A week had passed since the tournament ended, yet people were still talking about the fierce battles fought in that arena. Edgar was now staying in his parents' old house in Dornaran, a place where he hadn't lived for long.
With the prize money, he bought planks to build a new roof, fixed up the house, constructed a stable for his horse Lightning, and renovated the small forge his uncle had built ten years ago. There, he cleaned his armor, sharpened his sword, and shod Lightning. The skills learned from his uncle Falo proved very useful. Despite now being wealthy and a respected knight, he wasn't ready to give up the trade he learned from his uncle.
He enjoyed no longer being considered a criminal who had to hide due to bounties on his head. He even went fishing at the Dul'Zare River, where he caught some fish, which he found absolutely remarkable. To live peacefully away from battles and troubles seemed like an incredible dream.
Unfortunately for him, his luck in enjoying a quiet life didn't last long. Someone was pounding at his door. Upon opening it, he found a knight dressed in black, his face covered by a helmet. It was none other than Breath of Death, whom Edgar invited inside, even though he didn't trust him.
Breath of Death took a seat and told Edgar he had news for him. Edgar listened attentively, warning him it would be wise not to deceive him.
"Approximately eleven thousand demons have been brought into this world through a portal opened by the Demon of Fire. The portal is temporarily closed, but with such an army, the whole world is in danger," Breath of Death revealed.
"How can they be stopped?" Edgar asked. "There must be a way... preferably one that doesn't involve the loss of human lives."
"One way is to banish the Demon of Fire back to the Realm of the Dead, where he came from. An army of demons without a commander will be easy to defeat... but without losses, that's unlikely."
"You do realize you're not much help, right?" Edgar said. "Are you still loyal to this demon?"
"I betrayed him to save my life. He recently summoned me to present myself before him. He would have killed me on the spot if I had done so."
"Do you think I care? When I spared you, I thought you would share more important things, like the plans of the commanding demons."
"Then listen carefully! The Demon of Fire is preparing to wipe the Kingdom of the Sun off the map. The attack could start at any moment."
The Kingdom of the Sun was one of the most powerful realms on earth. With its army defeated, there would be no one left to protect the smaller kingdoms. Something had to be done quickly. Edgar told the Bringer of Death to leave and meet him in Tuzmad.
Immediately, Edgar donned his armor and strapped his sword to his belt. He still hadn't unraveled the mystery of this sword, found at his father's grave. It was unbelievable that Edgar could craft a sword identical to his father's without ever seeing it.
He mounted Lightning and rode swiftly towards Tuzmad. If what Bringer of Death had told him was true, Ludrol needed to know and prepare for a possible attack. As a hero of Tuzmad, Ludrol should consider Edgar's advice.
Lightning nearly flew alongside the Dul'Zare River, speeding past the flower-filled plains. At sunset, Edgar finally reached the gates of Tuzmad Castle.
Upon entering the throne room, he saw King Ludrol consulting with one of his trusted lords. The king was surprised to see Edgar so soon, especially since he had refused to become the captain of his army. Edgar bowed to the king, announcing he brought important news.
"What news?" asked Ludrol.
"I have reason to believe that a demon army will attack the Kingdom of the Sun," Edgar said. "Don't ask me how I know..."
"Probably from that Bringer of Death," King Ludrol remarked. "By sparing his life, he's become your servant."
"What will you do? Will you offer support to King Lockdar?"
"First, there's no proof that your information is true. I can't trust someone who tried to kill you."
"Then that would mean you shouldn't trust yourself, Your Majesty."
"I was mistaken about you. Back then, I thought you were a criminal who would join the other side."
Before the king could finish, a messenger burst into the throne room with terrible news. He reported that the Kingdom of the Sun was under attack by a vast army and that King Lockdar had been assassinated the previous night.
Edgar couldn't believe his ears. He had hoped he would be the one to defeat King Lockdar. However, the people of the kingdom needed help. King Ludrol's response infuriated him. Ludrol hoped the Kingdom of the Sun's army would halve the demon forces, and he planned to send his army only after the battle ended, to destroy the demons, save the Kingdom of the Sun, and become the ruler of both realms.
Edgar found Ludrol's plan utterly disagreeable. Sacrificing human lives just for Ludrol to become the savior king was not something he could condone. Leaving the castle, he met with Bringer of Death, disguised as a wandering knight. Breath of Death informed him that the Kingdom of the Sun was on the brink of collapse, especially since the king was dead and there was no one to command the army.
"Where could I possibly muster an army to fend off these demons?" Edgar asked, agitated. "From where? Ludrol is a coward aiming to play the hero, only to later claim the Kingdom of the Sun. I can't expect even a single warrior from him... Unless he wishes to help... He must wish to... He is the only one who can."
"Whom are you referring to?" inquired Breath of Death, puzzled.
"I'm talking about Mestafol, the immortal spirit of the Lymdor Desert."
