Binko rushed through the forest floor, four other war mages trailing closely after her.
“Binko, we've been running for 4 hours,” one of them shouted. His name was Kalum. “We’ll be in Pirun in about 4 hours, but we still don’t know exactly what we’re going to be doing there!”
“Probably just watch to be honest,” Binko said. “Also find out what happened to Lara. I heard a loud bang and her essence faded. I think she was knocked out.”
“I just hope we don’t get discovered or anything.” Kalum said.
“Don’t be a fucking coward, Kalum. We are literally warriors.” Binko snapped.
“We will be folded like paper sheets if we get caught in an actual battle spell.” Kalum laughed. “I’m just as brave as the next guy, but there really was no point dragging us out here without preparation, Binko.”
“Ugh, Let’s just get there and see. Hark is there, If a soft baby like Hark is okay there, so can we.”
The group laughed.
“Probably don’t call Hark a soft baby to his face.” Kalum laughed.
“Yeah, Binko.” Another Mage, named Royi said. “It’s not his fault he has a rich daddy.”
“What the hell?” Binko laughed. “Is Hark paying you guys to run defense for him?”
“Just saying, Binko.” Kalum said. “Hark is a great mage in his own right. Yeah he’s a little spoiled but he’s good at what he does.”
“Ugh alright.” Binko said. Rolling her eyes.
--
Almost as soon as Lakan breathed out, a fast bright object zipped out from the rubble, and, rushing past Ganz’s men, made for him. Lakan gasped and jumped to the window to get a better look. Ganz was caught unaware as the bright object turned out to be General Makon in a glowing shield.
Ganz had only a millisecond to activate his own shield before General makon struck him with his sword that had been imbued with Energy. The blade penetrated Ganz’s feeble shield and slashed him across the back, scraping the bones of his spine. Blood spilled as Ganz cried out in pain, stumbling forward. Ganz’s men rushed away from the men they were capturing and made for General Makon.
They were immediately overwhelmed by a group of about a dozen new Sungan mages that rushed at them from seemingly nowhere, locking them in melee combat.
Lakan stepped back from the window and tried to understand what had just happened. Then he felt a wave poking him, He picked it up and felt the essence of Hark.
“Hello Lakan!” Hark shouted. “I found Lara! She’s hit her head on the wall, she’s in critical condition. Also there’s another group of Sungan warriors heading towards you! There’s about 15 of them.”
“Yeah…” Lakan said absentmindedly. “They just got here.”
“Wow, they're fast.” Hark remarked. “Anyways I’m taking Lara to any healer I can find. Stay safe man”
Lakan rushed to the window again and looked at the battle, but it had moved away. Lakan bit his lip in frustration and headed towards the door, he put his hand on the door to open it, at that same moment, Ganz crashed through it, knocking him backwards towards the opposite wall. His bouncy shield saved both Him and Ganz, who was terribly injured.
The tall and shiny figure of General Makon appeared at the door frame as Lakan was struggling to stand up.
He walked slowly inside the room, then noticed Lakan. He paused.
“Aren’t you a mage?” He asked, Noticing the clothes Lakan wore. “Where are you from?”
Lakan froze.
“Answer me you cretin!” Makon bellowed while Ganz groaned and struggled to stand up. His back bled and there were multiple slashes and bruises over his arms.
“Aku’anda!” Lakan shouted, curling up.
General Makon laughed. “What were you doing here? No doubt spying like the roaches you Aku’andans are.”
He walked up and picked up Ganz by the cuff, then walked away, at the door frame, he looked back at Lakan.
“Fly back to Aku’anda and tell them of the great Sungan victory here,” he said. “Tell them they’re next.”
General Makon Jumped away from the door frame to a nearby rooftop, leaving lakan hyperventilating in fear but also relief. He waved to Hark immediately.
“The Starblast failed.” He said immediately Hark picked up.
“The Sungans never actually attacked with their full force. It was a deception.” Lakan said.
“Relax Lakan.” Hark said. “You’re speaking like you saw a devil.”
“Yeah I did.” Lakan said. “General Makon outplayed Ganz. He’s won.”
“What?” Hark asked.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“He said Aku’anda’s next.” Lakan said.
“What? Is he crazy?” Hark said, clearly offended. “If he thinks Aku’anda is like this backwater city or his archaic hometown…”
“We haven’t fought a war in over a century, Hark,” Lakan said. Somewhat sadly. “I don’t think the Sungans ever stopped training.”
“They’re still no match for us.” Hark said indignantly. “Nobody can beat Aku’anda. Not if we have time to prepare. They’ll get their asses handed to them.”
“Hmmm,” Lakan said absentmindedly. He looked out the window and noticed the sky getting dark. Night was coming. “Where are you, Hark? I’m coming to you.”
--
Binko got to Hark before Lakan did. It was already night time and the battle had ended. The Sungans, from every indication, seemed to have won. Binko listened as Lakan gave a report on the battle.
“You’re brave as heck, Lakan.” Royi said. “I would’ve peed my pants getting caught runeless like that.”
“Yeah,” Binko said. “I remember one time when I got caught runeless in some small village where I was visiting my distant relatives. Random village men kicked my ass. It’s crazy how frail we all are without spells. Nice work, Lakan.”
