RISE OF THE ORIGINAL; Battle Of Realms

Kalus plummeted through the void, his screams swallowed by the endless expanse of shifting, prismatic light. The world above spiralled away, shrinking into a distant pinprick of sunlight until it vanished altogether. Darkness enveloped him, and his consciousness dissolved into nothingness.

He jolted.

He gasped, coughing as he regained his senses. Cool, damp soil pressed against his cheek, gritty and damp.

The distant roar of waves filled his ears, their rhythm steady and hypnotic. And slowly, he pushed himself up on trembling arms, blinking against the brightness of the sun now hanging low in the sky.

Before him stretched an endless ocean, its waters shimmering with hues of gold and silver under the fading light. The salty breeze stung his face as he took in the vast, alien expanse.

He touched his chest, confirming he was alive. But where was he?

And more importantly, how had he survived?

He groaned, crawling to the ocean, drinking greedily from its waves till he quenched his thirst and washed his face.

His ear begins to twitch, picking at the distance echoes of horses neighing.

He got up sluggishly and searched his surroundings, excitement surging within him.

Humans are residing somewhere here, I am not alone.

He thought.

However, he felt something throbbing on his wrist so he glanced down to look at it.

It is the mark on his wrist, It is gleaming again.

What could be the problem?

The last time the mark ever throbbed was when it first manifested on his wrists by the Eye of Samsara. After that, nothing happened out of the ordinary.

So, why is it throbbing erratically now?

Wait !!

The Eye of Samsara!

She couldn't possibly be somewhere around here! Could she?

Distant, noises of horses neighing alongside the barbaric, guttural mockery of men caught his attention again. Which piqued his interest to see what they were doing.

With that, he took a few steps away from the beach, narrowing his gaze at the forest hoping to see something.

And just when he was beginning to lose interest, he caught a glimpse of a woman.

Her glowing white robes billowed behind her as she sprinted past the gnarled trunk of an ancient tree. Her bare feet barely touched the ground, her movements fluid yet frantic.

The soft radiance of her attire illuminated the darkened grove, making her an easy target for those who pursued her.

Behind her came the thunder of hooves, a relentless cadence that shook the earth.

A dozen warriors clad in gleaming crimson armour surged through the undergrowth, their warhorses snorting and rearing as they pressed on. Their red banners snapped in the wind, matching the bloodlust gleaming in their eyes.

A sharp, shimmering pulse coursed through his head, flooding his senses with unbearable intensity. His vision wavered, dissolving into a haze before darkness claimed him in a sudden blackout.

He groaned, wincing as he staggered forward, his legs unsteady beneath him. Shaking his head to clear the haze, he lifted his gaze and fixed his eyes on the forest once more.

His vision sharpened unnaturally, as if guided by a mysterious energy, zooming in on its own accord. The world around him seemed to blur, focusing entirely on the figure ahead. For the first time, he could see who was running.

And then it dawned on him.

Eye of Samsara!

Without a second thought, he swung into action. Sprinting away from the beach charging straight into the heart of the forest.

It suddenly just began to make sense to him now, it feels like he's been here before.

But when was that?

Oh! He could remember now.

It was in his dream and that was how it unfolded.

"Damn it Kalus! You gotta be faster than this. Come on!"

He cursed and gritted to himself in desperation.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

Cathiana gasped for breath, her chest heaving as she stumbled forward. She brushed a trembling hand across her slick auburn hair, pushing the damp strands from her face.

With a sharp glance over her shoulder, her wide, terrified eyes scanned the shadows, searching for any sign of pursuit.

Where did Austrus and Elena go?

Could they have possibly abandoned her?

What if she uses telepathy on the horses to slow their saddlers down?

It should work, right?

She thought but quickly discarded it.

No!

Aside from the fact it will require much energy from her to compel them, she's just too tired now.

"Don't let her get away"

General Hough barked, commanding his warriors.

"Yes sire "

They all chorused in unison, urging their horses as they saddle faster leaving dust behind their wake.

Helplessly, Kalus watched, knowing that the way things were folding, she would stumble and fall, which would allow her enemies to catch her.

Time slowed against his wish, making him too slow to intervene.

Cathiana's breath came in ragged gasps as she ran, her eyes flicking constantly over her shoulder to check if they were still chasing her.

In her frantic haste, she failed to notice the thick, thorny root stretching out from the forest floor.

Her foot struck it with a sickening crack, and before she could react, she was sent tumbling forward. The ground rushed up to meet her, and her face slammed into the dirt, the rough earth scraping her skin.

