The sky was pitch black allowing the tiny clusters of stars to flicker glossily, the full moon itself mingled into the night creating a beautiful illumination on the town. Eighteen-year-old Elroy looking rather exhausted, trots his horse up a hill path leading to the cottage of Orlanda Ramsey.

On getting to a point of view were the cottage could be seen, the cottage door was wild open; the only source of light was the lantern hanging outside which was almost fading out. Keeping the bad thoughts on check Elroy quickly dismounted his horse; then began walking gently towards the cottage, his heart beat increasing with every step he took.

Suddenly, in the melancholy of the intense atmosphere Luna staggered out of the cottage but gained balance on the wall, giving Elroy a bit of relief, "Luna" he called out quietly "what's up with..." Elroy paused with his speech, shrinking back his eyes widen in despair as he noticed the large stain of blood around Luna's belly, "Luna" he forcefully called out.

Drained of blood and partially passing out Luna dropped to the ground, Elroy hurried to her and knelt by her side, tears flooded his eyes as he begs Luna not to die on him, hands shaking while he applied pressure on the deep wound but it was to no avail, the blood only kept gushing out like he had stimulated it more.

By the time Elroy looked back at Luna's face her eyes stood still. "It had to be done" a known voice spoke from behind Elroy.

Elroy instantly turned around, coming face on with Orlanda Ramsey who held a bloody sword. "What's going on?" he asked with a heavy voice, tears running down his cheek. "Forgive me El"

Orlanda swiftly slashed upwards at Elroy, placing a surface cut on his chest; Elroy groaned out in pain, pressing hard on the cut, then a firm side kick from Orlanda to the side of Elroy's head, threw him of balance and landed him hard and face down on the ground. Then only did he realize his years of training with Orlanda were only a joke.

Gasping for air as well as trying to get a grip of himself Elroy tried standing up but fell back to the ground.

Orlanda, not willing to back down stabbed his sword into Elroy's calf. His face contorts as he screamed out in misery, pleading in his thoughts to be spared.

"I have no choice El, all this is for the greater good." Plunges the sword deeper that it pierced through into the ground. Elroy shrieked out, more loud than before stricken with pain.

"Hate me El and grow stronger, when you are strong enough, confirm your strength by killing Jerrod Rooks, you will find him in the western plains in the kingdom of Lance. Then alone will I reveal myself to you, let faith decide from then."

A hard kick from Orlanda to Elroy's face knocked him out, in that moment two figures vested in grey hooded leather armour rode their horses out of the willow forest then halted behind Orlanda.

"Kill every man and woman, take the children as captives" Orlanda ordered, with the given command the figures rode their horses down the hill, towards the now scorching town of Etrigon.

The Kingdom of Lance

In the royal chamber, King Eric, paces to and fro drinking from a chalice in front of a four-poster bed adored in silver and purple blinds. After a short while Princess Atari walks in, shutting the door behind her she turns towards King Eric who shook his head, understanding the unknown sign Princess Atari smiled.

"Nicely done dear" King Eric congratulated

"All for grandfather" Atari assured as she walks seductively towards King Eric, noticing her movement King Eric sipped from the wine "All for him dear"

"Why don't we" gently untying the rope holding King Eric's black robe "just spend this night in celebration?"

"Come on Ari, Richard is around"

"Oh forget him" takes the chalice from King Eric and pushes him to the bed.

Lying on the bed with his robe wild open he smiled at Atari, "I thought you had fun with Thomas"

"He's not the type of man for me" drops the chalice on a table by the corner, then slowly lifts her black robe up to her lenient thighs before setting herself on King Eric, who held her waist firmly "with three of grandfather's killers dead" slightly caressing her fingers on King Eric's hairy chest as she slowly twirls her waist, "King Isaac will be an easy target." King Eric quickly turns Princess Atari to the bed, now positioned on top her both exchanged a lax wet kiss.

The Kingdom of Vencia

Another kingdom independent of the Southern Empire, ruled by Prince Alfred Basil a middle aged man. Vencia is a small kingdom compared to other southern kingdoms, it stands in-between two hills; the royal compound is located in the middle of the Kingdom, in it are seven thatched cottages surrounded by a wall, three cottages aligned on the left and right then one in between them. However, Vencia now burns up in the scorching sun, war cries and screams of agony echoed through the kingdom; decapitated bodies, citizens and warriors as well as blood flooded the streets. The only safe haven was the royal compound; about fifty archers stood guard on the battlement, roundabout on the walls. Within the compound, just meters away from the gate stood a troop of Vencian knights awaiting command from Prince Alfred who stood in front alongside Commander Malach.

