Chapter 5 Demon King and Legendary Sword

"Hey, come back. Don't leave me curious like this, hey," she grumbled.

"Right after getting a glimpse of such beauty, it vanished. But, who was that? Why did he feel so familiar? My body wants to be near him constantly. It couldn't be that I'm under a spell or enchantment from that figure, could it?" she wondered.

Leaving Catharina, who was busy daydreaming about the handsome figure she had encountered, in the Dark Castle, to be precise, in the castle's hall, Medusa was seated, fuming. She never anticipated being defeated by a woman in a purple gown, donning a gold-infused iron armor.

The owner of the golden light that had radiated in the sky three weeks ago, strangely, when searched for, was never found, as if it had never existed.

"General Darkes, prepare our plan to attack the Eternal realm again," she ordered. At this moment, Medusa was seated on her throne, glaring menacingly at her entire army.

"But Your Majesty, we do not know their whereabouts," Darkes explained. He was also frustrated and angry after last night's incident.

He had suffered a resounding defeat when his forces were nearly wiped out. Furthermore, he had to swallow the bitter pill of being defeated by that annoying war pegasus, Zard.

"We cannot attack them directly without knowing their location. It's like showing our foolishness," she sarcastically stated

Hearing Darkes' sarcastic remark, Medusa grew even angrier; she had never felt so belittled. But the reality was that her general's words were true.

"Damn it, where on earth are those wretches hiding?" she seethed, her hand clenched tightly, her nails even turning white. Medusa released her power towards the wall, channeling her frustration.

"The only way to fight them is by summoning the spirits of the Great Lord. Only he can see the unseen," Darkes explained.

Medusa felt a headache returning, as the summoning of the spirits would consume half of her power. However, not doing so would be detrimental to their cause.

"Very well, prepare the necessary arrangements for summoning the spirits, my beloved. Tonight," she ordered, an instruction immediately acknowledged by Darkes.

After Darkes left the hall, the sound of Medusa's raging fury could be distinctly heard. She must be venting her frustration in every inch of that space.

"Such a woman," Darkes muttered under his breath.

Now, Medusa appeared even more menacing, with her snakes hissing in anger atop her head, mirroring her emotional turmoil. Fortunately, there was no one else in the hall.

"Just you wait, just wait for my vengeance, Eternal nation," she growled, gazing far into the distance.

In the Evergon forest, they were having lunch together, but Catharina was absent. She was eating in her reading room, as she needed to devise a new strategy to counter the dark forces. This time, it would be a genuine warfare.

"I must master everything in this book before the actual battle commences," she thought.

"Your Majesty, your meal,"

"Just place it on the table, Brill, and please leave me. Oh, one more thing, inform every general to devise their individual tactical plans, and I want them to present those plans in our meeting tonight," she spoke while continuing to read the thick book in her hand.

Brill, who received the orders, nodded and excused himself, promptly relaying the information to the generals so that they could start planning ahead..

"Attention, gentlemen," Brill's voice diverted all the attention of the beings in the dining hall.

"What is it, Brill?" Heruz inquired.

"Her Majesty has instructed the Generals to prepare their respective tactics for the impending battle, and to present these tactics during the meeting tonight," he explained.

Upon hearing Brill's explanation of the Queen's orders, they quickly finished their meals and dispersed to their respective locations. The afternoon passed in silence, as some were busy devising war tactics while others trained with their swords and individual strengths.

Evening arrived, and all the preparations for the spirit summoning were complete. Darkes, assisted by his troops, carried out the preparations to save time and energy. Meanwhile, Medusa, dressed in her black gown, made her way to the summoning chamber.

The door creaked open, and she could see that everything was ready; only she remained, awaited to perform the ritual for summoning the spirits.

"You are indeed dependable, Darkes," she quipped. Darkes merely nodded in response, seemingly uninterested in speaking much that night.

Medusa knelt before a carved statue of her demon king lover, whose body and soul were locked within the sacred spell of the ancient Eternal race.

"Let us begin," Medusa murmured.

Instantly, the summoning chamber contained only Medusa and Darkes, as they were the only two possessing enough energy to accomplish this feat. If it were ordinary soldiers, this endeavor would surely fail, as the process was bound to drain nearly half of their power.

Strong winds swirled around Medusa, while Darkes focused on channeling his energy towards her.

Boom

Boom

Gusts of wind and flashes of lightning alternated without any sign of fear from the two, as this was their objective.

"Argh... argh... argh..." their combined cries echoed in response to the pain caused by their draining energies.

"Medusa, my beloved," the weighty voice uttered.

Medusa, who had been bowing down, regulated her breath and then looked up to see a translucent figure before her. The sharpness of his gaze, firm jawline, and undeniable handsomeness, though not to the extent she remembered.

"I've missed you," she whispered.

Seeing Medusa's longing gaze upon him only stirred annoyance within that figure. Of course, if he weren't imprisoned by that cursed king's spell, they might be living happily now. Yet, they had forgotten that no lasting happiness could be borne if it led to bloodshed.

