Kratz

42

For a lot of the day they fought the massive commoner army. Kratz also kept an eye at his finely tuned strong men fighting the Diamond Guards. They held out, but many fell as a result of their efforts. He felt for them. When they neared the end of the commoner lines Kratz commanded Wallens to bring a party of fifty soldiers to aid the strong men. Wallens agreed. He prayed they'd be enough to stop the massive remaining Diamond Guard force. Which appeared to be only about one hundred men. The strong men had fought well. But many had been lost too. Kratz trusted his men, and their morale.

When Kratz crossed through the last commoners he immediately began sprinting towards the open city. Running through a sea of stone boulders from the fallen wall. Kratz had both swords drawn and his robe and body was drenched in commoner blood. He continued into the city. Several patrols of commoner soldiers attacked him, but Kratz easily defeated them. He continued up the stairs and into the main building, where he suspected Liam to be.

At the front doors to the building Kratz faced another obstacle. A patrol of Diamond Guards were eagerly waiting for him in the stone front courtyard. Their steel floating in front of them and swords drawn. The stance alone told Kratz they were some of the best. He slowed down and walked calmly towards them.

When Kratz got close enough they didn't hesitate and began throwing their diamonds all at once. They all sent at different times and curved the projectiles oddly to confuse Kratz. He ducked and dodged and was even brushed by several. Fortunately he dodged the rest and sustained no injuries. When the soldiers had finished throwing they charged at him all at once. Some threw their weapons in the air and directed them straight for Kratz. He knocked them all to the ground. The other soldiers who still held their weapons came for him next. They charged in. Kratz sparred them and took most down with his quick sword fighting techniques. Some gained the upper hand but Kratz rolled out of the way and regained his stance. During the duel he became soaked in sweat as he continued to spin, jump, duck and swing. But he was perhaps the greatest swordsman of all time.

After a lengthy fight where Kratz did not use his powers, having lacked the energy, he still came out victorious. Slaying the entire patrol all by his blade in hand. Finally he walked into the front doors. Immediately he was faced by yet another opponent. Down the hall stood a man he'd never expected.

This man was unlike his other enemies. He wore a golden collared coat. His skin was dark and his head was bald. His eyes were calm and his face quite plain. A middle aged man perhaps. The man held a sword, a falchion to be exact, but kept it pointed at the floor. Kratz gauged him a safe distance to not pose an immediate threat. He too lowered his swords. Kratz then walked slowly down the hall towards the man. When he reached the middle of the hall he had already scanned it quite well, and stopped. Around him were support pillars, he'd initially suspected more men hiding. But they were void of soldiers. Besides the pillars the room was quite empty.

"Observant, and quick to assume you are in a deadly environment," said the man suddenly. His tone was empty, and quite sad. But his face appeared slightly cheerful.

"It is only you?" asked Kratz. The man spread his arms.

"It is only me. I am Ares, the highest ranking Diamond Guard. Protector to King Liam, and the one man who will keep you from him," he explained thoughtfully. When he finished he lowered his hands again slowly and awaited Kratz's response.

"Wrong."

"Right, actually. Many men as yourself fight with hatred. I know you well Kratz, you fight with hate. I, unlike any, fight with peace," Ares explained. His tone continued to grow softer and less sad the more he spoke.

"I have to hate," Kratz said, raising his swords.

"Wrong. You must learn to fight for what is right. Not what you believe is right," Ares smiled.

"You are my enemy, not my master," Kratz glared. He started towards Ares with a quick pace. Ares immediately threw his falchion into the air and raised a hand. He pushed it straight for Kratz, who responded by throwing both of his in the air. He used his swords to greet Ares' blade in the air. After an initial clash both sides held up. Kratz was still weak and his powers were very low on energy. He couldn't hold it for long and eventually both of his swords dropped from the air. Ares pressed on towards Kratz who rolled out of the way. Ares' sword clashes into the back wall and fell. Kratz stood back up and walked slowly along the side of the room, facing Ares with his hands up.

Ares suddenly jumped through the air, several long paces across the floor, and landed next to Kratz. Kratz was astounded by the speed and length of the jump. When Ares landed he then hopped slightly back into the air and kicked Kratz in the chest, sending him skidding across the floor. The wall ended up stopping him. With a rough smack. But Kratz got back up.

"How did... did you?" groaned Kratz gripping his chest. Ares smiled as he walked back over to Kratz.

"It is inner focus energy. A tool that so few Leponese men master. I myself am one of very few. My strength increases when I focus my energy on my body," he explained, smiling. Kratz stood back up and faced Ares who stood a pace from him.

"You don't grow warm, you grow stronger?" asked Kratz. Ares smiled.

"Something of the nature," he boasted. Then, without warning, Ares focused a massive amount of energy to his arm. He proceeded to punch Kratz in his open chest and knocked him back onto the ground. When Kratz landed he coughed blood. His own blood.

"Devil," spat Kratz. Ares laughed playfully. Kratz begged for more energy. His boundless energy seemed empty, but slowly it came back to him. Just as it always did. Seeping into his body with a fresh surge of renewed power. It wasn't much but he planned to keep saving it and stall. He'd use his new energy for his final move. Kratz smiled to himself before jumping back to his feet. Ares turned to him in shock. Kratz punched him in the cheek, knocking him back. Ares focused energy to his leg but was punched in the nose by Kratz before he could use it. He stumbled back and immediately kicked Kratz in the side, sending him back to the floor. But he jumped right back up and charged back at Ares. Kratz would land two more punches before Ares collapsed weakly. Then he turned to a nearby pillar that lined up with Ares' fallen body. Kratz focused his energy on it and pulled with all his might. The pillar broke from its base and fell over. Ares fortunately saw it in time and rolled out of the way just as it landed.

Kratz kept an open palm as Ares dusted himself off and stood up slowly in shock. He looked at Kratz, who pointed a finger at something above Ares head. Ares looked up and to his horror saw Kratz dangling a sword in the air above him. Ares slowly looked back down and oddly smiled.

"Impressively done," he admired. Kratz raised his eyebrows. He had won the fight halfway in. The pillar had been a distraction for him to pick up one of his swords and move it in for the kill before Ares could react.

"Thank you," Kratz nodded.

"Shall you spare your equal? Perhaps men of our kind shall remain political in times like these," he offered softly.

"You shall join me," Kratz commanded. Ares shook his head slowly.

"Nay, I cannot join you. But I will not offend you," he promised. Kratz smiled and waved his finger, bringing his sword back into his hand. He grasped it and picked up his other too. Then he placed them back in their sheaths.

"Fine, then go Ares. I shall see you again," Kratz nodded. He felt sparing the man was the right thing to do. He appeared quite a soldier and he didn't fear him returning. In fact, he saw a potential ally. The end was near, many could feel it then. Abandoning ship was not uncommon after the fall of the front wall.

After Ares left Kratz continued into the building. Eventually finding a room with a lock on it. From what he could tell it was a fairly large room. Kratz tried at the door several more times before using his sword to bust the lock. The door opened slowly and Kratz crept into a dimly lit room. It was a simple room, with a fireplace and a table with three chairs. Besides the fireplace there were no lights in the room. Sitting in one of the chairs was a fully armored man who stood up once Kratz stepped in. He wore armor on every part of his body besides his head. His hair was white and his face was fat and full of wrinkles. Kratz guessed him to be very old, but knew immediately who it was upon a closer look. On top of the man's head was a golden crown. It was King Liam himself.