CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Red Sky
In the bustling capital city of Silverstone, Kaida returned to Clara's lab. She approached where she had left Tina's book, only to discover it was missing. She glanced around, searching for it, but it was nowhere to be found. "I know where you are," she thought aloud.
As Kaida hurried down the city's bustling streets, her mind was occupied with the book and the day's events. Her focus drowned out the chatter and laughter of the surrounding people. She glanced down an alley and spotted Tina leaning against the wall. "Tina, what are you doing here?" Kaida called out as she approached quickly. You're bleeding. What happened?"
Tina raised her head and gave a sad look. "Hey, Kaida."
"What happened?" Kaida asked, as she placed her hand on Tina's leg wound. She watched in awe as the injury glowed. With both hands resting on the wound, she focused intently, feeling a warm energy flow through her. It was a sensation she couldn't quite put into words, but it brought her comfort. When she finally removed her hands, she saw the wound had healed. "I did it again," she said with a small smile, looking on in confusion.
Tina smirked and said, "You've always been a kind person."
Kaida looked at Tina with concern. "What's wrong with you, Tina? You're not the same little girl I remember at all. You've been so distant lately." She stood up and hugged Tina tightly. "I'm here for you, you know? Your big sister will always be here for you."
Tina looked on with a blank stare. "You wouldn't understand, Kaida."
Kaida looked with a gentle smile. "I may not, but I'm here when you need me." She reached out her hand. "Let's go home."
Tina smirked and walked ahead of Kaida, refusing to take her hand. They strolled down the street toward their home, the city alive with the sounds of bells and chatter. The market was bustling with people as Tina passed by, when something caught her eye. She stopped and looked down a dark alley, where she saw Darecil and Bria standing. Darecil smiled and nodded at her while Bria waved, holding her doll in her arms. They turned and walked deeper into the alley, slowly disappearing.
Kaida looked down the alley. "What are you looking at?"
Tina gazed with weary eyes and sighed. "Nothing."
"Well, let's head home. I'll make you some stew," Kaida said with a smile.
Tina walked on with her head lowered and turned to Kaida. "That sounds great!" she beamed joyfully.
Kaida replied with an uneasy smile. "Alright," she said awkwardly, looking at Tina. She became deeply lost in her thoughts. "What's going on with her? Could it be that book?" She looked up at the blue sky, her concern growing. "I still have this terrible feeling. Dison, are you alright?" She said to herself.
The sound of the waterfalls was loud but could not overpower the monstrous growling and the gust from the flapping wings in Rosetta's ears as she stared at the shadow of an enormous creature. She glanced at Rosan for instructions, and Rosan motioned for her to run. Rosetta took Eldrisa's hand and led her away. "Come with me, my lady!"
Rosan and the royal guard stood ready as the beast passed through the falls. As it flew closer, its horns and reptilian body soared toward them with killing intent. Its massive wings extend outward from its arms, creating an unforgettable wingspan like a bird.
"Wyvern!" one guard yelled.
"Hold your position!" Damaltis shouted. "We will protect—!" He paused as another wyvern soared up from the cliffs below, landing on its hind legs and wings before him, and roared furiously. "By the gods; "he exclaimed in terror. "Nooo!" he screamed as the beast bit down on him, leaving only his legs standing in place.
The elves charged forward with spears, launching magic icicles and fireballs at the Wyvern. However, the attacks had little effect, and the creature's powerful aggression knocked some elves off the island, their screams fading into the distance. In response, Rosan ignited his sword, unleashing waves of blue fire toward the approaching beast. The Wyvern roared in pain as it ascended into the air. Scanning his surroundings, Rosan noticed even more wyverns soaring above them. "There are too many," he thought.
"Damn, we got a big problem." Talbis exclaimed.
"Elayne!" Rosan called out as the Wyvern came in for an attack.
"Right!" Elayne slammed her staff onto the ground, creating a light field around the area to prevent the Wyvern from attacking. "Please hurry; I can't hold them off for long." She looked at more, landing around them, fighting the royal guards.
Urision looked at the few Nuriel in the area. "How do we get them out of here? We're not prepared at all for this."
Rosan carefully assessed the chaotic scene before him. The Nuriel warriors, clad in shimmering armor that caught the light, flew forward with fierce determination, their battle cries mingling with the roars of the wyverns above. As the formidable creatures swooped down, their scaled wings casting dark shadows across the skies, the warriors readied their weapons, preparing to face the relentless onslaught that threatened to engulf them. Despite their fierce magical wind attacks, the wyverns quickly dismissed them as they consumed some of the Nuriel. The battle was one-sided; the wyverns seemed too powerful to be defeated. Their armored skin and massive size overwhelmed the Nuriel warriors. Rosan watched in wrath as the massacre unfolded before him, with feathers drifting through the air.
"But the warrior rushes in without hesitation to save those he cherishes from damnation!" Rosan heard Delcres in the distance. He turned to see him standing confidently on a silver wyvern, soaring through the air. Delcres looked at him with determination. "If I can get to him, maybe I can end this," Rosan stated.
"He possesses a unique ability to control wyverns, which is unheard of. I thought that wyverns only obeyed dragons?" Elayne said.