"You must be lonely without me by your side," he remarked.

"You already know the answer to that, my love."

Both of them were lost in each other's gaze, and even Medusa momentarily forgot her current purpose. Darkes could only sigh as a form of protest.

"Ahem... Your Majesty, time is limited. Before the moon resumes its cycle, let us proceed with our objective," Darkes clarified, successfully snapping Medusa back to reality.

"My dear, I summoned you to find out the whereabouts of the Eternal race," she explained.

"But weren't they extinct?" he queried, puzzled.

"No, they never went extinct. In fact, their numbers have increased and grown stronger with the arrival of the heir of the ruler among them," Medusa elaborated.

"Damn it... This must be the doing of that wretched king," the demon king cursed.

"There's no time to curse our king. We're only able to hold on a little longer, so I beg you to quickly locate the whereabouts of the Eternal race," Darkes interjected.

The demon king, upon hearing this, naturally became infuriated. Who dared use a commanding tone towards him? Damn it!

"You..."

"My love, time is running out, please, for this time only, I implore you. The moon is about to appear," Medusa said sadly.

"Fine, fine," the demon king grumbled irritably, while Darkes did his best to remain patient. He was already feeling weakened, as nearly half of his energy had been drawn.

The demon king performed a spell, and shortly afterward, a dark shadow of the Evergon forest emerged within the smoky projection. Medusa and Darkes...

Their gazes now fixed on the direction of the projected image. Right in the midst of the expansive meadow, a grand castle suddenly stood. However, entering it was beyond the demon king's capacity, considering the current extent of his weakened power.

"They are hiding within that castle," he declared, pointing towards the castle's silhouette before them.

"But when we went there, there was no castle, not even a trace of it," Darkes countered, with Medusa nodding in agreement.

"That's it. You didn't see it, and that's why you couldn't find them," he explained further.

"That cursed king must have been protecting them all this time with his divine magic," Medusa fumed.

"Then how are we supposed to attack if we can't see what we're attacking?" Medusa inquired.

"For that, both of you must use this incantation," he replied, revealing a floating piece of parchment that drifted towards them.

"What is this?" they both asked.

"It's an incantation to perceive the invisible, yet it's not everlasting; it depends on time. Therefore, use it wisely, as it will only remain effective until sunset," he advised.

"They truly are cunning," Medusa muttered.

"We shall meet again, my king," Medusa uttered as the dark silhouette began to fade.

"Yes, you must avenge us and then free me from this place. Let us find happiness thereafter."

Finally, the figure's shadow vanished completely. Simultaneously, they both fell to the floor due to the partial drain of their energy.

"Your Majesty, it would be wise for us to rest for the next two days before launching an attack on the Eternal race. Our strength is nearly depleted," Darkes whispered, his elven body weakened to the point of helplessness – he couldn't even stand.

"You're right... Just wait, I will annihilate all of you," Medusa declared, her gaze fixed forward as she contemplated the fate of the Eternal race.

Ceklek.

The door of the spirit-summoning chamber swung open, and several creatures entered. They came to the aid of their queen and their general, escorting them to their respective resting places.

Tonight, in the war council chamber, the generals and their queen were once again engrossed in discussions about the upcoming war plan.

A map depicting the battlefield-to-be was spread across the table, marked with various specific points.

"Here, we'll launch a frontal assault on the enemy, while this section will serve as a flanking maneuver from the right and left. The rest of you will be positioned in the underground tunnels until the code for the attack is given," Catharina explained, pointing to each black dot on the map.

"And how do we face the infernal forces, Your Majesty?" Heruz inquired.

Catharina smiled with significance. "Of course, by striking at the heart of their power."

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Zard interjected.

With a sigh, Catharina elaborated on her statement. "What I mean is to destroy the core of their strength within their bodies. You must be aware, Zard, that each infernal creature possesses its own distinct characteristics, which naturally affects the location of their power core. So, I'm sure you understand what I'm implying, right?"

She gazed at each general in the war council room. After a few moments, they exchanged glances and, of course, smiled with a deeper understanding.

"It seems that this war may be brief."

"I certainly hope so, but for some reason, I can't shake the feeling that there's a larger issue looming once the war begins," she thought. Catharina couldn't reveal her unease amidst the patriotic fervor of the generals, who were undoubtedly hoping for victory in this upcoming battle.

"Two of the generals present here will lead the forces in the underground passages, while the rest will engage in battle according to the plan," she ordered.

"Understood, Your Majesty."

The night swiftly passed, replaced by the sunlight streaming through the window cracks. Outside, the clash of swords could be heard, a harbinger of the impending conflict.

It is evident that all creatures here are diligently training, hoping for victory to be within their grasp.

Meanwhile, Catharina gazes out the window, feeling the immense spirit and determination emanating from each being below. She begins to drift into reverie, pondering what it would be like if the spirited energy she witnessed that morning were to be shattered by the harsh realities of the battlefield.

