The King's Game - Seven Calamities Arc (Part 2)

Chapter 37: The War Begins

"The time has come; destruction awaits. You are finally ready to be released out into the testing grounds. Prove you are the perfect warrior, and if you see Royland; kill him."

A bright streak of radiant light struck down upon the Desolate Plains, the ground trembled and booming trumpets could be heard. Conanus sat with a note in hand as he looked towards the beam of light in the distance. A grin formed on the scrawny man's face as the bat flew and landed on Conanus' shoulder.

"The time has come, and the war is about begin." Conanus said as he rose from the throne, tossed the note to the ground and grabbed his sword.

"Indeed, the time has come Conanus." The bat said as it bit into Conanus' neck and was slowly absorbed into Conanus.

With a wave of his hand, the scrawny man and Conanus melted into a black puddle before seeping into the ground, leaving nothing behind.

After a few vrots' travel, Royland returned to the Gymont Thicket where Daeris and the recovered Stain awaited him.

Stain ran up to the stumbling Royland and lent him a shoulder, "It's getting worse isn't it."

"Do not concern yourself with that at the moment. The high priests are safe and they are have passed on the instructions to all their members. Everything will go according to plan, besides we cannot be worried about me, he is here." Royland said as he pointed towards the radiant beam over the Desolate Plains.

"Shut up will you." Stain said as he called Daeris over.

Stain laid Royland down on the bedroll as he removed Royland's shirt. Rotting flesh peeled off with the shirt as Stain threw it to the ground. Daeris rushed over with fresh bandages and a special salve she had prepared.

"It's worse than before he left. If this carries on spreading at this rate, then he won't last move than a prytorst." Daeris said as she began to apply the salve and fresh bandages.

Stain and Daeris sat around the campfire as Royland slept soundly in the tent. The night sky was all but blasted away by the radiant beam.

"Are you sure there isn't a way to prolong his life? At least until after the war?" Stain asked Daeris as he poked the fire with a twig.

"Nothing can save him. Some sort of blight has taken over his body, it won't be long until he decays into nothing. We might be alone in this war."

"Ah I think I can help you with that." A man said as he stepped towards Daeris and Stain.

Stain and Daeris leapt to their feet and readied their weapons. Daeris was clearly unnerved as she had failed to notice the man approaching them, let alone entering the forest.

"Who are you?" Daeris shouted to the man, "And how did you make it through the forest."

The man clasped his hands together as a smile formed on his face, "Ah how rude of me. My name is Jacob, and as for how I got through the forest, well I was guided by Alvaro."

Daeris leapt forward and pressed her dagger tightly against Jacob's neck, a trickle of blood ran along the blade of the dagger.

Daeris' breath was ragged and her eyes filled with murderous intent, "How do you know that name?"

"He told me his name, and he knows that I am needed to save Royland. That is why he led me here." Jacob said calmly as he held his hands up in surrender.

Daeris was uncertain whether to believe him or not, but the warmth of a hand on her shoulder let her know that Jacob was telling the truth. Looking to her side she could feel the presence of her lover, despite not being able to see him.

"He really is next to me isn't he? How can you see him Jacob?"

"A strange power was bestowed upon me, and this power continued to grow until it manifested into what I currently have. A part of the power is that I am able to see guardian entities, such as Alvaro the Gymont Thicket's guardian."

Daeris withdrew her dagger as Stain stepped forward, "But how did you know Royland was hidden in this forest?"

"I didn't." Jacob replied as he wiped the blood from his neck, "I was simply told to head towards the Desolate Plains, and I would find my answers there. Now as much as I would love to fill you in on the rest, do you think I could have a look at Royland first?"

Daeris and Stain both nodded as they led Jacob into the tent. Jacob looked at Royland and instructed Daeris and Stain to remove the bandages from Royland's body and place him outside once he was ready. Jacob left the tent and begun to draw a complex arcane symbol on the ground, he himself did not know how he knew the symbol or when he learnt it, but it was just embedded in his mind. Once the symbol was completed Jacob told Stain to bring Royland. Stain carefully placed Royland in the centre of the symbol as Jacob took one of Daeris' daggers and slit his wrist open. Jacob's blood poured onto the symbol as his blood flowed in the shape of the symbol, as if the blood had a mind of its own. Jacob closed his eyes and began reciting the incantation. The arcane symbol started glowing and as Jacob finished the incantation, the blood shot up and intertwined into a thin stream, which branched out and seeped into the rotting flesh on Royland's body. Once all the blood had been absorbed into Royland's body, Jacob fell to the ground unconscious.

Back in Silverdrift, Isamaya was having a conversation with Niarajuel about the ominous clouds above the Weeping Shore and the radiant light above the Desolate Plains.

"Scouts have reported that several small villages and towns were attack by what can only be described as demons."

"Do not worry Isamaya, we are quite safe where we are, as long as we have Zihq forest between us and the rest of Ejitope we will be fine."

"And what of the radiant light above the Desolate Plains? I don't like the looks of it."

"That worries me as well, the Gods should have already sent their warrior so what are they up to now. If only I could convince Draevris to join the Fallen, then we would be able to break the seal on the Dark Lord."

Just before Isamaya left the Meeting, a powerful pressure crashed down on her, forcing her face down on the ground as Niarajuel was forced to one knee. The thin beam of light that shone over the throne room disappeared, and thunder could be heard booming outside. Isamaya tried to talk but her voice wouldn't come.

"No, no it can't be. Please tell me this isn't true. He can't be here, if he is here, then this really could be the end. I need to warn Draevris." Niarajuel said as terror swept across her face.

"Well then, let's get this war started shall we." Arazach said as he stood before Gallo and Death's Door.