Chapter 103 – Three’s Company

Jack, Gideon, and Rodeo tore through the city with surprising ease. The sounds of explosions and alarm bells ringing all throughout the city heralded their assault . Crowen soldiers took to the skies, raining down from above and trying to cut off Jack’s group as they made their way towards the keep, but they stood little chance. Gideon was sending volleys of his golden flames into the sky to meet them as they dive-bombed in.

Rodeos had his own blades swimming through the air and eviscerating anything that stood in their way. Jack opted to make use of his speed, running ahead, and tearing through every checkpoint and guard post. No one suspected the enemy to be this deep inside the city, so even though the capital was alive and alert, they were wholly unprepared for the thunderstorm that came crashing down upon them.

As they crested a hill that led to the castle proper, Jack threw a nervous glance at the city wall and an unopened city gate. Fighting seemed to be the heaviest there, and Jack felt a tightening in his stomach as he watched crows circling in the air above, flying down to the ground and disappearing into the chaos below. Sarah would be somewhere in that mess. If they could get the gate open, there would be an army waiting on the other side, and the Crowen seemed acutely aware of that, sending all of their resources to stop it.

Another explosion drew Jack’s attention, and he glanced out towards the temple district where Hannah was supposed to be. That whole section of the city looked to be on fire by now, and Jack honestly wasn’t sure what the hell was happening over there, but it was likely that Hannah was winning.

“If you’re done with sight-seeing, we need to get a move on. If the king manages to escape, this whole thing is fucked,” Rodeo growled from behind.

Jack rolled his eyes in annoyance and turned back up the road towards the keep.

The killing the king part of the plan wasn’t exactly necessary. So long as we opened the gates and got inside the city, the U.F.E. would likely win the war. Unfortunately, the king possessed the final key to the dungeon of Xinnolath, and supposedly he had his own portals inside the castle which would allow him to get away to god knows where. That’s the real reason why they selected Jack, Rodeo and Gideon to get inside the castle and kill the king. Nobody wanted to spend months chasing after the king.

As they approached the castle, Rodeo took them around the side of the large stone walls that protected the keep.

“Servant’s entrance is over here. They’ll let me in without too much fuss if word hasn’t made it back yet about my betrayal.” Rodeo said. Jack and Gideon followed Rodeo to a dimly lit wooden door on the backside of the castle, quickly dispatching any patrolling guards around the perimeter. Rodeo knocked on the door, and a large, portly guard opened the door.

“Rodeo, I’m not spose to let anyone in, sir. If you want inside, go through the front gate.” The man said.

“Front gates locked down tight. They aren’t letting anyone in up there. The king summoned me. I suggest you get out of my way.” Rodeo said matter of fact.

The guard didn’t budge. Then he fell to his knees, clenching at his head and screaming in agony. Rodeo brought his blade down on the back of the guard’s skull.

“We’re under attack!” Jack heard a voice call out from inside.

“So much for the subtle approach. You’re up Jackie-boy.” Rodeo chuckled.

Jack pushed into the room. Gideon and Rodeo fell in step behind him as he launched at a pair of wholly unprepared Crowen soldiers who stood guard in what looked like some sort of servant’s quarters. He tore through them with ease, and when more guards rounded the corner to flank him, Rodeo was there with his swords ripping them apart. Jack and Rodeo spilled out into another hallway filled with more patrolling guards and not even half a second passed before the two men devoured the four patrolling units.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you two work quite well together.” Gideon said in an appreciative tone from behind.

Rodeo chuckled to himself, and Jack tried to ignore the dragon. As much as he hated to admit it, Gideon was right. Jack and Rodeo were two sides of the same coin. They knew each other like they knew themselves.

The two fell into a rhythm as they cleaved their way through the castle. Rodeo used his swords and mind tricks to create the perfect openings and diversions that allowed Jack to seamlessly move through the guards’ defenses with little to no effort. It was like Rodeo was unlocking a door, and all Jack had to do was step through, where the enemy would be waiting for him to kill.

That’s right Jackie-boy, just like I taught you.

Jack came grinding to a halt as Rodeo’s voice creeped into his head. One of the Crowen guards brought his sword down on Jack, and his shadow armor slid up to his shoulder, catching the blade before it could bite in too deep. Jack didn’t care though, he spun on his heel, swinging his dagger hard, aimed straight at Rodeo’s head.

Gideon caught his arm in an iron grip.

Rodeo was smiling ear to ear at the dagger Jack had inches away from his eye.

“Please, this will be far easier if I don’t have to babysit you the entire time.” Gideon said matter of fact.

“Stay the fuck out of my head.” Jack spat, yanking his arm free and taking out the last remaining guard.

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He pushed down the hallway and out into the grand foyer. Large towering pillars and polished marble floors made up the room. They filled it to the brim with guards who all leveled their weapons at Jack.

“Perhaps I can be of assistance for this one.” Gideon said as he stepped up from behind Jack.

Jack watched as golden flames poured off the dragon’s body, pouring off him like liquid and spilling out over the floor. The Crowen guard stepped back, but the flames washed their feet. Nothing happened at first, and Jack continued to watch as more and more of the flames flowed out across the marble floors.

“Be cleansed upon my shores of gold…” Gideon said in a quiet timber that cut through the chaos of the room. Gideon took a single step, bringing his foot down hard and splashing some of the flaming liquid. The room erupted in radiant golden flames, consuming everything in sight.