"Do not be pessimistic, my Queen. It will only erode your self-confidence on the battlefield," Briil says, noticing the concern within their leader.

"What do you mean, Brill? I am not dwelling on such thoughts," she retorts, gazing steadfastly ahead.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but as an Elf Queen, I am well aware of what troubles your mind. Have faith in your strength and the entire Eternal army," he reassures Catharina with a genuine smile.

"Sigh... You are right, Brill. I hope your words can alleviate some of the burdens on my mind at this moment."

"Of course, Your Majesty. It is my duty," he replies, meaningfully looking at Catharina. Unbeknownst to her, she remains unaware of Brill's unspoken intentions.

"Let's join them."

Without further words, Brill follows closely behind her. He understands that Catharina's position is not an easy one, stranded in a world she finds strange, burdened by responsibilities, yet unable to protest, given her heritage as an Eternal that demands sacrifices.

"Have patience a little longer; he will come to you, and I know it won't be long now," he whispers, watching Catharina's back before him.

But who is Brill really? What does he know about all these issues? Is he aligned with the Eternal nation or with the enemy? Only time can reveal the answers.

Trang

Trang

Their training comes to an immediate halt as they notice Catharina approaching. Just as Catharina steps into the area, they collectively bow in deep respect.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," they all chime in simultaneously.

Catharina smiles and nods in acknowledgment of their greetings.

"Continue your training, do not mind my presence. Focus solely on your exercises, as I shall concentrate on my own training," she declared.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

Observing closely, their powerful auras became even more pronounced. The steadfast expressions on their faces were vividly etched in her mind. Catharina finally stepped back slightly, heading towards the riverbank where she had meditated to clear her mind a few days earlier.

She assumed a stance, then exhaled slowly. Closing her eyes, she absorbed the natural energy surrounding her. As her eyes reopened, the color of her irises shifted to a beautiful shade of gold.

Combining her Taekwondo movements with the magical energy she possessed, she executed each motion with grace and strength. Brill, who was carefully observing each sequence, couldn't help but show his admiration.

"Such exquisite and lethal movements," he marveled, his elven eyes captivated by every action Catharina performed.

"It's as if I'm witnessing two beings from different worlds, yet inhabiting the same body," he mused.

As Catharina sought to channel more natural energy, a sudden light streaked across, lingering on her palm. Gradually, that light transformed, shaping itself into a splendid sword adorned with intricate engravings on its hilt and blade.

For a moment, Catharina's eyes widened, her gaze locked on the spectacle before her. It was as though she had witnessed the most astonishing sight right in front of her eyes. The surprise was not hers alone-Brill, who stood a distance behind, was equally astonished.

"Your Majesty..."

The tone of awe in Brill's voice disrupted her concentration. She saw the eyes of the young elven maiden filled with both emotion and a radiant glow. What was the meaning behind this expression?

"What's with that gaze, Brill?" she inquired, puzzled.

"You have just successfully summoned the ancestral sword of the Eternal nation, Your Majesty. This is joyful news for all of us," he responded with enthusiasm.

"Is that so? This sword... this sword belongs to my ancestors?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. It seems that the gods are bestowing their blessings upon us all."

"Very well, in that case. Could you step back a bit, Brill? Let's test the power of this sword."

Brill promptly distanced himself a bit, while Catharina positioned herself to wield the sword in her hand. With each precise movement she executed, golden sparks emanated from the blade. She was convinced that if she channeled her own power through the sword, it could potentially become a lethal weapon.

Watching Catharina's swordplay, Brill was captivated, as if witnessing an entrancing dance that also held a deadly edge if approached.

"I am certain that you are truly deserving of the leadership position, Your Majesty."

Leaving Brill still in awe, Catharina chose to pause briefly for a rest. She gazed intently at the sword she now held.

"This sword seems to have chosen me as its master," she murmured, gently caressing the blade.

Seeing Catharina take a moment to rest, Brill took the initiative to return to the castle, fetching some water and refreshments to quench the thirst and ease the fatigue of his queen.

Turning his attention back to Catharina, who was currently engrossed in examining the sword in her hand, he admired its every detail. Beautiful and flawless!

Suddenly, the sword vanished from her grip as she placed it against her chest. Naturally, he was taken aback, but he had grown accustomed to the extraordinary occurrences surrounding her. Catharina chuckled. She remembered the first time she had meditated by this river. She had nearly screamed in fear; at that time, she had only intended to relax her mind. Instead, something strange had entered her body. When she raised her hand to the sky, a dazzling golden light had emanated from her palm.

That was the first time she realized that within her existed a power or energy beyond the comprehension of modern humans.

Even now, she recalled her own foolish behavior. Thankfully, no one had witnessed her acting so absurdly. If they had, she would have been utterly embarrassed. Imagine a queen, someone who should be resolute and dignified, behaving like a fool. It would undoubtedly cast doubts on her presence among the creatures of the Eternal nation.