RMW
Chapter Twenty Two
Kolo’s Revenge
~SV~
Dark Elf Desert Castle, Night 5:30 AM, 677, 28th, October
Edmund tosses Alrod roughly into the Light Elves’ quarters. The Prince rolls to a stop against the wall. He cautiously stands up, confused by the lack of relief. Alrod now accepts the fact that he deserves to be punished for all the suffering he caused Alnesa, her parents, and his own mum. Guilt and remorse have him disliking himself. Glaring at Alrod, Edmund coldly states, “Do not mistake my rescue, as me approving of your bad behavior and actions.”
The Prince nods his head, Edmund adds, “I would prefer to see you use your balls to face your poor decisions, rather than just to convince a young girl that intimacy would solve her problems. I hope you realize what a rotten rogue you really were, even though your father instigated it!” Before Prince Alrod can say anything, Edmund disappears. A breeze goes by Queen Vanna as she comes in; her son sees she looks suspiciously disheveled.
After she closes and bolts the door, his mother asks Alrod, “Why was the door open?” Alrod refuses to admit just how close he came to dying; so, he only shrugs and is afraid he will burst into a loud cry at any moment. Prince Alrod rushes off to his room; there he quickly undresses, and now collapses into bed. A sudden pounding on their door causes Queen Vanna to gasp, “Oh dear.” She cautiously opens it to King Haldir and his guards,
They shove past her, demanding, “Where is your son?” Fearfully, Vanna points with great concern, “In his room. What are you accusing him of now?” Two guards bring the Prince out to face their King. Prince Alrod is only wearing his groin wrap. He looks half-asleep, when in reality Alrod is just drained of all hope that he might escape his stupidity. His mind is dark with the weight of his never-ending mistakes, starting with believing his father.
King Haldir is confused by Alrod’s lack of clothes. Haldir states to the sleepy looking Prince, “If I find you in my daughter’s room, I will kill you where you stand. Is that clear?” Alrod straightens his shoulders and now looks him in the eyes, “Yes, your majesty. I regret all of the pain I have caused.” Vanna goes pale. However, she appreciates that her son decided to face his failures.
Yet, the danger and tension make Vanna feel faint. The Dark Elf King is less certain that Alrod had been in Alnesa’s room. As he turns to look at Queen Vanna, for the first time in a long time, Haldir sees something he desires. He gets a cold smile as he begins planning just how to get back at them for this; admitting only to himself that King Bailey is the one behind all his suffering.
~*~
Front of Blackstone Castle, Hours until Dawn, 677, 28th, October
Donatello rolls out of the Evil One’s reach, successfully putting out the flames, as he comes up on his feet in pain. Sidonia’s Guard steps back less certain of himself, he debates on running, then sees Kolo’s flame fizzles out. Donatello rushes Kolo, ready to fight him, despite his painful burns. Losing his power has Kolo in a panic, as he retreats, yelling at the Day Guards, “Charge him you idiots!”
Sidonia’s Guard nears, as the Evil One cannot limp away faster, than her guard is coming. Kolo tries to bring his fire back and fails. Donatello groans, as four shadows come, he tries to get to Kolo first. His foe flees, with a fearful wail, “Keep him away, until I get my power back!” The Guards come from behind Kolo, and block the Evil One, before Donatello is close enough to swing. Frantic Kolo dares attack the nearest guard, Joseph who is protecting him.
Kolo plunges his fangs into Joseph; the Evil One gorges himself with more than just thirst, he is frantic to get his strength and fire back. Donatello faces the three, as he swings at the nearest one, the blade cuts the Guard’s neck, killing him before he can use his sword. The other two guards back up at the black blade’s deathblow. Kolo drinks Joseph to death, letting the body drop to the dirt. The Evil One calls another guard, drinking him dry he falls on Joseph.