Jack stared wide eyed as the small battalion of crown soldiers burned to nothing, the flames erasing even the very ash they turned into.

Gideon, on the other hand, had a large frown on his face.

“That technique is so much more impressive on the 15th floor. I hope you don’t think I’m weak. I can do much better, I assure you.”

“I’m sure you can, buddy. I bet you’re really strong on the 15th floor.” Jack said, giving the dragon a demeaning pat on the back.

“It’s true!” Gideon protested, “you don’t believe me, do you? It’s this damned first floor mana. I knew I should have brought a vision crystal with me…” Gideon mumbled under his breath.

“Uh huh. Which way, Rodeo?” Jack asked, changing the subject.

“Throne rooms just on the other side of that door,” Gideon said, pointing at a large, closed door at the end of the grand foyer.

“This looks like a job for an exceptionally strong dragon,” Gideon said, cranking his shoulder and walking up towards the door.

He slammed his fist into it, and the entire castle shook, dust raining down from the rafters above. The door didn’t budge. Gideon’s frown deepened. This time, golden flames poured out over his hands and formed a draconic claw, which he slashed at the giant door to the throne room. A blue barrier sprung to life that hummed with power as it fended off Gideon’s second attack.

“Maybe this is a job for a big strong human” Jack grinned, stepping past Gideon and casting [Lightning Centipede's Bite].

A pair of giant black fangs wreathed in lightning slammed into the barrier, stopping Jack for the briefest of seconds before it shattered like falling glass. His fangs ripped through the door like paper after that. Giant pieces of the enormous door came crashing to the ground as he tore through it.

Jack grimaced slightly at his scorched mana channels and pulled out a health potion, quickly fixing the damage done to his arms. His body was tougher now, so instead of his bones breaking every time, they merely felt cracked or severely strained.

“That’s not fair,” Gideon protested. “I weakened it for you. Had you let me get off a third attack, I certainly would have broken the door.”

“Oh, I’m sure…” Jack trailed off, stepping into the throne room as the dust cleared out.

“I should warn you,” Rodeo added from behind, “His royal guard is particularly nasty. I would have killed him myself a long time ago if not for them.”

Jack glanced around the mostly empty throne room. It was a large open space, red carpet running down the center ending at a throne that sat on a stage above everything else. Pillars lined either side and moonlight spilled in from the enormous windows behind the throne.

On the throne sat King Reynard Crowen. His black hair combed back, a golden feathered crown sat upon his head, a large glowing purple gem affixed at its center. His strong jaw was framed by a pointed goatee that gave his face dangerous angles. He wore a lazy smile on his face as he stared down at Jack, Gideon, and Rodeo.

Large black feathers began to fall like snow from above. Jack glanced upward to see them appearing out of the darkness of the hidden shadows. He began to walk across the throne room towards the king. Gideon grabbed his shoulder and stopped him before he could push too deep into the field of feathers.

“Careful,” was all Gideon offered. Jack stared at the falling feathers, letting his focus shift slightly so he could see the mana that coursed through them. He was slightly annoyed that Gideon had to remind him to do so. The feathers were brimming with a deep purple mana as they fell to the ground. Jack reached out and let one touch his palm. He grimaced in pain as his hand exploded in half a dozen unseen cuts.

Jack let out a sigh as he glanced across the room that was raining feathers. They pooled on the ground, covering the floors completely. The king sat unmoving, an almost nonchalance to his stature as he stared down Jack.

“Can you just burn this shit up?”

“Tell me you believe that I’m actually strong first.” Gideon said, crossing his arms in defiance.

Jack chewed on his lip for a second, staring at the feathers, and then back at Gideon.

“Yea, that’s what I thought. You’re too weak to actually pull it off.” Jack smirked.

“Don’t think I’ll fall for a trick that simple.”

Jack rolled his eyes in annoyance. He actually thought the dragon would take the bait.

“How is it that two of the strongest people I know are both absolute morons? Quit dicking around, we’ve got a job to do.” Came Rodeo’s gravelly voice. He stepped forward into the falling feathers, throwing out one sword after another from his void sack into the air. They swam like sharks, deflecting the falling feathers with ease as he walked beneath them towards the king.

He only got halfway before the feathers on the ground began to move, swirling in patterns and angulating in a steady rhythm. Jack heard Rodeo ‘tsk’ in annoyance before jumping back next to him and Gideon.

The feathers didn’t stop though; they kept growing in mass, swirling around the room gaining speed as they swirled around pillars, gathering up more and more of the falling black feathers until it was one large dark mass. The mass broke apart into six streams, each spilling out in front of Jack, Gideon, and Rodeo.

The feathers linked together, each forming a smaller blob that quickly took shape. Two enormous legs jutted out, and then two large, feathered arms. Feathers formed into the shape of a head, a razor-sharp beak erupting out of front. It let loose a terrifying screech that was loud enough to make Jack dizzy.

Six hulking bird-like monstrosities stood before them, their feathers bound together by a deep purple mana that coursed through their bodies. They stood in defiance, falling into formation in front of the king.

“Gentleman, I give you the royal guard.” Rodeo said.

Jack cranked his arm and twirled his daggers in his hands.

“We each get two apiece,” he said matter of fact, “first one to kill their targets gets declared the strongest.”

Gideon was halfway across the throne room before he could finish the sentence.