Dazed, she tried to roll to her side, but by then, it was already too late.

General Hough's men had encircled her with their horses, buying time till his arrival.

And when he came, they created a small pathway for him to pass through.

General Hough climbed down from his horse immediately, walking up to her frowning.

He knelt beside her, grabbed a handful of her hair, rain punches on her with his fist until she wrought in blood.

He smiled wickedly, standing up and towering over as he ran his fingers into the length of his hair.

"It is written Samsara, that you shall die by the hands of the Trinitrians without your Protector. And it has come to pass before your very eyes. The difference in the prophecy is that you won't be dying in the hands of the Trinitarians, but by my hands today without your Protector ."

Another maniac laughing escapes his lip as he unsheathes a short blue sword from a worn scabbard strapped around his waist, he raises it to the surface of the sky, murmuring in the language of the Akiz.

The accent of the dead.

Kalus on the other hand, watched, screaming inaudibly as he unsheathed his sword, raising it above his head.

His eyes reflected the thunder rolls and green-blacked lightning as it flickered down from the sky to touch the tip of the strange knife hoist to the sky. And the scene of General Hough plunging it straight into her chest.

"Argh "

Kalus roared, veins bulging on his forehead.

After that, the sky bellowed again in rumbles, flickering viciously, and time returned to normal.

It was then General Hough noticed Kalus charging at him, he gazes past him to find his men lying dead amidst the grass.

He stood up in shock, the fiendish smile on his lips fading away.

His hands fasten on his sword in haste to unsheathe it.

But It's too late.

Kalus's body tensed with fury, his emotions seething as he channelled every drop of his rage and despair into the technique. With a deep, guttural breath, he focused all his energy on his sword, feeling its weight shift as it became an extension of his will.

In an instant, he launched himself into the air, his muscles straining with the force of the leap.

The blade sliced through the air in a graceful yet brutal arc, tracing the shape of the Arabic number "4" with deadly precision.

The motion was fluid, a whirlwind of steel that shimmered in the light as if time itself bent to his will.

As he passed over General Hough, the blade's energy surged, a powerful blast of force trailing just behind him.

The strike seemed to miss its mark, but the air seemed to crackle with the raw intensity of the attack, leaving the general momentarily stunned in its wake.

Moments later, red geyser blood splinters out of his body, and he splits apart as.

Kalus landed softly on the ground, heart racing, the remnants of his emotions still simmering within him.

"Shhhhhhh, hey.... hey... it's okay .... it's okay...I'm here.."

His voice quivered and trailed off as he scampered to her side, throwing his sword away and gathering her into his arms.

Her eyes, which were once as beautiful as the moon, are now reduced to a puddle of blood.

He could have prevented all this if he had taken decisive action earlier on.

Whoever that bastard was, he regretted giving him an instant death.

Cathiana's swollen lashes slid open sluggishly, coughing violently, and blood began to trail down from the corners of her lips. She grimaces in pain as she looks at Kalus. Lost in his teary eyes for a minute, her lips curled into a bitter smile.

"What took you so long protector..........."

She winced, bright white tears escaping her eyes, disappearing into the dust, and her voice trailing off.

Kalus sobbed silently, shoulders trembling while she hugged her.

"Noooooooooooooooo !!!

"I won't let you die, I promise. "

Kalus said sobbing.

He began to rack his brain, desperately thinking of a way to save her. He knew for sure that he couldn't have leapt that high into the air without the help of the throbbing mark.

If the mark could aid him in achieving a stunt like that, it should be able to save her in one way or the other.

Although he doubts if it will ever work on his own accord, he's still willing to try.

He gently laid Cathiana on the grass, removing the knife plunged into her heart, and pressed down on the wound to stop the bleeding while he closed his eyes in agitation.

"Heal! Heal !!"

He muttered, frustration building as he tried to channel the mark on his wrist to work in his favour.

"Shit !!"

He cursed slamming his bloody palm on the grass beside her.

"Why on earth is it not working? Focus! Kalus focus !"

He rasp trying harder.

Slowly, a sense of comfort washed over him, and his soul transcended to a serene realm surrounded by tranquil waters.

The mark on his wrist pulsed slowly again in a sensation he had never experienced before.

It glimmers in a bright energy, emitting bright blue rays.

As he calms his mind and focuses on healing Cathiana, his energy begins depleting rapidly, resulting in a nosebleed which cascades down from his nose to his Adam's apple.