The Evil One shoves Whitey at Donatello. Sidonia’s guard feels he has no choice, as he swings, the sword cuts into Whitey’s chest. Donatello is shocked when it not only cut through the metal of his vest it also sent Whitey flying, yet fails to kill him, as he was not close enough to cut him deeper. Whitey struggles to stand, then runs for the weapon that was flung from his hand. Donatello accepts that the Day Guards earn death, if they attack or keep him from Kolo.
Donatello will do what he must to finish this, as he goes for the next one who is standing before Kolo. Seeing the strength of his black sword, the Guards know they are no match for Sidonia’s protector. Kolo calls more Human Guards to him. Donatello swings as Grunt brings his sword to block the coming hit of the Black Dragon Sword. The power of Donatello’s hit, knocks Grunt’s sword from his hand, sending Grunt running after it.
Kolo backs away from the speed and force of Donatello’s sword. Furlif comes to help the fiend to flee. Kolo yells at the others, “I command you all to trap him and knock Donatello out, then bring him to me alive, so I can kill him! Do it now!” Kolo’s order forces the others that are behind Donatello to come forward. He chooses to try to outrun them; he chases Kolo. Furlif sees this and struggles out of the Evil One’s grasp. Furious the Evil One shoves Furlif at him.
As Sidonia’s Guard nears, Furlif flees rather than face him. Donatello is close enough that he decides to swing, even if it is at the fiend’s back for it is what the coward deserves. Kolo looks over his shoulder in fear, seeing Donatello bringing his sword back. The Evil One has terror in his voice, as he commands, “Hurry! Help me!” Just then, two guards Dumworth and Duckweed run up behind Donatello, throwing their net over him. It holds Donatello’s swing back.
Donatello cannot hit Kolo, as the net encompasses his sword. Her protector quickly attempts to fling it off, just as the two guards shove him from behind. Stumbling forward, Donatello’s feet catch the net; he just gets his balance and starts to become mist. It is too late, as the two thrust their daggers at his back. Duckweed’s blade hits into one of the metal squares in Donatello’s protective lamellar vest. Dumworth’s knife hits the leather binding between the metal.
It cuts through the vest, stabbing into Donatello’s skin, muscle, and then punctures his kidney. Dumworth taunts, “The daggers are a gift from Tik!” The knife and wound bring Donatello back from mist into his solid form. Donatello finds he cannot mist, and worries; the wound is deadly. Yelling out, “Cowards!” As he begins to fall, Donatello tries again to become mist; he fails.
Sidonia’s Guard roughly hits the ground knocking the sword from his grip he senses his doom. He feels the sword sheathe itself, as he grabs at the net. Her guard struggles, managing to get to his knees. He reaches behind him grabbing the knife. The handle is burning Donatello’s hand as he pulls the knife from his lower back. In the net, the dagger is easier to untangle.
Her guard cannot use his sword within the confining net, he manages to bring the knife in front of him. Donatello finds it is as he starts to suspect, the dagger is made of iron, which kept him from becoming mist. Her guard impales its blade in the dirt, hoping with the iron dagger removed he can mist away, and tries. Regrettably, he still fails, Donatello is now too weak to change. He feels between the burns and knife wound, misting is no longer an option.
Quickly he grabs the dagger, ignoring the burns caused by its iron handle, as he cuts the net from his knees down. Rushing to stand, he lifts the net up to his hips, just as Dumworth and Duckweed rush around him, this time with a rope. Unable to get the net over his head in time, they bind Donatello’s arms and legs by wrapping the rope around him. Her guard tries to cut at the net and rope, as Dumworth who successfully stabbed him, comes to smirk.
Dumworth yells taunts into his face, “Are you crying yet? Too bad the wee Princess is not here to save you. Just give up!” Donatello grins as he sinks the knife into his chest. Dumworth’s eyes go wide with fear, as he knows it is a deathblow. Sidonia’s Guard replies, “I will never give up.” Her protector has no guilt over killing that Human; he tries to keep the dagger when Dumworth falls. The guard Grunt, gutlessly shoves Donatello from behind, toppling him.