"Mestafol? Why do you believe he would assist you? He is ruthless, never helping anyone, especially not a human."
Breath of Death was mistaken. Mestafol was once a human, not just any human, but the king of the Kingdom of Lymdor, one of the greatest and most powerful kingdoms ever to exist on earth.
Edgar, with a sense of purpose, climbed atop his steed, accompanied by the ominous Breath of Death, as they embarked on the arduous trek across the expansive Lymdor Desert. Understanding the length and peril of the journey ahead, Edgar meticulously prepared, packing enough provisions to sustain them through the desolate terrain. A full day and night of travel lay before them, with Breath of Death providing dubious companionship.
In the eerie calm of the desert nights, Edgar found little repose, his rest constantly disturbed by the necessity of vigilance. The threat of betrayal loomed ever-present, and he dared not completely surrender to sleep, aware that his enigmatic travel companion might seize the opportunity to dispatch him.
As dawn broke, casting its first rays over the sandy expanse, Edgar awoke and cautiously assessed himself, half-expecting the cold betrayal of steel against his skin. However, much to his relief, he remained unharmed, an unexpected indication that, for the night at least, Breath of Death had chosen not to betray his trust.
After enduring the rigorous journey, Edgar and his mysterious companion finally arrived at the vast expanse of the Lymdor Desert. The sun beat down harshly upon the endless dunes, signifying the beginning of another arduous segment of their quest – a journey that would take two days and nights to traverse before they could reach the Kingdom of the Sun.
In this desolate landscape, the enigmatic Mestafol was conspicuously absent. Edgar, feeling the urgency of their mission, raised his voice, calling out Mestafol's name into the echoing silence of the desert. In response, a swirling tempest of sand materialized before them, a stark contrast to their first encounter. This time, Mestafol revealed himself not as a creature of sand, but as a formidable whirlwind, embodying the unpredictable and untamed spirit of the desert itself. The sight was both awe-inspiring and unnerving, reinforcing the otherworldly nature of their journey.
"What do you want? Who is he? I sense an evil power," said Mestafol.
"I could say the same about you, Mestafol. He is Breath of Death, my... trusted partner," Edgar replied. "What happened to you? You look different."
"I can take any form I desire. What brings you here, Edgar Argyle?"
"I need your help. You're immortal and possess unimaginable powers. I need you to save the Kingdom of the Sun, which is currently under attack by demons."
"Demons? Near Lymdor? There haven't been demons in this world for thousands of years..."
Mestafol was no longer certain of the absence of demons when Breath of Death removed his helmet, revealing his face. Edgar persuaded him, saying that if he didn't help, the Kingdom of the Sun would face a fate similar to, or worse than, Lymdor's. With these words, Edgar managed to sway Mestafol.
In the midst of the vast desert, a remarkable phenomenon unfolded before Edgar's eyes. From the very sands that stretched endlessly beneath the sky, there arose a host of valiant sand knights, astride majestic steeds as grand as any that had ever graced the stables of kings. These were the spirits of warriors of yore, noble souls who had laid down their lives in service of their sovereign. Even beyond the veil of death, their loyalty endured, unwavering as the mountains themselves.
Fashioned of the desert sands, these spectral warriors formed an imposing array around Edgar. Their ranks were filled with swordsmen whose blades shimmered with the mirage of heat, archers with bows drawn taut, ready to loose arrows swift as the desert wind, and lancers whose sand-crafted spears held the promise of unyielding strength. Here, in the heart of the desert, Edgar found himself amidst a vast and silent army, a testament to the enduring valor and devotion of those long passed.
"This is what I call an army risen from the ground," Edgar exclaimed. "With this army and your powers, we'll send the demons back to Hell."
"No, Edgar. I will not fight. I despise wars. You will lead the army to victory," Mestafol declared.
In a blink, Edgar set off with Breath of Death and the vast army gifted by Mestafol, heading towards the Kingdom of the Sun. Whatever Mestafol's reasons for not participating in the war, Edgar respected them and would remain eternally grateful for his help.
In the Kingdom of the Sun, Turalon and Tenzim fought fiercely alongside the kingdom's army. Outnumbered, they had to retreat within the walls surrounding the castle. Archers tried to bring down the demons who, using a battering ram, attempted to break the gates. The gates appeared unlikely to hold much longer, and the archers were falling one by one, struck by arrows or spears.
Tenzim ordered the lancers to position themselves in front of the gates as they were about to give way. Without King Lockdar, they were finished, for the king's men barely heeded the commands, resulting in total chaos. The real trouble emerged as the gate succumbed, and hundreds of demons surged through.
The lancers fell dead to the ground. They fought valiantly, but against these demons, the chances of success were slim. Tenzim and Turalon fought side by side, leaving behind the lifeless bodies of the demons.
From behind, a demon rushed at Tenzim, knocking him to the ground. The demon drew a dagger, aiming it at him, but Turalon managed to behead the demon with a single sword strike, then lifted his brother from the ground.
