Ascendance (The Original Lands: Book 1)

Chapter 5

We all jumped to our feet faster than any of us thought possible. My head jerked around, looking for any damage or danger in the room. I saw none. Zurlian quickly drew his sword. I gasped at the sight of it.

The blade was a mixture of silver with a dark azure trim. It was the most beautiful weapon I have seen. The edge and tip of the blade were the dark blue color, it looked like the blade was illuminated, atleast the blue part. The silver part was just as beautiful. It was a real silverish color, it didn't illuminate but neither did it have to. The color of that part did it for it. The handle of the sword was also silver, but the difference is it actually looked comfortable to grip. Like it was wrapped in some sort of leather, but colored to be the beautiful silver color itself.  The guard on the sword which stood between the handle and the blade itself replicated the color of the trim. 

I stood there in admiration of the weapon, even with the commotion going on. Only then that I realized that there was a commotion that I looked up to see four of the Knights standing by the doorway, their weapons were at the ready. With a mixture of spears and rifle-like guns.

Wulf was on the radio, attempting to find the problem from the sound of it. Thats when the loud pops started.

"Gunfire," Wulf stated simply, while drawing his own pistol and scanning the room attentively.

Zurlian looked toward his men and nodded. They returned the nod, forming a small perimeter around me, Allen, and Mom. I trembled slightly. I didn't want to die here, and I didn't want my mother or Allen to die either because I was unlucky enough to get picked like this. It just wasn't fair.

"Have no fear, majesty. We will not allow you to come to harm. The rest of my men are already enroute, they will be here in moments." Zurlian assured me. I did feel a little better, though his words did nothing to calm the beating of my heart that rang out through my ears.

Familiar footsteps could be heard rushing down the hall, as well as the unfamiliar sound of metal clanking. Moments later, more of Zurlian's Knights stopped right outside the doorway. They scanned the hallway repeatedly, and then one of them suddenly pointed.

"Halt, in the name of his Majesty!" He shouted, while others drew and raised their weapons. The Knights rushed forward, forming a line outside of the doorway. Zurlian ushered me, my mother, and Allen out and into the hallway. I let my mom and Allen go first, I noticed both of them shaking slightly.

In the hallway, the Knights had formed a small formation. Upon us exiting the room, several of them broke formation and fell into step with the men that were originally guarding the doorway. Then with a quick gesture from Zurlian, one of the Knights stepped forward, and pulled his sword from his belt, and handed it to Zurlian.

Zurlian examined it for a moment, then he turned towards me. "You have no armor or protection, we can't change that right now," he said, while maintaining eye contact. "But, what we can change is if you have a weapon or not." He handed me the weapon of the guard. I grabbed onto it with my trembling hands. 

This felt so surreal. I couldn't believe I was holding a sword, it was lighter than I thought it'd be. Instead of it being azure like Zurlian's, though, it was a lavender color. The sheath included, was a mixture of the silver trim and lavender.

One of the Knights with our group turned and  looked down the hallway. I heard him gasp and turn towards Zurlian.

"Captain!" He shouted, his voice muffled with a hint of alarm. Zurlian glanced at the Knight. "Those are Yurian Stalkers!" He pointed down the hallway.

I turned my head and looked over the shoulders of the Knights in the formation. I immediately regret doing so. 

Heading towards us were several figures shrouded in a pure black cloak. It covered their entire body, from head to toes, with the exception of their face. A black mist emanated from under the hoods. Crimson eyes were the only thing able to pierce the mist.