It causes him to lose his grip of the dagger as he hits the ground hard. Duckweed pulls Dumworth to the gate, asking, “Help me with my brother.” Tik mocks, “Too late, he just died.” Duckweed looks down seeing Tik is right, his brother is dead. Furious, he grabs another rope and runs to Donatello, tying the rope around his ankles. Squat and Grunt help, using the rope they drag Donatello south of the Fortress’s wall. Turning along the river, the guards still pull him.
They drag Donatello for a hundred yards, over rocky ground, causing deep gouges into his burnt back. Bound tightly Donatello can do nothing to stop them nor get away, he groans at the pain, and feels doomed. When they get to where Kolo is waiting near the path to the wharf, they halt. Sidonia’s guard hears the fiend demand, “Stand him up.” Kolo furiously spits as he adds, “Hold him so I can look him in the eyes.” The Evil One now limps a little closer.
Donatello sees the right side of Kolo’s face is bright red and charred looking. As the foe struggles to stand before him, Donatello fights his fears, choosing to mock the Evil One, “You look crispy and still smell burnt.” Kolo flinches, but smugly retorts, “It seems you were demanding to see me just the other day, implying I was afraid to face you. Here, I, am!” Smirking, Donatello replies, “Not a coward after all? It only took your sister doing battle for you.”
Kolo fumes with guilt, as Sidonia’s Guard adds, “Oh, and the help of a few dozen humans. Yes, now that they have bound me, only then… are you brave enough to come this near, and dare to face me. I was right; you continue to be a spineless, evil fiend!”
~*~
Out of desperation, six-year-old Princess Sidonia scoots up the trunk until she can reach the next higher branch and climbs up onto it. The wolf’s next jump overshoots his intended limb, as he tumbles downward; hitting the lower branches before falling to the ground, where the gray wolf howls in pain. It shakes the tree nearly causing the dark little girl to fall; just in time, her hands grasp and hold tightly to the trunk. She fears her grip will soon fail her.
Sidonia sees that the gray wolf has an odd yellow glow to him. She hopes the wolf is harmed enough to leave as she waits to get her breath. Instead of being fatally injured, the wolf gets up, jumps, making the lowest branch again. Sidonia sees the wolf try for the next one and he makes it as well, forcing her to go up. As she gets to the smaller branch, she is almost confident, then it bends under her slight weight. The Princess grasps holding onto the trunk.
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She fears this smaller branch will break as she slowly lowers herself to try going back to the previous one. Shaking the tip of her boot misses the limb. She feels it is unreachable. The little girl now sits on the branch and tries to get it. Still, she cannot go lower. She is unsure how to get down and clings to the trunk. The dark girl’s arms are bleeding from the bark scraping her, and they burn with pain. Princess Sidonia believes she is fated to fall and die in the woods.
Her body is shaking from her efforts and fear. Sidonia gives into her terror as she screams, “Father! Wolf! Help me, Father please!” The tree sways again with the leap of the gray wolf. It causes Sidonia’s branch to wobble and creak, warning her it is ready to break. Panic fills her, as she holds tight to the tree unable to go anywhere. The Princess hears the snapping of twigs, and even hopes her mother decided to save her, after all. Sidonia looks below her.
She becomes dizzy. It adds to her terror, as she sees it is not help… it is the other Wolves in his pack arriving. The first wolf leaps again, successfully landing him onto the next branch. Sidonia stares up in desperation. The limbs above are even smaller than the one she is on; she believes she will fall to her death if she risks it. Her foe looks up, eyeing her and makes it to a higher branch. She is certain she will die by the gray wolf’s teeth, as it snarls up at her.
Sidonia feels the fall is preferable and wills herself to let go. The Princess finds that she cannot release the trunk or move, frozen with fear; she doubts help will get to her in time.