It surged and paused. Searing, it defies gravity, coursing upward in a fiery torrent towards his brows.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as darkness enveloped his soul, trapping him in its grasp.

Austrus halted in his tracks, stunned by the sight before him.

"Oh gracious Mother"

Austrus murmured, running the length of his hands into his hair in despair.

"Austrus?"

Elena called out as she approached, gasping for breath from a frantic run.

She surveyed the scene, hands instinctively on her sword, ready for whatever danger lay ahead, with a questioning look in her eyes.

Kalus, on the other hand, stiffened at their presence; he rose to his feet with an ominous aura emanating from him.

"Who are you ?"

He demanded, his voice thick with menace.

It was clear that the possessor was still unfamiliar with its host, so it was still struggling to fully understand its new vessel.

His eyes gradually dimmed, replaced by a deepening crimson hue of bloodlust. A cackling sound shattered the silence, and he instead turned his head to gaze at them.

Elena and Austrus exchange glances unsure if he's a friend or foe.

"Listen, we don't have time for talks okay ?. We need to save our friends. She's dying!"

Austrus interjected desperation creeping in his voice.

"Your friend? Hmmm, let me guess. You're the Austrus and she's Elena. Is that right?"

Ignoring Austrus' plea, Kalus continued to interrogate them, his patience wearing thin.

A dark, knowing smile spread across Kalus' lips as he stood tall, his eyes gleaming with purpose.

With a swift, almost imperceptible flick of his wrist, his sword rose from the ground, floating effortlessly before him. The blade hummed with menacing energy, its edge gleaming in the dim light as if eager for the bloodshed to come.

The air around him seemed to thrum with an ominous power as if even the very fabric of reality bent to his will.

"Once more! Are you Austrus and Elena?"

He demanded, his voice impatient. Tinged with a hissing quality.

Austrus frowned, his hands on his hips, infuriated by Kalus' behaviour.

"Yes, that's us. What does it have to do with the situation on the ground?"

Austrus bellowed, his anger boiling over. As for Elena, she quietly unsheathed her sword.

Kalus chuckled darkly and hissed once more.

"Tell me, what kind of friends abandon their comrade in need?"

His gaze shifted from Austrus to Elena.

Austrus' frown deepened.

"Listen! You're going to..."

"Shut the hell up! I wasn't talking to you!"

Kalus snarled and cut in.

His wrist swirled as he brandished the sword, executing a whirlwind technique by slamming its sides against Austrus' chest without even looking at him.

To Elena's surprise, Austrus was sent flying backwards as if propelled by a powerful force, crashing into the distant woods.

For the first time, the stoic mask on her face melted instantly and it is replaced with rage.

"You dare?"

She leeched angrily, attacking him.

Kalus smirked, satisfied with the impact of his attack on Austrus.

"She won't be needing you two anymore,"

He mused to himself, amazed by his strength.

This vessel isn't bad after all.

"No one ignores the question of a princess you twerp!"

Elena yelled angrily, making her move.

Sparks from static lightning began to emerge around her, forcefully fusing with the ground beneath her and evolving into a vicious clap that rocketed into ripples, blowing violently in all directions. Causing trees to tremble, stirring up a devastating sandstorm from its slumber.

She vanished instantly.

Sensing an imminent threat as humans prepare to spar with themselves, one of the birds emits a chickadee alarm call, prompting the rest of them to take flight into the skies.

Minutes later, a blast of energy pulse shattered the surface of the earth, creating electromagnetic waves that split the ground into cracks and spidery lines, expanding towards Kalus' direction.

Time stood still.

Kalus stares at the widening cracks beneath him.

Reacting on pure instinct, he leapt into the air, somersaulting in a desperate bid to defy gravity and land on firmer ground.

Elena manifested from nothingness and swiftly executed a horizontal arc technique-a manoeuvre characterized by two sweeping swings, first from left to right, then from right to left.

Mid-flip, Kalus sensed an approaching threat and grinned, casually slashing out to intercept it.

The clash reverberated with thunderous clangs, unleashing shockwaves that reverberated across the horizon.

"Tsk, who is this guy? He seems to lack any significant power. How is he able to withstand my attacks with sheer brute strength alone?"

She said perplexed.

The sound of claps echoed through the air as he emerged from the dust. Expression darkening, he picked the broken sword from the ground, lips pressed into a thin line with determination etched on his face.

This time, he resolved to be the one to initiate the attack.

With a swift pace, he broke into a frantic run.