A moment of distraction, and an arrow pierced Turalon's left shoulder. Terrible pain seized his entire arm, but he had no time even to pull the arrow out, as he needed to fight the demons.
The demons' faces were incredibly frightening. Their long, pointed ears adorned with large, thick earrings made them look terribly menacing. Their black skin, white eyes, long, sharp teeth protruding from their mouths, and mercilessly stitched wounds gave them a grotesque appearance. They were armed with swords, axes, bows, and daggers. Fighting them was difficult due to the immense powers they possessed. When all hope seemed lost, strong rustling sounds suddenly filled the air. It was the dwarves led by Marcus, riding the legendary and famous griffins. There were about twenty griffins, and behind each griffin, two dwarves.
In the tumultuous skies above the grand castle, a legion of magnificent griffins soared, each a marvel of nature's artistry. These creatures, as large as horses, bore the proud head and front talons of an eagle, and the hindquarters of a mighty steed. Their wings, grand and majestic, spanned wide, casting great shadows upon the earth below. Atop these noble beasts rode the dwarves, each pair working in seamless harmony.
As the griffins swooped and dived, one dwarf would guide the majestic creature with expert precision, while their companion unleashed a torrent of fiery destruction upon the demonic horde besieging the castle. With each pass, sacks full of enchanted orbs were transformed into roaring infernos, exploding with fierce intensity upon impact, turning demons into ash in their fiery wake.
The demonic archers, in desperation, loosed volleys of arrows skyward, aiming to bring down these feathered avengers. Yet, their efforts were in vain. The griffins, armored in scales as tough as the strongest metal, shrugged off the arrows with ease, their skin impervious to such feeble assaults. Each swoop of the griffins was a dance of death, their riders raining down fire and fury, turning the tide of battle in a spectacular display of aerial prowess and power.
As the battle raged, a shadow loomed from the ominous dark clouds above, heralding the emergence of the demonic army's fearsome secret weapon. A colossal black dragon, conjured from the deepest abyss of their dark world, broke through the cloud cover, its arrival shifting the balance of the fray. This gargantuan beast, summoned for the singular purpose of aiding their ruthless conquest of humanity, descended upon the battlefield with an air of malevolent grace.
Adorned with scales as hard as the toughest steel, the dragon's hide acted as impenetrable armor, deflecting arrows and spells alike. Atop its menacing head, two formidable horns arched skyward, sharp and threatening. From its cavernous maw, it belched forth torrents of scorching flame, engulfing the battlefield in searing heat and fire. Its wings, vast and mighty, stretched wide, dwarfing even those of the noblest griffin, granting it unmatched speed and agility in the air.
Not just its fiery breath, but also its whip-like tail served as a deadly weapon, lashing out with bone-crushing force. And within its monstrous jaws, rows of massive, razor-sharp teeth promised a swift and gruesome end to any who dared approach. The dragon's presence alone instilled terror in the hearts of warriors, as it carved a path of destruction through their ranks, its might unchallenged, a dark herald of despair for the forces of humanity.
The battlefield trembled beneath the might of the black dragon, a creature of nightmare and destruction. In a singular, swift motion of its monstrous tail, it swatted two griffins from the sky, their majestic forms crashing to the earth with a dreadful finality. Neither the noble griffins nor the brave dwarves astride them withstood the devastating blow, their lives extinguished in an instant of raw, brutal force.
But the dragon's wrath did not end there. Its breath, a torrent of unbridled inferno, engulfed the airborne griffins and their dwarven riders in a fiery maelstrom. The sky was alight with the tragic spectacle of burning griffins, their feathered wings ablaze, plummeting towards the ground in a nightmarish descent. The shrieks of the majestic creatures and their riders echoed across the battlefield, a chilling demonstration of the dragon's formidable might.
In mere moments, the sky was cleared of griffins, leaving only the black dragon to reign supreme in the heavens. It then turned its malevolent attention to the people below. With terrifying precision, it unleashed fiery breath upon them, turning warriors and innocents alike into living torches. Others were not granted even this quick demise, as the dragon would cruelly snatch them up in its colossal jaws, only to release them from a terrifying height, their screams trailing behind as they plummeted to a gruesome end.
The dragon's onslaught was not just an attack; it was a show of overwhelming power, a dark spectacle meant to crush the spirit of those who dared resist. The field of battle, once a place of valor and honor, was transformed into a hellscape by the dragon's fury, its every action spelling doom for the defenders of humanity.
All hope seemed lost for the two brothers as they witnessed the defeat of the griffins. Not even half of the demons had been slain, and their forces were reduced to just a few hundred. They wouldn't hold out much longer. Neither they nor the castle, as the catapults hurled large rocks at its walls. The dragon, seemingly unstoppable, ensured the demons' victory. The cursed dragon incinerated everything in its path, and their arrows couldn't even penetrate its skin.