~*~
Kolo orders the three guards, “Get him bound to that gate!” He follows them as Duckweed and Squat lose hold of Donatello, because the barrier is burning them, their captive nearly topples onto the fiend, and Grunt quickly yanks Sidonia’s guard back. Donatello struggles and cannot mist nor free himself. The Evil One smirks at her protector’s useless efforts. The Guards cry out in distress as the gate burns them. Kolo hisses, “Get him tied to the burning gate!”
Seeing the sky lighten from navy to dark blue, Kolo risks it; not caring if the guards die from their efforts to tie Donatello to the gate. Duckweed screams out in agony; suddenly he is silent and goes limp, dangling in the net, his weight starts to pull Donatello with him. Grunt and Squat yank the captive back against it, as her protector swallows his screams of pain at the barrier’s burn. Duckweed’s eyes go wide, blink, and then stare at Donatello.
Donatello scoffs, through his pain, “You deserve worse, dead man.” Coming untangled, Duckweed groans, as he dies falling in the dirt. Squat screams as the barrier severely burns him and once finished, securing his side, Squat lets go, running for the river. Screeching in pain, the Guard dips his hands in the cool water. Grunt snorts, he is wearing gloves, only burning his arm a few times as he bumps it. Grunt has bound her guard tightly against the garden gate.
Kolo limps over, glaring into Donatello’s eyes. He feels possessive, “Sidonia is mine, and always has been.” Seething with fury, the Evil One adds, “I do not care if you think you love her. She will always help me.” Donatello sees it bothers him and smirks, “You actually fear that Sidonia cares for a guard more than you?” Kolo just hisses, “Your sacrifice was in vain; die knowing she will come to me!” Donatello seethes, “You are a spineless creep.”
Her protector adds, “You will never deserve her.” The Evil One laughs, “You were foolish to try keeping her from me. You know nothing about her.” Sidonia’s Guard scoffs, “I know she is too good for you.” Kolo’s voice gets shrill, “She has helped me many times and is fated to be ours; more than one oracle has confirmed it.” Regardless of the barrier burning at Donatello’s back, he mocks, “How pathetic that you have to force everyone you know-.”
Sidonia’s Guard feels weak, he takes a deep breath to finish, “-In order to have what you want, you are unwilling to earn it. It is not as if those oracles have a reason to lie… or do they? Let me guess you captured and threatened them into telling you of your future. I do not believe in fate. I trust Princess Sidonia will make her own destiny, and it will be without you!” The truth of his words stings Kolo, but he still smirks, “No, it will be without you.”
Her protector sees his comment of needing to force everyone, is bothering the Evil One. Donatello adds, “You will never truly be loved, nor capable of earning the trust of anyone like Sidonia. While I failed to stop you; I vow that one day, you will get what you truly deserve. I curse you with a horrid death so lasting, that you will feel all the pain that you caused.” Donatello sees dread in Kolo’s eyes.
Sidonia’s Guard fears this means Kolo has killed many females. The fiend stumbles a bit, finding it exhausting to stand. He calls a waiting guard over and bites into his forearm, draining him, the guard falls, the others groan unable to leave. Donatello sees the resistance in Patch and Andre, as they step back. Her guard feels they hate being under Kolo’s control, unlike so many of the others; they choose to fight it. He knows Patch and Andre will not kill him.
However, he believes that they cannot fight it enough to save him, nor leave. He feels less guilt over those he harmed and killed. Kolo gains his balance and tries his fire. After each failure, he commands another guard to him and drains them. It takes three times before he can keep the blue flames on his palms. Kolo comes dangerously closer; it is thrilling to see her guard suffer as he puts the flames against Donatello. Kolo gets a dark excitement.