Elena grunts weakly, raising her feet while she leans heavily on her sword.

A sudden darkness begins to roll over the sun, catching their attention.

And a tempest of energy coalesced from the cosmos and ignited, targeting them.

Colour drained from Elena's cheek as she felt herself frozen in place. As the ominous aura surged towards her, she only managed to muster every ounce of energy within to shield herself.

Kaboom!

A thunderous shockwave erupted, engulfing them in tumultuous waves polluting the surroundings in a blinding grey light.

The scattered specks of dust shroud in an ominous mist, swirling around ancient gnarled trees that seemed to reach out with twisted branches.

Within it, screams echoed from unseen depths, and jagged rocks jutted out from the barren, desolate ground, casting long shadows in the flickering light of distant flames.

Above the sky, a blood-red moon loomed ominously, casting an eerie glow over the scene, as if heralding the arrival of darkness itself.

Dozens of valiant stood out, draped in armour that seemed forged in the depths of hell itself.

Their armours gleamed with an eerie crimson hue, adorned with spikes that protruded like the horns of infernal beasts.

The finest of the Golmors has arrived.

Lord Azril's cautiously slid the curtains open, his grey brows furrowing as he peeps outside.

"Father, what's wrong?"

Princess Lirl asked alarmed.

"I don't know, let's hope we're not in for another bad day."

Lord Azril sighed and shook his head. About to unlock the carriage door, he paused hesitantly facing Princess Lirl again.

"Lock this door behind me and don't do anything stupid till you hear from me".

Lord Azril warned, gripping her slender shoulder.

Despite seeing his daughter's paled face underneath the white veil there's nothing he could do.

Princess Lirl bites her lower lips, fidgeting.

"I promise.......but..."

She started, but Lord Azril interrupted.

"What?"

Princess Lirl shook her head.

"Nothing. Be safe out there."

She muttered, caressing the ribbons attached to her gown nervously.

Lord Azril nodded and patted her shoulders gently.

"I will Lirl"

With that, he climbed down from the carriage.

And asked for a briefing from one of his warriors.

In no time, he realized that the carriage was halted by his General, Bale, to scout the area.

Although he was relieved with what he had just heard from his warriors, he still went ahead to seek Bale out questioning him.

General Bale was first to see him, so he saddled his horse up to him in salutation.

"My Lord, corpses are obstructing our path to the east, sire. So we'll need to change our course."

Lord Azril frowned.

This was the same route they followed when they travelled months ago; how come there are now corpses there?

"Hmmm, that's strange. Get me the map"

Lord Azril ordered.

Instantly, Princess Lirl's maid, Jenny, dashed forward.

Her footsteps quickened as she approached Lord Azril, her breath coming in hurried gasps. With trembling hands, she extended a delicate white seal to him.

The seal was intricately laced with a fine white coating, each thread carefully woven to perfection. Adorning its edges were crimson-red beads, glinting like drops of blood against the pristine white background.

Hastely, he took it from her checking the content inside it.

" We're on the right course. Take me to the scene, let me take a look."

Lord Azril demanded, tossing the seal into the air behind him.

Oblivious to the maid's presence, she lunged forward in a desperate attempt to intercept it before it could plummet to the ground and soil its pristine surface.

"Five men! With me."

General Bale commanded, handing the reins of the extra horses to Lord Azril hesitating.

Five skilled warriors saddled immediately alongside General Bale and Lord Azril.

Arriving there, they were graced by a swarm of buzzing flies and an overwhelming stench that assaulted their nostrils, triggering a nauseating sensation that threatened to make them retch.

Lord Azril spat, using his broad sleeves to cover his nose.

"This is a massacre !"

He groaned, muffling and instantly regretting his decision.

"Father"

Princess Lirl called her Father over.

"Huh!"

Lord Azril looked up in surprise.

"Over here."

Princess Lirl's voice, reminiscent of a bird's delicate song, echoed softly from somewhere amidst the ruins at the far end.

"When did you get there? Didn't I.....

Lord Azril's voice trailed off in anger and he smacked his face.

"I know, Father, but I just felt drawn here like there's some sort of spiritual energy or artefacts."

Princess Lirl answered.

"Besides, there happens to be no danger at

all"

She added, chuckling nervously.

"Then what are you still doing there? Get the hell out of there now!"

Lord Azril yelled angrily almost breaking his vocal cords.

However, desperation and wrinkles are etched all over his face when he realizes that she isn't paying attention to what he's saying.