As despair gripped the heart of the Kingdom of the Sun, an unexpected miracle unfolded. Out of nowhere, a colossal whirlwind of sand roared into existence, looming over the battlefield. This cyclone, a force of nature unto itself, clashed with the fearsome dragon. In a breathtaking display, the whirlwind engulfed the dragon, drawing it into its swirling vortex with immense force. The dragon struggled against the unyielding grip of the whirlwind, but to no avail. Moments later, the whirlwind released its captive, sending the dragon's remains plummeting towards the castle walls in a gruesome spectacle.
Tenzim and Turalon, standing amidst the chaos of battle, could only watch in stunned silence. The whirlwind, now a fierce ally, turned its wrath upon the demonic forces. Sand and wind lashed out like the tentacles of some ancient, vengeful deity, tearing through the ranks of the demons with unstoppable ferocity. The tide of the battle shifted dramatically as the whirlwind rampaged across the battlefield, leaving destruction in its wake and rekindling hope in the hearts of the kingdom's defenders.
"By all the gods!" Turalon exclaimed.
The battle began to balance the moment Edgar appeared, accompanied by a vast army. They cleaved through the demons' bodies with their swords as effortlessly as an axe through wheat. Many demons recoiled in horror upon seeing Breath of Death, once their ally, now fighting against them. Although Edgar was loath to admit it, the two of them made an effective team, unstoppable together.
This didn't sit well with the Fire Demon and the Soul Devourer, the leader of the Death Bringers. Soul Devourer spotted Edgar, aimed his bow, and fired. Edgar's luck held as Breath of Death caught the arrow in mid-air, saving the young man's life.
"Thank you! You saved my life. But why? I can feel your rage, I know you want to see me dead."
"It's true, but I fight these feelings of fury to feel human again, to know sympathy. I'm tired of only feeling hate, instilled in my mind by demonic forces. Listen, I'm not sure we can win with the army we have. We need to take down their commanders, starting with Soul Devourer."
"He's mine!" Edgar declared, charging towards Soul Devourer.
In moments, he confronted the most brutal and powerful of the Death Bringers. Soul Devourer's face was hidden beneath a helmet crafted from steel and gilded with gold, matching the armor he wore.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Soul Devourer raised his sword towards Edgar but hesitated to attack. Edgar sensed his reluctance and fear.
"I feel fear. Why? Don't you want to kill me?"
"If you die, your powers will transfer to the other. I don't want to be responsible for creating an unstoppable monster. You may not know about him, but he's no inheritor like you. He gained his powers through battles and spells. The powers of an inheritor, a descendant of the two great wizards, are unimaginable. If he gains your powers, he'll become so strong, not even the Emperor will scare him."
"I don't understand. I know he's powerful, making my powers seem insignificant in comparison. Why would he need them?"
"Because the powers of an inheritor who fully masters them can become an immeasurable force. The Emperor brought demons into this world, and with his death, our future is not bright."
"So, my death would be beneficial? It would rid humanity of you. You never wanted to kill me, did you?"
"Your death beneficial? Fool! With your powers, the other Edgar will destroy everything, turning all opposition to ash."
Everything started making sense now. That was why Breath of Death hadn't killed Edgar in the Dark Forest, nor did they intend to at the Ten Knights' Tournament. They lured him into the tournament to learn about his malevolent counterpart. The demons had a well-devised plan, likely concocted by one of their commanders. But their plan was far from complete, as the most interesting part was yet to unfold.
"Exactly! It wasn't us who devised the plan, but the Emperor," Soul Devourer revealed, reading Edgar's thoughts.
"If he's so powerful, why doesn't he deal with him himself?"
"Because he's fled, and we have no idea where or when he is. He could be in the Era of Dragons or even in the Era of the Great Wizards. Meet with the Emperor, and he will stop the attack."
"What? The Emperor wants to see me? He'll stop the attack if I agree?"
"Precisely."
"Fine, I'll come!"
No sooner had Edgar agreed than the demons ceased their assault, retreating subtly, leaving the other humans clueless about what had transpired.
Edgar couldn't help but think how psychopathic the Emperor was. Attacking a kingdom, taking so many lives, just to get him to come? Wouldn't it have been easier to send an invitation?
"Very well, come to the ruins of the Na'Zul palace at this time tomorrow. Do not be late," Soul Devourer instructed.
Within hours, not a single demon was in sight, as if they had all vanished into thin air. Edgar entered the castle, finding Turalon tending to his injured shoulder. The survivors were relieved that the battle was over and they had lived. Not Edgar. He felt responsible for these people's lives. He cursed the day he was born, the two great wizards, and their descendants.
Tenzim and Turalon were overjoyed to see Edgar, but he paid little attention to their words, lost in his own thoughts, trying to fathom what the Emperor, who had gone to such extreme lengths in his godlike play, wanted. The brothers had no idea about Edgar's deal with Soul Devourer.