The Evil One grins, as he feels the heat of his own flames pushing back against him. Kolo sees the intensity of what Donatello is enduring, as he waits for his screams. Donatello grunts with effort to deny him. The Dragonhead pummel of Anthony’s Demon War Sword now comes alive, its neck extends as it curls over and its mouth opens. The Dragon bares its teeth, then bites into Donatello’s arm, just as he is about to scream in pain from the fire.
The Dragon’s powerful poison spreads into him, as Donatello groans from the Dragon’s bite. Sidonia’s Guard finds he starts to feel nothing, except for the horrifying knowledge that he is burning on his own funeral pyre. Sidonia’s protector sees the flames and knows the destruction of his body is happening, even though he no longer feels the burning fire. His flesh is blistering, especially his bare legs from the knee down where he wears the short tunic uniform.
Only the leather shin-guards and straps of his sandals protect his lower legs. The Dragon spares him the physical pain of the fiery death. However, Donatello also smells the burning hair and flesh of his body. He nearly vomits, as he knows it is the scent of his demise. The Dragon’s bite does not take the mental agony of his death and Donatello is fully aware as he thinks of his mistakes. ‘Kolo’s Revenge’ comes as he stands closer so he can see the damage.
The Evil One is relishing it, as he watches Donatello die slowly. He aims his flames at Donatello’s chest. However, Kolo’s joy fades, as he starts to realize that he is missing the agony of Donatello’s terrified screams. He desires to hear his begging pleas for it to stop. It causes his anger as he is deprived. Infuriated, Kolo screeches, “Cry for Lola! Scream in pain! Die for Lola!”
Mystified by Donatello’s silence, Kolo unintentionally asks, “How are you denying me? I must hear your screams for my twin sister!” Kolo sobs, “How dare you not feel the pain and regret of destroying Lola? Give me the vengeance that we deserve!”
~*~
Sidonia’s Room, Hours until Dawn, 677, 28th, October
Grekan groans, seeing and hearing the noises below. The third floor is high enough to see over Samala’s crypt and above the wall. Crying, Grekan is certain even though they were Human Guards, they had out manned Donatello. He sees them go to the south wall by the river. His fears cause anger at his own cowardice. He sees them tie a form to the garden gate, fearing it is Donatello.
To Grekan’s horror, he watches the blue fire and hears the oddest long cry. Sobbing, for he dares not do anything to stop, help, nor save brave Donatello from this deadly fate. The Princess’s yell startles Grekan; he turns to see she is caught in a terrifying dream. Grekan is glad for her company. Wiping his tears, he rushes over.
Yet he debates on waking Sidonia, Grekan decides to hold off, not wanting her to hear what is happening to Donatello. He is convinced she will offer herself, in exchange, to protect her guard. He is certain it is too late to save Donatello. No good will come from Sidonia going out there, to then be taken, by the Evil One.
~*~
It enrages Kolo that Donatello is not screaming loudly; he wants, no needs to know Donatello is suffering. Kolo comes closer and he sees the fire truly is killing Sidonia’s guard, yet he remains free of the physical pain and agony. Kolo has a moment of awe, seeing the brave Strigoi that Sidonia turned to for protection, is besting him. The fury comes back as Kolo cackles with anger, “Scream for Lola!” Donatello’s eyes close, and he exhales.
As Sidonia’s protector opens his mouth with that final release of air, the Dragon roars. It is a haunting long gruesome scream; all hearing the ghastly sound step back, yet believe it is a strange macabre occurrence of Donatello’s death growl. As the Dragon looks at Kolo, it vows revenge, giving its scream of vengeance. It lasts longer and rings louder than humans or vampires can scream. The eeriness of it leaves a lasting memory.
All around the grounds and in the Castle witness the dark promise of its roar. Disappointed, Kolo accepts the agony he sees in his victim’s eyes as well as the damage his flames cause. His fire melts the fibers of the net and clothing into Donatello’s skin. Yet, when the Dragon screams, it startles Kolo into backing away. He no longer wants to hear Sidonia’s guard suffer, for Kolo assumes it is Donatello’s scream, and it terrifies him. Kolo shudders with fear.
