A glimpse of the misty veil draped over the land of death will reveal the last true battle, the finale of it all. Clomp, clomp, can you hear them? The frontline greets the fearless steps of the warriors shaking the earth. The sound of the golden flag harmonized with the crimson, sending agonizing melodies into the piercing wind. The loyal under the dragon’s flag welcomes the children of the south in raising blades. Deploy in front of the lines, thousands of men in shining armor with spears and blades, already pushing shields forward, ready to engage.
Through the faint mist, they finally meet. For once, they were brothers, sharing the same blood. Now, they are commanders, they are rivals. Here to praise their names, to claim what belongs. Still wearing that smile, Arioch rides to the front of the troops. The crown that shines above his head, arrogantly speaks of his absolute authority. A cold smirk drew on Alderic’s face. “Father must be disappointed. After all, he raised a thief.” His gaze purposefully falls on the golden sword in Arioch’s hand. Everything their late father fought for all his life was now in his name forcefully. How irony. “You were always bad with jokes. Don’t you the one who killed our father?” A snap from the King and a prisoner is immediately dragged next to him in chains. “Still, I have some reward for your effort.”
Pulling out the hood, the wind blew the crimson hair. Apatheticity dyed her expression, and darkness surrounded her gaze. The sight of Cecil sends a ray of animosity to Theodore. On her clear skin, blushing wounds and scratches bloom dazzlingly. A newly cut on her cheek shattered the fragments of a carefree apprentice in his mind. Quietly taking his heartache gaze, no words escape her lips. Like a flame, her figure stands out in the darb snow. Staring straight into Arioch, only when the guard kicks is she forced to kneel. Unable to accept such ridiculous scene, Theodore tightens the reins. Yet, Alderic’s hand was blocked before the doctor. Staying solemnly, Alderic raises the stoic tone, “You know the price, Arioch. I’m sure your father has taught you well.” Watching the little show, Arioch let out an amusing smile. The cold stare moved to hateful Theodore. If only Alderic were destroyed, he could easily crush all of these amateurs in this palm. “Don’t be fooled by him. She was stronger than you think.” A firm reminder from Reid retrieves fragments of his usual calmness. Fixing on her, how come he never realizes? The inexorable will have awakened in the little apprentice he protected all those years. How could he not see the seed of revenge nurtured in her bleeding heart? On that burning day, that man killed her love, killed the old Cecil. How could they not see, hidden behind those soft crimson curls, the delights of ending the prey?
“How about we play a little game, brother?” Arioch smiled. “But a game is no fun without risks.” Nothing good ever comes out of that devilish mouth, Alderic sure. Disgust crept into the warriors behind his back. “If you want to run, then go. I have no intention of playing with you.” Alderic threatens. “Still childish. Maybe that’s why your lowborn mother died.” The hand holding the silver sword tightens. Pointing at an observer nearby, King of Hyram continues, “What we do today will forever be written in history, forever immortal with time.” A dangerous smirk curved. “Whoever wins shall have both continents.” A concussive statement. An utterly arrogant man blindly believed in a final victory. "Alderic, you shouldn’t-” Reid’s voice stops in mid-air. “Then we shall play this final power game.” Alderic smiled in return. “Just like we used to.”
The command of Alderic ripped through the stillness of the air, hissing, “Charge!” Gripping their shields and spears tight. Immediately, the front proceeds to move forward one step at a time, following them is another line already pointing the spear high, to the enemies they come.
On the rival side lies King Arioch, smirking at the seemingly absurd scene before raising his hand to the solemn man on the black horse. In no time did the knights of Hyram, darting to Averi, fully display their obnoxious grins, as if surely knowing their opponents would die. The sides collapse into one, harmonizing in the dance of war. “For freedom!” Their shout lingering in the stream of snow, bearing all hopes and dreams rested at the tip of the spear and blades, now with invincible strength granted, comes. Swords met swords, only the clanking and grunting could be heard from the battlefield’s heart. Blood met sweat, only the familiar scent lingered. Alderic was already racing with the speed of an arrow, and the silver blade dyed the color of snow complemented the emerald pearls' bathed determination. Under these scared hands, he promises to slay every single one of them. Clearing a rose path ahead, joining him from behind is Theodore who draws a clean move. Thud. The sharp blade reached deep inside a man’s heart, only when he stopped squirming helplessly did the weapon pull out. Leaving behind the blood-dripping sword are the frightened lines on the already collapsed corpse. Then comes another one.