In the hall, Edgar spotted Valleria, tending to the wounded. When she saw Edgar, she approached him, embracing him, and apologizing. Edgar was perplexed. He should have been the one apologizing, for he had killed her brother.
"I'm the one who should be apologizing..."
"No, Edgar. I know what you tried to do. To preserve my brother's honor. The truth has been revealed to me. I know my brother was a criminal, I know about the inheritors he killed, I know about his deal with King Lockdar."
"How did you learn the truth?"
"I am an inheritor. I have the power to see the past, the present, and the future. That's why you must not go to the ruins of the Na'Zul Palace tomorrow," Valleria implored.
"Valleria, if I don't go, the demons will attack again."
It was clear that Valleria foresaw a disaster, insisting that he shouldn't proceed to the meeting with the Emperor. Edgar felt a sense of foreboding too, but saw no alternative.
Until now, he had never feared death, perhaps because he had never been so close to it. But more than anything, he wished to live for Valleria. He saw the love in the beautiful princess's eyes, and all he wanted was to spend the rest of his life with her, leading a peaceful existence. He couldn't believe how much love for the princess had transformed him. To Edgar, love was divine, surpassing all deities. If gods existed, he believed they would bow to the power of love, fascinated by the depth of feeling it could evoke, placing it at the pinnacle of Paradise's eternal realms.
Valleria pleaded with him not to go to the ruins, sharing her vision of him, hoping to persuade him not to leave. She told him how she saw him killed by his own sword.
"Please, Edgar! My visions never fail. They will kill you," Valleria said, clasping his hands in her warm palms.
Unfortunately, Valleria couldn’t sway Edgar, as a part of him was eager to meet the Emperor. He decided to stay in the castle for the night, possibly his last. He heard a knock on his door, which he opened swiftly, only to find no one. Left behind was a small leather-wrapped parcel. Inside, he found a small grey stone with a black crown etched in the center and a note with ancient words: "Na'Zul en dun." It was a magical stone, and those were the activation words, teleporting whoever held the stone to the ruins of the Na'Zul Palace.
Edgar had no idea what the future held or what plans the Emperor had for him. He struggled to sleep, as the sun seemed to rise earlier than usual.
Exiting the castle, he heard hurried footsteps behind him. Tenzim, Turalon, and Valleria were determined to follow him on his perilous mission. He briskly told them it wasn’t necessary for them to accompany him. Holding the magical stone, he uttered the magic words and vanished before their eyes. Tears formed in Valleria's eyes, fearing for Edgar's life because of her visions.
"Lucky devil," Tenzim remarked. "No girl has ever cried over me. I don't know about you two, but I'm heading to that place. I'll be there in less than five hours."
"I'm coming too," declared Turalon. "I don't want to miss out on all the fun."
"And I... have no intention of letting the father of my unborn child lose his life," declared Valleria.
Tenzim's eyebrows knitted together in a comically puzzled expression, prompting Turalon to discreetly nudge him. Valleria noticed the brothers exchanging glances and finally broke the silence.
"Yes, I'm pregnant. Edgar and I had some time together before the tournament started."
"Another one? I hope this little heir-to-be isn't as much trouble as Edgar," Tenzim joked, laughing.
Meanwhile, Edgar had already arrived among the ruins of an ancient palace. As he wandered among the debris, he heard his name called out by Soul Devourer, who appeared behind him, clad in his magnificent gold-dusted armor. Edgar asked the knight where the Emperor was, and the answer he received was astonishing.
"Not where, but when. The Emperor is right here, where once there was a beautiful flower garden. Allow me to show you."
A whirlwind of dust enveloped them both, transforming the ruins into towering walls. When the whirlwind dissipated, Edgar found himself in a palace that seemed newly constructed.
He was in a beautifully colored room, filled with a pleasant aroma that reminded him of his childhood days running through flower-filled fields. An old man in gray robes, crowned with a golden, jewel-studded crown, was tending to his flowers. It was the Emperor.
He meticulously cared for his plants, and upon seeing Edgar, he exclaimed loudly, "Behold, my new champion!"
The Emperor led Edgar to a uniquely fragrant red flower with a shiny green stem. He explained that this flower, named the King's Scepter, was the last of its kind and his most precious treasure, tended for over fifteen hundred years.
Edgar had seen more beautiful flowers, especially in the Giant Mountains' fields, but he refrained from commenting. The Emperor continued to talk about flowers, their care, and the importance of sunlight.
Meanwhile, Tenzim, Valleria, and Turalon finally reached the palace ruins, but there was no sign of Edgar. Fearing they were too late, they realized the truth — they had indeed arrived too late, by a thousand years. They unanimously agreed on their helplessness, with only the magician Laryus capable of assisting them.
A thousand years ago, Edgar could no longer endure another word about the Emperor's flowers and interrupted him with a cold tone:
"I never knew a criminal like you could have an interest in flowers..."
