole story already? Hmm?" Lord Cheney steps out with three Shadowrath elites out of the mist.  The mist occasionally has red streaks of lightning coursing through it.  Doran steps in front of Queen Wendy to shield her from any attack that the dark ones might immediately send their way.  His serious look on his face gave the dark ones that he was willing to fight for the young queen that was hidden.
"You will not lay a finger on her you demons! Why did you attack Surgeros? What exactly are you trying to prove?" Doran was practically yelling in anger and fear against the dark ones.  Lord Cheney had a wicked grin on his face, and he ordered the elite to seize Doran.  The elite Shadowrath ram their dark adamantium spears into Doran's arms then lift him up and pin him to the other wall.  Queen Wendy was trembling in her cerulean dress and blue flip flops; she had tears in her eyes as the lord of darkness approached her with his scepter in hand.  Doran was grunting loudly in agony; his arms were pinned to the wall by the spears that were impaling his flesh.  He was not bleeding however. All he could do was watch.
"Now my little maiden.  You are going to cooperate with me whether you desire to or not.  You and the others have tarnished my kingdom's name for far too long.  Everything is always my fault isn't it my sweet?" The dark ones runs his finger through her long flowing blue hair; she was paralyzed in fear and weeping.
"P-please...don't hurt me...I swear I'll never talk bad about your kingdom....please...." Queen Wendy begged through her sobbing and turned away from Lord Cheney.  She gasped.  She couldn't move her feet; the dark one had used his sorcery on her to ensure that she did not escape.  There was only word on the dark lord's mind. - Assimilation.
"Now are you willing to cooperate with me and lower your barrier that shields this kingdom of yours, or are you going to defy me?" The dark one whispered in her ear, and she shuddered in disgust and fear.  Queen Wendy's magic protects the sky from being damaged or corrupted.  This is why the dark mist can not expunge her people.
"I can't...I can't..." She broke into a deeper sob; the dark lord watched in amusement and saw her tiny resistance as a for of entertainment.  Doran struggled all he could, but he could not break free from the spears.  Even if he could, the Shadowraths would freeze his shadow.
"Then I guess I'm going to have to make you now aren't I?" Lord Cheney made Queen Wendy face him.  She was weeping still; what an innocent little thing she was.  The dark one made Queen Wendy look up at him.
"Fall to the darkness young one.." The mist lunged slowly forward and engulfed her quickly.  She had no hopes of escape because the restraining magic that Lord Cheney had inflicted upon her.  The mist was slowly forcing its way inside her airway; its goal was to plague her mind.
"No! Stop this! She's just a child! Leave her be! I'm begging you!" Doran was begging the dark one to stop the process, but he turned to face Doran.  Doran was still being pinned against the wall by the shadow spears.
"She is my key to victory.  The dark ones will no longer live in shame or remorse for their existence.  None will oppose me after this key play." Lord Cheney cackled with his staff in hand.  The mist was slowly being inhaled due to Queen Wendy having no more resistance left in her.  Her efforts of resistance were futile.  Immediately after, her hair color faded to a violet color along with her clothing turning into a soft dusk color; there she stood with her eyes closed, and she was looking down.  The dark one grinned at her new form; then he turned to Doran in a gloating fashion.  The Sky Maiden had been assimilated.  Her eyes gentle opened, revealing a solid shade of black instead of her natural eye color.  What a demonic appearance!
"Now dear maiden.  Release your hold on this land.  Let my darkness wreak havoc in your skies.  Let my embrace blot out the sun and ensure no hope of anyone opposing me!" Lord Cheney bellowed in victory.  He laughed and awaited her to follow his command.
"As you wish, oh great Dark One." She spread out her arms and the atmosphere was manipulated; Doran could feel her hold on Aviona slipping away.  The sky began to form clouds as black as the void; the people of Fiore were gazing upon it.  Lord Cheney patted her on the head as she was working; then he turned to Doran who was powerless against the wall.  Crimson colored lightning began crashing down.
"Don't you see? This is the end of you fools making a mockery of the darkness and evil that exists by my forbearance."  The doors flung open and a extremely muscular man with lightning surging from his physique stood before him.
"Cease this madness dark one, and I will ensure your death will be painless and quick." It was General Laxus of the Thunder Brigade; the strongest general in Fiore.  Lord Cheney appeared disgusted by his hulking mass of muscle and armor; he was not impressed.  Just before he could speak, the general struck Lord Cheney in the stomach sending him into the wall with a crack.  Lord Cheney grunted in pain; then he stood up as he was Aguaos and Char guards behind the general.
"Very impressive brute force.  It alone, however, will not defeat me.  The sky is already corrupted.  Feel the wrath of the Corrupted Sky! Now my puppet!" The new Wendy directed both of her fists at Laxus, and crimson lightning struck all of them with a crushing blow.  Laxus was distracted while inhaling the lightning; meanwhile, Lord Cheney propped himself up on his scepter and put his arm on the little corrupt girl that was once a loving queen.  The dark girl rose her arms and both of them faded like the wind.  The soldiers that were behind Laxus lay injured from the corrupt lightning while Laxus stood unharmed.
"You cowardly monster.  That little girl will not be your puppet for long."  The Shadowwrath guards that were impaling Doran faded; thus Doran was released from restraint.  He had no flesh wounds, yet he felt defeated and weak.
"Laxus...rescue her..I need to take time and recuperate. I'll ensure these soldiers get some attention too.  Stay out of the sky; it's too dangerous..." Doran spoke with a hint of pain in his voice.  Laxus merely nodded and left the room.  The sun was completely blotted out, making it nearly impossible to see.  The Maiden of the Sky was assimilated into the shadows; consequently, she left the sky an endless void.  With no sunlight, Surgeros is powerless, and the people of every other nation, except Slayn, were nearly blinded by the vast darkness.  Lord Cheney wanted to conquer all of Fiore to exact his revenge on the Parthenon; at this rate, he was well on his way.