Tales of The Linked Beasts- Book 1- Asura

Chapter 1

Balthazar was sitting on his throne when he was interrupted by the slam of the throne room doors. He stopped his conversation with the guards and looked up towards the entrance. His priest was shuffling slowly into the room. He claimed he had urgent news.

"What is it, Atem?" Asked Balthazar. His words boomed like thunder in the silent room.

"The kingdom is being ransacked, my lord. I should inform you that Asura is leading the party." replied the priest.

The king jumped out of his throne and stormed out of the room and into the courtyard of his kingdom. He made his way to the gate but was stopped when he saw the demon, Asura. Balthazar drew his sword and warned the raiders.

"ASURA," the king shouted, "leave now of your own free will, or be dragged out dead."

Asura may have been a demon, but he always fought fair. He climbed off his horse and drew his sword as well.

"We didn't come for much, King. It's not like me to leave the innocent with nothing." He said in a mocking tone. Asura let out a deafening cackle as he slowly stepped closer to Balthazar, sword by his side.

Balthazar read this as an invitation and cautiously shuffles towards the thief, ready to defend himself. As the two drew closer and closer, the slid their blades together and prepared to clash steel. Asura lashed forward but Balthazar was ready to block. They went back and forth for many minutes before the king was able to stab the demon in the shoulder. Asura let out a gasp and looked at his shoulder in complete shock. He had never been struck before.

The king pulled his blade out of his opponent's shoulder and readies himself to strike again. Before Balthazar could reset his stance, the demon lashes forward and nearly stabs the king in the chest. He was able to dodge, but just barely. He reset his position and waited for the demon to strike again. Asura was getting impatient, what with the new wound and all.

"Archers," yells the king, "Ready fire."

Asura holsters his blade and brings his hands to chest level, palms fscing upwards. After a moment, his eyes go black and his hands glow a bright purple. He slowly begins to lift off the ground and levitate higher until he stops about 5 feet from the ground.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." His voice booms and sounds as if he has other voices speaking at once.

Balthazar's men stand ready to attack, anxiously waiting for his order. The archers were ready to release their flurry of arrows, the knights and paladins ready to charge at an instant's notice. Asura raises his left hand and summons a disc of black energt, sending it in the direction of the king. A group of knights surrounded the king with their shields, but we're dissentagrated into a puddle of blood and bones on impact.

With that one motion, every force in Balthazar's armies let loose an attack of fury. The archers fired their bows at break neck speed and bullseye accuracy. Knights and paladins were throwing every spear, lance and javelin they had at the ready. As for His Highness himself, he sheathed his sword and threw off his Royal robes. He repeated Asura's levitation, but flew about a foot higher, and had a blue aura instead of purple. They flew towards each other and prepared to battle once again.