"Don't worry, you trained me to get myself familiar with situations like this. So I remain unfazed."

Princess Lirl fired back.

General Bale objected by coughing.

"What do you mean, is that a joke?."

Lord Azril said furiously.

"Careful, Princess, you will soil your robes if you go down into that crater. Hold on! Let me help."

Generate Bale said with a mixed expression on his face as he left Lord Azril's side, heading over to her.

" I don't need your help thank you."

Princess Lirl snapped back.

"Oh! Okay".

General Bale came to an abrupt halt, with a complicated expression on his face.

Princess Lirl turns to her Father instead.

"Father, I have found a treasure!"

Princess Lirl boomed excitedly again.

Lord Azril had chosen to remain indifferent, knowing fully well that General Bale may have a soft spot for his daughter.

Who wouldn't adore his immensely beautiful daughter?

General Bale, a man in his twenties, young, promising.

If not because he was the one who raised Bale as a kid who grew up into a skilful warrior with immense potential to lead his armies and serve under him, he would have supported him in courting his daughter.

"Today must be our lucky day then. Bale, why are you standing there? Come up here now!"

Lord Azril boomed in humourless laughter, urging him to come along.

General Bale nodded and followed him.

However, when General Bale and Lord Azril arrived at the place where Princess Lirl was, an overbearing silence ensued amongst the three as they continued gaping at the dust-covered body clad in tattered, rusted armour in the crater.

Lord Azril and General Bale exchange glances.

Princess Lirl couldn't be possibly pranking them, could she?

"Oh come on! You must be kidding."

Lord Azril growled, massaging his brows disappointed.

Princess Lirl looked at her Father, knowing fully well that he was going to start criticizing her again.

"Father, let me explain. You know quite well, that my eyes have never...

Lord Azril cuts in impatiently.

" Hell yes! Your eyes have never deceived us, right? Your eyes led us to this expedition, and we've come back with nothing. That's no problem.

And now, you led us here only to discover a rotten body covered in a broken rusten armour as a treasure !? You know what! I'm beginning to think those eyes of yours are fast becoming ordinary...."

Lord Azril barked.

Princess Lirl cowered away from her Father, and her shoulders slumped in sadness.

Tears sting in her eyes, and anger and irritation begin to seethe in her mind.

"Father! You've only criticised my gift when it isn't working in your favour. My intuitions have always been right.

You never see me as your daughter without my gifts, the only time you ever treated me as one is when I use my gift to get you treasures.

" Without my gifted eyes, you would never have amassed this level of riches. So don't start criticising them now because they didn't give you what you need. I wish Mom was here!"

She fired back outrageously at her Father falling on her knees sobbing.

Lord Azril looked at his daughter speechless.

He sighed heavily, walking away.

Embarrassed by the outburst between Father and daughter, General Bale chose to go the opposite direction instead.

"Wait!"

Princess Lirl stopped him amidst her tears.

"What is it, Princess?"

General Bale asked coldly.

"There's something mysterious about this body buried in ruins, I need your help to bring it body out."

Princess Lirl said wiping her tears.

"Your Father won't agree to something like this, why should I help you?"

General Bale narrowed his gaze at her, crossing his arms over his breastplate.

"I am begging you, please help me out on this."

Princess Lirl pleaded with him.

Although General Bale was willing to help, her giving it a second thought wasn't worth it.

"I refuse."

He whispered closing his eyes and turning his back against her to walk away.

"Bale!."

She called out his name, sniffing back tears.

General Bale froze, struck by the realization that this was the first time she had ever addressed him by his name.

Her voice was soft, tinged with a pleading tone.

"What?"

He asked, turning to look at her when he felt a sudden lightness collide against him.

Princess Lirl?

The same lady who had always been distant from him, now embraced him as though they were lovers.

He growled inwardly, amazed at the softness of her slender body as she trembled against him, crying.

Unlike her, he remained impassive, a wall of steel.

"Ahem"

The five men who had come along with them cleared their throats. Shifting on their horses uncomfortably.

General Bale swallowed hard.

"Princess Lirl, we shouldn't..." he stammered.

"I know Bale, Please!"

She sniffed, looking into his eyes.

And that was all he needed.

After a moment's contemplation, he agreed, gazing into her dilating eyes.

Together, they returned to the crash site.

She watched General Bale leapt and soar into the sky, landing inside the crater.

With great effort, he carried the body from the crater.

"Geez this guy weighs a ton."

He grunted to himself.