As the scream fades, the Evil One forces a smile of grim satisfaction. He knows the very moment that life leaves Donatello’s eyes. The Dragon gets a good look at Kolo before going back to sleep. The Evil One nearly falls now, as using his power of fire has drained him. Much of it due to the strength it takes to keep his fire going, until certain that Donatello is dead.
~*~
The Wolves howl up at Princess Sidonia, as if they know she has nowhere to go. To her great horror, the Wolf in the tree makes it to another branch. The gray Wolf glares at her and gets the next one. It is now across from her, as he leans forward to snarl hungrily into her face. She feels its breath; the dark girl screams for her life, “Father, please save me! Mother’s Wolves are going to kill me!”
The roar outside has shaken Grekan and the following silence feels even worse as it is over. He decides he can no longer wait; with guilt he gently nudges her. Sidonia wakes screaming, “Father, please save me!” She bolts up, gasping to Grekan, “Is the Evil One here for me?” Grekan quickly says, “No. Not yet.” Sidonia asks, “Where is Donatello?” Her friend avoids telling her of Donatello’s fate.
Grekan only says, “The Guards told him that Captain Tik wanted him at the Front Gate, so Donatello went. I will stay with you till dawn.” Sidonia gets up, causing Grekan to worry, as he asks, “What are you doing?” Sidonia says, “I need to get Donatello to watch Viktor; you and I should hide until sunup.” Fretting, her father’s Clerk quickly changes the subject, “Were you having a nightmare?” Sidonia puts on her robe and he hands her a drink.
The Oracle replies, “My mind betrayed me with a vision of my childhood horrors… ‘Wolves in the Woods’.” He replies, “You have never told me of it, tell me now.” She sits stating, “It used to be a distant memory. I had forgotten much of it; Father took some of that nightmare from me so I could sleep. For some reason I was forced to re-live it now, it is still very frightening and haunts me. It is the only thing that comes close to the horrors of the Evil One.”
Sidonia drinks and says, “I learned that Samala knew the Evil One’s tune. She hummed it while taking me into the Black Forest! The first time I heard it I was three, the Evil One whistled it and hexed a gift he gave me, for Samala; he was the same gray-haired Vampire in the carriage at our Front Gate.” Grekan groans urging, “I read talking of nightmares makes it less frightening.” Sidonia avoids reliving Samala’s betrayal as it is too painful to repeat.
The Princess sighs, “I was six years old. The images are vivid and real. The forest is dark, still it is midday. I am lost, trying to find my way home, and running from Wolves. I climbed a tree, the Wolf jumped in it, snarling into my face. I am certain he will bite me and tear me to pieces.” Grekan gasps, “Oh dear, no!” Sidonia whispers, “Yet, suddenly Father is there. He flies in, grabbing the gray Wolf by his throat. Father rips his head off killing the Wolf.”
Sidonia grins, “Father then goes after his pack as well.” The Clerk groans at the images she is painting, yet presses her, “How did your father know? It was still during the day, right?” She frowns, “I called to Father, I guess he heard me and woke. I do not know how, but Father came for me, even though it is not a cloudy day. The Wolves run from him; Father’s anger does not allow them to get away. I am shaking so bad I cannot climb out of the tree.”
She shutters, “I am certain I will fall to my death. I still feel glee as I hear the Wolves’ cries of fear, pain, and see their deaths.” Grekan gasps and Sidonia gets a cold grin, adding, “Their yelps of agony are terrifying music to my ears. I never wished death upon another before. Nevertheless, I am so glad my father is killing them all. Then at last, there is a glorious silence. Father calmly comes back, yet I know he remains furious. Mostly at Mother.”
The dark girl has a blue glint in her eyes, “I shall never forget the distinct scent of their blood, which covers Father.” Licking her lips, she now feels a thirst for wolf’s blood.
~RMW~