Shadow Kingdoms | Book 1 ✔ (REWRITTEN AS 'THE EXILED KING')

Chapter 27 - We Do Not Have Gods. We Have Each Other.

"What in the name of Gilan the Wise is happening?" Jason hollered.

Euiridas turned a tearstriken face to him, "Silvardor is falling. That was the magical barrier. Today begins the next war."

"I had prayed that there would never be a day when this would happen, but the gods have not answered my prayers. Syledin is silent and I know that Arkis, too, is silent. Two of the most powerful gods, good and evil, are silent. That does not bode well." She continued, "The gods have abandoned us. The people of Dargon are alone."

"What about Sylune?" Jason muttered.

Euiridas shook her head, "She was the last. There will be no more communication from the gods. It was a sign. She is the goddess of the hunt. It means that the gods themselves are hunted."

"Listen, woman. I don't trust you. I never did. What's in it for you?" Jason growled.

She sighed exasperatingly, "I'm sorry. I knew that this would happen. Reports came from scouts that demons were sighted laying waste to a village near the outskirts of Sanobar. I wanted to withhold the information in the hopes that they were going to disappear again. I thought that if I threatened you that you would raise the alarm. And gather an army."

"Well, you were wrong. It would have worked far better just to talk to me. Truthfully." Jason muttered.

"Once again, I apologize, but I will not stand from my claims. You MUST summon an army." Euiridas exclaimed angrily.

"Or what?" Jason taunted. He knew in his heart that he would still raise an army, but first he had to know this woman's boundaries.

"I will kill you," She said simply, "And let the armband find a far more worthy owner to carry its sacred power."

"There is no need to commit murder. I will raise the army. But you must explain to them. I will not do that. You must raise their morale." He clenched his jaw and stood taller, squaring his back. He was assuming the responsibility that many grown men would balk at.

He slinked off, graceful as a cat. His practice gear, a plain shirt belted at the waist, pants in the same color topped off with knee length brown boots, did not even rustle as he left Euiridas standing by the forest edge.

<--<< >>-->

"How do I raise an army?" Jason muttered frustrated as he walked back to the practice arena.

"What army?" Taryn joined Jason with a grin. He mopped the sweat off his brow with the back of his hand, only it didn't do much good. He sighed and spun his finger. Instantly the wind grew colder and swirled up around him. He sighed in comfort. This was the life.

The moment was ruined with Jason's next words, "We are being attacked. The second Demon War has begun."

"WHAT?!" Taryn sputtered. The wind died down as his thoughts broke off completely.

Jason nodded grimly, "Demons, Taryn. We have to find everyone else. Also... there's something else..." He trailed off uncertain as to how to break the news.

"What?" Taryn wondered curiously.

"It's Saera." Jason said unhappily.

Taryn perked up immediately, "How is she?"

"Well... oh, curse the gods, she's DEAD!" Jason wailed.

"No... no, you're lying!" Taryn cried, "It just isn't... not possible..." He muttered heartbroken.

"And Lily, even Edward. I'll never see them again..." Jason mourned.

Taryn silently let his heart break. Saera had been his only friend in a world that despised half breeds.

"Who would murder innocents?" He muttered.

Jason grimaced, "You know as well as I do, friend. Demons. They are a source of anger, betrayal and all the bad things. We must rid this world of this blemish before we are all destroyed."

"We will gather an army, and we will fight for victory." Taryn said.

Drawing his dagger, Taryn bared his forearm. He laid the dagger at it, not quite breaking the skin yet.

"Are you with me?" He asked. Jason mimicked him. Metal grazed the skin, split it and blood welled. The clasped arms, mingling their blood. They were true brothers at arms now. Pulling apart, they pulled down their sleeves carefully and re sheathed their daggers. Silently, like the great cats who used to roam Anhua, they slunk off.

<--<< >>-->

"It is a matter of extreme urgency!" Jason growled at the astonished guard. Dethemina's chambers were locked and put under constant guard, and Jason fumed as he waited.

Then she appeared.

"What is the urgency?" She asked.

"My apologies, lady, but we have an invasion on our hands." Jason said bluntly. The time for fancy wordings and hidden meanings was over.

Her eyes widened, "What?" She breathed.

"It is true, they are breaking our barrier. Silvardor is safe no longer." Euiridas came up to them.

"What must we do?"

"Muster an army. It will take days for them to get their whole army past the barrier. We have some time." Euiridas said grimly. She was dressed in her battle armor. A decorated silver breastplate, bracers, gauntlets and greaves. She wore a ceremonial beige cape with gold trimmings. Euiridas wore no helmet, but during the battle, she would. In her hand was a rapier. A thin sword ideal for beheading, gutting and generally killing opponents swiftly.

<--<< >>-->

Later, standing tall among a crowd of elves, she rallied them to fight for Saelvor, and for all of Silvardor.

"Today is the day when we call you. We call you to fight. Fight for your families, homes and for glory! FIGHT FOR SILVARDOR!!!" She yelled, raising her sword up high. An answering roar cut through the air. Every elf had heard, or seen that the barrier was breaking. They knew what was going on, and for some of the warriors, trained their whole lives for moments like these, they welcomed a chance to use their skills.

She continued, "We do not have gods. They have left us. Something stalks them, as we now face hordes of demons. WE HAVE EACH OTHER!!!"

So began the second Demon War.