"How long do you think we can hold them back" Prince Alfred asked curiously

"If lucky stays on our side, before dusk." Replied Malach

"God help us all" waves the sign of the cross, "you are in charge of the troops Malach"

"Yes, my lord"

"Alfred Basil" a yawning audible voice cried out from over the wall, bringing Prince Alfred's and commander Malach's attention to the battlement.

"My Lord" one of the archers called out from the north wing "someone is approaching."

Prince Alfred walks up the stairs to the north wing, looking down the battlement, he gazes at the Zapov mounted on his armored black horse, standing before hundreds of Drokan warriors. He was huge and dark in complexion, bald headed with long beard fluttering in the breeze.

"God help us" Prince Alfred prayed under his breath.

"Aku dadi Zapov Lafiki, pisanan dadi tentara Drokan. (I am commander Lafiki, first in command of the Drokan army)" Zapov Lafiki cried out

"I speak not your Pagan Language Commander" said Prince Alfred

"Then learn it Prince, you may need it." Zapov Lafiki replied

"You are on the rough end barbarian, surrender or die." Prince Alfred proposed

"That's funny; I was about saying same thing"

"Archers ready! Brace!" Prince Alfred cried out, influencing the archers to draw their arrows pointing it towards the Drokan troops, "your last chance pagan"

"You have one final chance Prince, save what's left of your Kingdom"

"To a false god? No!" shook his head negatively "my God will fight with us and overcome"

"Again, again, again, again and again with this deceitful hopeless blabbering" bows his head then slowly lifts it "do not be a fool Prince"

Prince Alfred drew his sword then points it at the Drokan troops, signaling the archers to fire at them, Zapov Lafiki was quick enough to evade an arrow but other warriors on the front line fell to the arrows.

Raising up his sword the archers picked an arrow from their quivers awaiting Prince Alfred's signal.

"Gulung tembok iku (Bring that wall down)" Zapov Lafiki yelled out

Before Prince Alfred could give the order for another strike, three flaming boulders were lunched into the air from three catapults far behind the Drokan troops, Prince Alfred and the archers froze in shock, beholding the spectacle of the whirling boulders covered in flames; for they have neither heard nor seen any weapon of such intensity before. Two flaming boulders crashed unto the wall and the third in the middle of the royal compound, the impact was devastating, tossing men engulfed in flames into various corners as they screamed their last.

With the north wing as well as the gate broken down the Drokan troops charged into the royal compound with war cries, slaughtering every Vencian Knight still breathing.

Prince Alfred now weakened struggled to reach his sword not noticing the Drokan warrior following him behind, before the warrior could strike him Commander Malach cut the warrior down then supported Prince Alfred on his feet.

"Go my Lord, your family and the rest of the citizens await you in the crypt, please join..." an arrow pierced through his neck from behind

Unable to morn Malach or react Prince Alfred watched in despair as Malach fell to the ground, giving view to a young boy vested in green cape, holding a bow; by looks the chap should be in his early teenage year, but his physique says otherwise. Prince Alfred glared at him, his face flushed red, his jaw clenched as he tried holding back his tears, clinching his fist round the hilt of his sword; the boy tossed the bow aside then drew two knifes from his side.

Revenge filled thoughts, Prince Alfred charged towards the boy, getting close enough he swung his sword towards the boy but he was nippy enough to slide under it, cutting Prince Alfred's waist as he did.

Moving forward languorously, Prince Alfred squeals in pain as he holds on to the bleeding cut, making a quick turn with all his might he struck down at the boy who checked the attack with one knife, stabbing Alfred's neck with the other, bringing him to his knees.

"Muga-muga sampeyan ngerti yen sampeyan kalah ing perang iki nalika sampeyan nyerang dhisik. (Hope you realize you lost this battle the moment you attacked first.)"

Prince Alfred tried to speak but kept choking on his blood, giving him a quick death the boy dragged the knife across his neck, cutting off Alfred's head.

Approaching from behind Lafiki knelt before the boy, "Apa sing sampeyan propose Juragan Covin (What do you propose Master Covin)"

"Mateni kabeh wong, aku ngerteni luwih akeh ing sangisore bangunan iki. (Kill every one of them, I perceive more underneath this buildings)" walks away.

Chapter 8 CLOSE ENEMIES

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