The Emperor pretended not to hear Edgar's comment, continuing his discourse on his magnificent flowers. This was too much for Edgar. He would rather face death than hear another word about those damned flowers. He was beginning to despise flowers because of the Emperor. Eventually, the Emperor stopped and asked why Edgar was calling him a criminal.
"Do you have any idea how many people your demons have killed?"
Unfortunately, once again, Edgar didn't receive an answer but heard the Emperor talking about flowers yet again. Edgar felt his head was about to explode.
How could someone be so indifferent? Or so obsessed with flowers? At that moment, Edgar seriously started to doubt Valleria's predictions. He was convinced he would be killed by a flower, not a sword.
"You have some very beautiful flowers around here," Edgar finally said, convinced he would not be listened to.
"Do you think so?" the Emperor asked. "I have collected them from all corners of the world and all periods of time," he added with pride. "Wait until you see them all, then you'll truly be amazed."
"Let's get back to the issue with the demons, why did they attack..."
"You must see these flowers, they are truly amazing! I've been caring for them for a very long time."
It was unbelievable! Every time Edgar tried to steer the conversation away from flowers, the Emperor seemed to become deaf. It was unlikely that this madman was the Emperor everyone spoke of, the one who instilled fear in the hearts of demons and subjugated them.
Finally, the Emperor sat down on a chair, and to Edgar's relief, he stopped talking about flowers. He began to talk about wars and how he was merely a pawn, unable to control them.
"Every thousand years, the earth is bathed in blood, turning into an endless altar of sacrifices."
"And you, not wanting this to stop, sent your demons to attack the Kingdom of the Sun."
"If it hadn't been me, someone else would certainly have commanded them, and perhaps then there wouldn't have been someone as lenient as me. The great Adunoss left us the secrets of controlling them. Let's suppose I know a way to banish the demons from this world and would need help... Would you agree to assist me?"
"What's the catch? I don't understand why you want them gone, especially since you have control over them."
"I have been betrayed by two of my most powerful servants. Cuer'Ilf, known as the Demon of Fire, and that other Edgar, who has become a real headache. Cuer'Ilf and the other Edgar have joined forces and managed to draw a large army of demons to their side, using the teachings of Adunoss. The truth is, I am starting to lose control of this situation."
"And how could I possibly help you?" asked Edgar, puzzled.
The Emperor asked if Edgar was aware of some stones created by Nagus, known as the Sun Diamonds. He explained that these were created with the sole purpose of destroying all demons in this world and sealing their world's portal forever. He added that there are three such diamonds, not two, as Edgar believed, and their power can only be activated when the three diamonds are together. This is where Edgar came in. Only a descendant of Nagus could harness their power.
Edgar thus learned from the Emperor that one diamond was with Cuer'Ilf, another with the other Edgar, and the whereabouts of the third were unknown. Edgar knew. He didn’t think about the third diamond lest the Emperor had the ability to read thoughts. He didn’t trust the Emperor, and the location of the third diamond should not be revealed. The Emperor then revealed the weakness of his other self, who was not as immortal as believed. A dagger to the heart could take his immortality in moments.
After revealing all these things, the Emperor sent Edgar back to his own time, right at the moment when Turalon, Tenzim, and Valleria were arriving at the ruins.
They asked him if he managed to find the Emperor, and when Edgar told them that he had spoken with him for an entire day, the three cast dubious glances at each other. How could he have talked with the Emperor for an entire day? The sun hadn’t even set. Tenzim jokingly told Edgar that wandering among the ruins could cause serious hallucinations and that he should get a better job. Saving the world from a demon army doesn’t bring in much income, and a child isn’t easy to raise.
Edgar didn’t understand what he meant, but when he returned to the castle, Valleria gave him news that shocked him more than learning about the existence of his evil self. He smiled at the princess, embraced her tightly, and then kissed her passionately.
The two were just about to make wedding plans when they learned that the Trian Kingdom was under attack by the demon army. The Trian Kingdom, allied with the The Kingdom of the Sun, now under King Dumytrius's command, Lockdar’s cousin, requested Edgar to lead the cavalry that was to support Trian.
Dumytrius entrusted a large part of his army to Edgar, aware that the hero acclaimed across two kingdoms was the most suitable to lead his forces. The young man bid farewell to Valleria and hurried to the Trian Kingdom. King Bardolph, the ruler of the kingdom, desperately needed fresh forces, as his men were falling under the demons' blades.
It was about a six-hour journey to the Trian Kingdom, and King Bardolph's people had to hold out until reinforcements arrived. The residents of Trian had left their homes and retreated to the castle by the king's command. Women and children were hidden in a tunnel behind the dungeons, and the prisoners were released, armed with a sword, and sent to fight alongside the king's army.