Lara remained unconscious throughout the night, being cared for by a healer Hark had found, and the group rented rooms in an inn nearby.
--
Around midnight, Regar arrived in Pirun. He stopped just in front of the gates… the rubble that was left of it.
Lord Daron got down and vomited. His head banged and his joints ached. Regar offered help but he stopped him.
“I’ll be fine.” Lord Daron said. He looked at the gates. They had been torn, the walls around them broken up and blasted towards the inside. The entire city was quiet so someone had won, it just wasn’t clear who it was.
Regar waved to the Mages in the city, Lakan picked, He directed them to the inn they were in, Lord Daron was so sick he couldn’t walk, so they arranged to have a wheeled carriage come pick him up.
They got to the inn and Lord Daron was given a room. He had developed a fever and had to be cared for, he was not even able to take Lakan’s report.
One hour after midnight, Everyone had finally fallen asleep. The sleep was fitful on all sides.
At the break of dawn, they heard a loud ring. Everyone jolted awake, including Lord Daron who was now almost fully recovered from his speed sickness.
There were two more rings and then Lord Makon’s grating voice rang throughout the city. The Sungans had apparently decided to spend the night creating a massive acoustic network throughout the city.
“Behold, citizens of Pirun! You have been liberated!” General Makon’s voice rang out. “Ganz the ursuper has been defeated! We will execute this bastard in the next hour. If you wish to see his demise, then come to the city center.”
“Makon you bastard!” Lord Daron shouted. “Regar, Take me to the city center at great speed.”
“My lord we are close to the city center. It’s only fifteen minutes away from here.” Regar responded, not wanting to subject Lord Daron to any more speed.
“No, I need to be there as soon as possible.” Lord Daron. “Don’t worry about my health.”
Regar looked at his fellow mages, they shrugged. Regar bowed and Lord Daron clambered onto his back, then he sped out, the other mages sped after him.
They got to the city center very quickly and saw General Makon Directing men to set up the scene. Lord Daron accosted him immediately.
“General Makon, what is this madness? Where is Ganz?”
General Makon noticed Lord Daron and grinned.
“Well, Aku’andans!” he said. “Not so difficult now, is it? You cowards would have us kowtow to that criminal! Treat him as equals! Aku’anda has lost its way!”
“You have lost YOUR way!” Lord Daron snapped back. “And what if you had not won?”
“But we did win!” General Makon said. “We could not have lost.”
“We specifically told you Sungans to NOT attack! Why do you dishonor the counsel of fellow Kingdoms in this way?” Lord Daron accused.
“What fellow Kingdoms?” Makon laughed. “Everyone knows Aku’anda was the coward who didn’t want to attack. The rest of us were more than willing to. Of course, Navon and Seyrule are obedient little puppies that do whatever Daddy Aku’anda asks them too. But we don't. WE do what is right, no matter what!”
Lord Daron sighed. “This is not right. There is value in peace, there is value in diplomacy.”
“No such value trumps the value of Royalty and Heritage,” General Makon shot back. “No such value trumps preventing the scum of the earth from ruling over a people.”
“Your needless attack has killed dozens of innocent people, injured hundreds, and displaced even more!” Lord Daron shot back. He didn’t know this for a fact since he didn’t get a report, but he simply guessed.
“It is a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.” General Makon replied. “A sacrifice Aku’anda did not have the balls to make!”
“Where is Ganz you rebellious fool!” Lord Daron bellowed. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“I don’t answer to you!” General Makon replied loudly.
“I am a Lord Mage of Aku’anda!” Lord Daron shouted back furiously.
“And?” General Makon said, stepping forward and raising an eyebrow.
“How dare you!” Lord Daron asked, shaking in anger.
People were beginning to gather around, watching the exchange between Lord Daron and Makon. Aku’anda had enjoyed a century of hegemony for over a century, but this behavior from General Makon threatened everything they had built.
Lord Daron quickly assessed the situation. He was surrounded by War Mages, yes, but they were most likely only equipped with basic fighting spells for law enforcement, no doubt the Sungans were equipped with more devastating battle spells. If he caused a conflict here, his side would lose.
“Lord Makon… You court war with your fellow kingdoms?” Lord Daron asked as calmly as he could manage.
“It’s GENERAL Makon.” He shot back. “This is exactly the problem with you Aku’andans. You have lost respect for the rest of us, our customs mean nothing to you. Sungan Warriors do NOT become Lords. We are Warriors and Generals. It’s clear to me now, Aku’anda is no longer fit to be the arbiter of law and order in Gan.”
“General Makon…” Lord Daron began.
“I challenge your authority, by the powers vested in me by the Sungan Royalty!” General Makon said.
“The Sungan Royalty? You mean you are doing this under royal orders?” Lord Daron asked.
“You think I'm a traitor?” General Makon bellowed. Seeming very offended by the suggestion. “I am loyal to Sungan to the end. I would spill every drop of my own blood for it. We are no longer bound by you. In fact, we are coming for you. Now be quiet and watch as we do the simple task that you failed to do.”
Lord Daron was about to reply but General Makon simply walked away. Lord Daron, and for that matter, the rest of the mages with him, stared in shock, Lakan sighed. The crowd had grown large and they simply resigned to watch Ganz’s execution.