Sacred Kingdoms

Chapter 4

Western Eliann blew cold winds in it's vast forests. The early evenings were always cold. However, this night, a diverging force ran through the icy wind: a thief. He ran so quickly that not even the steps he made left sound behind. Clenched in his hands was the artifact he had fought for earlier against the Royal guard. The night was still stood silent even with him in the midst; nature seemed to have no control over this being. The ancient sword  hung onto was especially heavy, but began to illuminate the surrounding dark space with a glow. The thief stopped and glared in horror. He held the sword out with both hands and yelled, "Erebus! Cast over this work of The Mother Sun!". A veil of shadows was brought upon the sword and it thus ceased to glow. The thief stared intensely at the old relic as he tried to calm his beating chest. He also began to hold himself until he ceased shaking. Then, continued to run through the night.

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Both the knights and citizens of West Eliann fought for their lives in the midst of the night. The mages that opposed them fought for something else: their pride. Blood flew through the air, iron clashed, and teeth knashed. In the midst of this, Gale flew through the air, right into the wall of the knights' well. He quickly came to his feet only to be slammed through the brick wall onto the ground. As Gale tried to stand, his state of disorientation would not allow it and he only continued to trip over his own feet. The centaur that hit him charged forward to strike him once more, but Gale clenched his horns and whirled the beast around into a castle wall; the Scindors possessed tremendous power and have always been known for using it alongside their flawless strategies. The beast dissipated on impact to the structure as it was only a summoned creature. It's caster flew down, encountering Gale. Azi was her name. " Having a good spar, sire?", she said. "I figured the Scindor kings had much ample skill in fights. I suppose I have been proven wrong."

"How dare you mock me, child. The last of me has yet to be seen.", said Gale, exasperatedly.

" A child? After leaving you in your current position, I wouldn't give myself such a name."

" You come into my kingdom in attempt to end my life and now you insist on mockery? A child you are indeed."

" Silence, fool."

With a thrust of her palm, Azi summoned flames brighter than the sun. She whipped them at her hated foe with intensity. " Asrigard!", she yelled. The flames overwhelmed Gale despite his attempt to avoid them. Heat alone burned his skin, while the fire ate away at it. 

"It is YOU who will die this night, and awake in a grave of fire and brimstone! You  are the sinner!", said Azi powerfully.

Gale's body gave off a hearty steam as he was burned severely, but that did not keep him from his role as king. He stood up and the burns he carried soon faded.

" My kingdom is under siege by you. My wife and I were attacked in the midst of one of the most important times of our lives.  You  even aim at my life as we speak. Yet I am the sinner? The only sin I will have to atone for is your murder if you do not cease this, girl."

"Audacity as it's best! You dare mock your ancestors with lies?!"

" Of what am I lying, child?"

"You people foresake your own peace? Forsake the Age of Magic despite the many advantages it has brought you? And for what? A chance at power?"

"You haven't answered my question. Why are you here?"

"YOU STOLE THE SWORD!!!"

Azi released a bolt of lightning out of her palm, aimed directly for Gale, to which he responded by deflecting the bolt with his sword. This...was over. Gale immediately raised his sword to which he yelled command.

"STOP! Cease fighting, Eliann!"

The entire body of the kingdom stopped their defense. The mages ceased as well. Azi stood confused, yet still angry.

"What is this? What are you doing?", Azi said hesitantly.

"There is no quarrel between us. There is no sword here either.", said Gale.

" And what makes you think that I'd ever believe that?"

"A sword belonging to Age of Magic would be endowed with abilities beyond my own, that of which I would have definitely applied to this fight. Either that or the blade would be too old for use. I am educated, you know."

The citizens questioned one another on what exactly the attack had been over. The mages came to a conclusion that the citizens did not have it. Azi stood in silent thought. If they didn't have the sword, who did?