In a display of unparalleled bravery and unity, the dwarves of New Tazul, riding atop thirty majestic griffins, soared into the battle-scarred skies. These fearless warriors, guided by the wisdom and strategic planning of Marcus, brought a new surge of hope to the beleaguered defenders. Each griffin, a symbol of strength and agility, bore its dwarf rider with grace, their powerful wings cutting through the air as they dove and swirled in a dance of war. The dwarves, with their hearts as vast as the mountains they hailed from, unleashed a relentless barrage of enchanted fire projectiles, earning a begrudging respect even from their demonic adversaries.
However, the tides of war are often cruel and unforgiving. Despite their aerial prowess and the fear they struck into demonic hearts, the griffins and their dwarf riders were not invincible. The demons, though bereft of their draconian allies, were cunning and ruthless. They had prepared for this aerial onslaught, arming themselves with arrows dipped in lethal poison. One by one, these deadly shafts found their marks, piercing the sky to bring down the noble griffin riders. Each fallen warrior was a blow to the morale of the defenders, a stark reminder of the harsh realities of this relentless war.
The once-mighty forces of King Bardolph found themselves in a grim predicament, their numbers dwindling as the relentless onslaught of the demon army forced them into a desperate retreat. The battlefield, strewn with the valiant fallen of Trian, bore witness to the brutal efficiency of their demonic foes. With many of their brethren grievously wounded and their ranks halved, the soldiers of Trian had little choice but to fall back to the supposed sanctuary of their castle walls, their hearts heavy with the burden of retreat.
As the massive gates of the castle groaned shut, sealing the remnants of Bardolph's army within, a palpable sense of dread settled over the beleaguered defenders. The demon army, vast and seemingly indomitable, encamped around the castle, a dark tide waiting to crash upon the walls of the last bastion of Trian. The strategic significance of this moment was not lost on the defenders; the fall of Trian would signal a dire turn in the war, laying bare the path to The Kingdom of the Sun. Without the support of Trian's forces, King Dumytrius's already weakened army would stand little chance against the impending demonic siege. In the shadow of the castle walls, amidst the weary and wounded, a silent question hung in the air: what hope remained for a kingdom on the brink of ruin?
As the siege of Trian Castle intensified, the very foundations of the stronghold trembled under the relentless assault of the demon army's formidable siege engines. Their catapults, dark and monstrous in design, hurled massive stones that thundered against the ancient walls with catastrophic force. Each impact sent a shudder through the castle, as chunks of masonry were torn away, weakening the once-impenetrable barriers that had stood as silent guardians for centuries.
The soldiers and inhabitants within the castle, their faces etched with fear and desperation, watched in horror as their last line of defense was systematically dismantled by the relentless barrage. The air was filled with the deafening roars of the catapults and the ominous cracks of fracturing stone, generating a discordant symphony that mirrored the growing trepidation within their souls. With each strike, the possibility of the walls giving way grew ever more likely, a grim reality that weighed heavily on the minds of those who had sought refuge behind them. The castle, a symbol of strength and resilience, now stood precariously at the brink of collapse, its fate, and that of its defenders, hanging in the balance.
When hope began to fade for the inhabitants of the Trian Kingdom, King Dumytrius's army, led by Edgar, arrived at their destination. Edgar ordered the cavalry to split into two groups. The first group was tasked with destroying the demons' catapults and ensuring that the demons did not penetrate the castle walls. The second group, which included Edgar, was to attack the rapidly advancing demons from the side. When this plan was implemented, the demon army found itself surrounded by a large part of The Kingdom of the Sun’s army. Caught off guard and disoriented by Edgar's plan, many of the demons who did not fall to their swords began to retreat.
Unfortunately, they couldn't savor their small victory for long, as another demon army appeared over a hill, previously hidden, awaiting new orders. Leading them was none other than Cuer'Ilf, the Fire Demon himself. When Edgar saw their numerical superiority, he swallowed hard, aware that they didn’t stand a chance against them.
To their surprise, the demon army did not attack but sent a messenger to negotiate with Edgar. The messenger conveyed that his master no longer wished to spill his demons' blood and proposed a bargain to Edgar. They would resolve their dispute in the oldest tradition of warfare: Edgar's best man against Cuer'Ilf's most powerful demon.
None of Edgar's men wished to fight. Not because they feared combat, but because they didn’t want the fate of Trian to depend on them. Ultimately, Edgar decided to fight himself, much to Cuer'Ilf's displeasure. Even though he was a demon, Cuer'Ilf now had a more human appearance, less terrifying than his true form.
He knew Edgar was strong, so he didn't want to take any risks. Cuer'Ilf planned to fight Edgar himself. He was aware of the risks, as in this world and in that body, he was as vulnerable as any mortal.
"You will fight me to the death," Cuer'Ilf declared. "Once I triumph, I will allow your people to leave safely, on the condition that they cede the Kingdom of Trian to me."
"Agreed, but if I win, your demons will retreat, and the diamond in your possession will be mine."
"How do you know about the diamond? No matter... Anyway, one is useless to you."