In the corner of his eyes appears Reid, swiftly running up. Master in speed and skill; indeed, no one could compete against him. The determined strike quickly tore deep into the enemies’ weaknesses. Darkness and death greet before they could even lift up their swords to fight. One to strike and the other to support, the blades in his hands dance flawlessly. His agile body swiftly cut through the hardest defense, leaving only blood behind. Warm streaks splashed on his apathetic face, on his hands. Quickly, they surrounded and outnumbered him in the hope of defeating the culprit of destruction. No mood of retreat, Reid boldly attacks one after another. Against such combined strength, even the bravest blade has to back down. Wiping away the sweat on his forehead, a sharp sword points at him. Just before it could touch him, a knife stabbed the rival’s head. The others quickly raised up their shields to defense as other mysterious daggers instantly kill in a split second. Contrary to the hint of surprise and fright on their faces, Reid picks up his swords casually.
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Walking from the smoke, comes a man playing with the daggers in his hand. Ashes lingering on his black braid, threats colored his dark eyes. The long scar running across his right eye only stressed the fear. There was no doubt he was the sinner behind the mystery daggers. “Are you hurt?” Axl’s palm gently caresses Reid’s cheeks. His tone is soft as feathers, with no intention of hiding his sincere fondness. Reid shakes his head lightly “You don’t have to come here. I can handle myself.” Axl’s fingertips tenderly wipe away the blood drops on Reid’s lips corner. “I know.” He leans in for a light kiss. “I just miss you.” His words immediately brought a blush to Reid’s cheeks. How could he even have the mood to tease in this situation?
The dark eyes drift from the bleeding scratch on Reid’s arm to the shielding soldiers nearby. “They did this to you?” Coldness bore his voice. Before Reid says anything, Axl charges. Perhaps contrary to Reid’s neat move, Axl was fond of brutal strikes. Perhaps what he just saw on Reid has fueled a flame of rage. But little did they know that to never provoke a sleeping beast. Axl immediately dashes while using the obstacles to his advantage, moving so quickly that the knights become confused, and then, in the final move, he launches a massive leap. Pulling six daggers from his pockets while in mid-air, their lives end in a single streak. Axl lands effortlessly, but behind his back is a devastating scene.
Watching the battlefield from outside, Arioch smirked playfully. As the number of Hyram’s men quickly cuts down before Averi’s powerful response, Arioch takes no time to command a knight. Soon enough, a line of pistols rises in front of Hyram’s frontline. The gun barrels target the soldiers of Averi, and with a simple motion, rains of bullets fall upon them. “Game over, brother.”
With faltering steps, the screaming wind greets the sage. Looking up at the gloomy sky, Sheritre sheds a tear. The warcry of the battlefield lurks in the wind, reaching her ears. Wrapping the necklace in her hand, she knows. Such broken images as she sees serve no purpose. The fragments she saw… No, she demanded answers. Caressing the silver ring on her, its coldness crept into her heart. The only memory of her mother, a secret kept by Wennefer. “I’m sorry, mother.” For the first time, the ring left her finger. “I will no longer be protected. This time I will protect them.”
viam sapientiae monstrabo tibi
Waves of power rush into her senses. Opening her eyes, thousands of images appear before her. With the mind walking among other realms, cutting through the layers of time and history. Such enormous knowledge forced Sheritre to stumble, sending enormous pain to each inch of her skin. Biting her lips till the scent of blood fills her mouth, Sheritre summons all her might to keep the fragile string of lucidity. The faint image of that illusion, of the man holding the bloody blade in the white snow, appears frail. No… Her hands reach out to the illusion in her helpless growl. Almost there… Pain shattered her body, carrying the agony of a thousand blades cutting her flesh.
Then it stops. Her world falls silent.
Open her eyes again, and she meets a chamber. Bathed in the halo, a rare relief washed over her chaotic mind. The glass window shreds the soothing light of the sun. Notice her, the woman sitting in the middle of the chamber, closing the leather book. White roses surrounded, praising her beauty. Her smiling silver gaze welcomes ‘I have waiting for you.’ Yearning fills her heart… As if this woman is someone deeply important. Stepping forward, Sheritre speaks determinedly, “Please show me the answers to all.” ‘Even when you will have to pay the price?’ A nod replies to her.
The woman reaches out her hand with a sad smile. Quietly taking a deep breath, Sheritre took her hand. Whatever price it might take, as long as she could protect them. A soft wind blew away the rose petals, surrounded them. “As I am seeking knowledge, I offer my all.” The chamber starts to vanish in light, slowly breaking into crystal pieces. The woman gently caresses her hair as her kiss falls softly on her forehead. ‘My sweet hyacinth.”...
Open her eyes, this time darkness greets her. A soft whistle and Orville lands on her hands. With the help of Amber, who is now coming back, a message will be quickly delivered to Alderic. Bloody tears of loss rolled down her pale cheeks.
“Thank you, Mother.”