The figure, clad in black with a concealed face, drew his sword from its sheath after finishing his words, launching a lightning-fast attack at Edgar. His strikes were incredibly powerful, yet not one hit Edgar, who surprised the demon with his swift evasiveness.
Enraged, the demon swiftly pulled out a dagger and hurled it at Edgar, but the young man dodged it at the last moment. Extremely agitated, the demon drew another dagger and threw it with the same speed. In the blink of an eye, Edgar caught the dagger as it whizzed by his ear and flung it back at its sender. The dagger embedded itself in the demon's leg.
Unflinchingly, the demon yanked the dagger from his leg and tossed it to the ground. When he looked up in the direction where Edgar was supposed to be, he realized Edgar had vanished. Hearing a slight noise behind him, the demon managed to dodge just in time, narrowly saving his head from being severed. For the first time in his life, the demon was taken aback by a human.
"So, now you're hand in hand with the Emperor? Be careful, he has the power to control minds, and as weak as you are, you're probably already under his control," the demon sneered.
"I am not controlled by anyone. The Emperor holds no power over me," Edgar asserted.
"I have no way of knowing if it's you speaking right now or the Emperor. I too was under his control for a long time. Lately, his powers have diminished significantly, and many of his followers have managed to break free from his strings."
"Wait a minute, he told me that you betrayed him."
"Ha, ha, ha! How naive can you be? Did you really think he would tell you his powers are waning? He brought so many demons into this world that his powers began to fade."
After this brief respite, the two resumed their fight. The demon's sword was engulfed in flames, and his attacks became even more powerful. Wounded in his left arm, Edgar felt compelled to retreat from Cuer'Ilf's assaults. A strong punch from the demon sent Edgar tumbling to the ground.
In a desperate bid for survival, Edgar's hands searched frantically for his sword's hilt, but instead, his fingers closed around the cold, metallic grip of Cuer'Ilf's own dagger. With an instinctive, lightning-quick response, born of countless battles, Edgar grasped the weapon and, with unerring accuracy, hurled it at his adversary. The blade embedded itself deep into the demon's forehead, eliciting a guttural, agonized howl that reverberated through the air. Temporarily blinded by his own dark blood cascading into his eyes, Cuer'Ilf's defenses faltered.
Edgar, seizing this unexpected advantage, quickly retrieved his fallen sword. With a swift, decisive movement borne of both desperation and skill, he drove the blade deep into the demon's chest. The force of the blow sent Cuer'Ilf staggering backwards, and with a final, defeated groan, the formidable demon collapsed to the ground, defeated at Edgar's feet. The silence that followed was a stark contrast to the frenzied clash of moments before, with Edgar standing victorious, yet profoundly shaken by the narrow escape from the clutches of death.
"Defeated by a human... How is such a thing possible?" the demon wondered. "It must be sheer luck, because there can be no other explanation," he added, tossing at Edgar's feet a diamond as small as a child's fist, clear as a tear and as bright as the sun.
With his last breath, Cuer'Ilf's body was consumed by fierce flames, turning to ash within moments. Witnessing the defeat of their leader, the demon army began to retreat, slowly but surely. However, they didn't get far before an army of dwarven riders took them by surprise, decimating them with their magical projectiles.
The Kingdom of Trian was saved that day, but the war was far from over. The demons were numerous, and now, thirstier for revenge than ever. The name Edgar Argyle had become well-known among the demon chiefs, and they had no intention of letting him escape with one of the stones that could bring their destruction.
The moment Edgar took the diamond in his hand, he felt an astonishingly powerful energy coursing through his body. The diamond shone even brighter in the hand of a heir, signaling that the artifact was activating in the hands of its rightful owner.
A deep sorrow blanketed the entire Kingdom of Trian. Many brave souls had lost their lives in this battle. King Bardolph thanked Edgar for his deeds, but Edgar insisted that King Dumytrius deserved all the praise, for he had provided more than half of his army to Trian, leaving his own kingdom defenseless. Now, the Kingdom of the Sun and Trian were easy targets, their armies severely weakened. A single attack from the demons could defeat them in the blink of an eye.
Edgar already missed Valleria dearly. He received a letter from her, stating she had moved into his parents' house in Dornaran. Valleria's closing words in the letter deeply moved Edgar: "I hate these wars, I want them to stop, I want you to come home, I want us to raise our child without fear of tomorrow. I love you!"
How much easier things would have been if Ludrol had also sent some help. Yet, Ludrol was aware of the situation's gravity. He didn’t want to sacrifice part of his army, risking leaving Tuzmad defenseless in such times.
The demons had suffered a significant defeat, and Cuer'Ilf's death was a major setback. However, the real puppet master behind the scenes was not going to sit idly by. He would choose a new leader among the demons, possibly even more powerful than Cuer'Ilf.
Edgar kept looking at the shimmering diamond. He knew these stones had the power to end the war. Something told him that they must not fall into the Emperor's hands, so he was determined to do everything possible to prevent this diamond from being seized by them.