"We have to do something. Urision, come with me. Talbis and Elayne, you help as many of the Nuriel out of here as you can," Rosan ordered.
"We will not abandon our home, human." Nayalmi said quickly.
"This is not a battle we can win. Your army is getting slaughtered. Run and live to carry on. Get your people out of here." Rosan halted as he heard a crash from above them. He looked to see a floating island colliding with another. "They're attacking the crystals." He looked at the others seriously. "They're bringing the islands down. You need to go. There's no guarantee I can stop this." Rosan and Urision ran to their griffins and took off after Delcres.
"He kills without mercy and swears to his courage. Alas, deep inside he grows to love the carnage!" Delcres announced as he took off, gesturing invitingly towards them.
Talbis looked at Elayne. "There he goes again, off to save the day. Pisses me off sometimes. Someday I'll be the hero, you damn fool!" He laughed. "Alright, listen up!" He shouted to the elves, who looked at him with anger. "We have work to do and people to save. So set aside your damn pride for a little bit and listen."
"Where is Silvara?" Elayne asked as she searched for her.
"She's just being Silvara," Talbis exclaimed as he looked up at the devastation before him.
The ferocious wyverns soared ominously above the islands, their mighty wings casting dark shadows on the land below. With piercing cries, they swooped down, unleashing chaos as they tore through everything in their path, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The Nuriel, sensing the impending doom, scrambled to escape. Those who still had the strength to flee took off into the sky, desperate to evade the deadly onslaught.
The sound of wings grew louder in the fog surrounding Dison, Clara, Kale, and Rivera. Dison remained on guard as he gazed into the haze with a calm sense. A gust of wind that parted the mist surprised him, revealing Kaltros perched atop his Wyvern. Looking down at them, he brandished his long staff with a menacing glare. Dison looked at his cloak with contempt. "You're one of the ones who destroyed my village, aren't you?!"
"Only four of you. I thought there was going to be more. This is disappointing." Kaltros sighed. "I'll make this quick." He pointed his staff toward the group. "Devour them."
Another wyvern abruptly swooped down from the mist, roaring furiously. Dison's eyes widened as he glanced at the others, unsure what to do. Rivera pulled back her bow and fired an explosive arrow at the beast, striking it with a powerful blast.
"Get to the griffins!" Rivera said, firing another arrow.
Dison looked at Kaltros with anger, then ran toward the griffins, but glanced at Rivera as she stood against the monster that had just landed and was striking at her. He looked at his trembling hand and thought, "This is just another monster. If I can't handle this, then why am I here?" He drew his sword and looked at the red blade, which glowed to his surprise. "You want to help too, don't you? Then give me your power, just like with Eliza." He ran toward the battle.
"Dison no!" Clara yelled.
"Let him go. I don't like the guy, but if anyone can save Rivera, it's him," Kale reassured Clara. "We need to fall back. You're our healer, and my sworn duty as your protector is to get you to safety." He helped her on the griffin.
Dison ran and jumped in front of Rivera, who was becoming weary. The Wyvern approached them with a menacing presence, rearing back its head to let out a terrifying roar.
"What are you doing? You should have left! I can handle this!" Rivera shouted.
"No, you're my lieutenant, right?" Dison readied his sword. "I can't just abandon my lieutenant. Wouldn't look good on me." He looked at the Wyvern, getting closer. "What am going to do though?" He asked himself.
Rivera stood beside him. "You're a fool. Did anyone ever tell you that?"
"I've been told. What should we do about that creature?" Dison asked earnestly.
"I don't know," Rivera said, glancing at her bow. "Nothing I throw at it seems to have any effect."
"Wyverns are very much like their superior kin, the dragon! Magic as weak as yours is inadequate! Except for your fate and perish!" Kaltros raised his staff. "Kill them!"
The Wyvern charged at them with a fearsome roar. Dison glanced at his sword, which glowed. A mix of fear and confidence surged within him. "I can't die here." Quinn's voice echoed in his mind, bringing back a distant memory of Quinn in the woods. "You're not like the rest of us, Dison. Remember that. There's something about you that terrifies me." Dison turned to face the creature that was charging at them.
"Dison! Run!" Rivera shouted.
"We can't outrun this thing!" Feeling a surge of energy, he raised his sword and slashed forward as the Wyvern approached—a surge of energy shot from his sword. "What was that?" he exclaimed as he looked at the Wyvern, which swayed its head in pain, blood streaming from its eyes. It roared furiously, thrashing about in agony.
"You blinded one of my wyverns. Boy, was that a strategy or simply a fluke?" Kaltros said sarcastically. "It doesn't really matter; hurry and kill them!"
Dison looked at the Wyvern, which had stopped thrashing around. He started to smell the air and looked in his direction. It charged in his direction. Dison and Rivera ran toward the edge of the plateau. The crashing of the Wyvern's feet hitting the ground felt like a timer to them as it got closer.
"Rivera, aim for its wings." Dison suggested.
Rivera gazed over the edge of the canyon at her arrows. She selected an ice arrow from her quiver. "I hope this works," Rivera said. As she neared the edge, she and Dison jumped to evade the Wyvern, which carelessly plummeted off the cliff. Rivera quickly composed herself and shot the arrow into the Wyvern's wing, freezing it in place. The Wyvern then tumbled into the valley, roaring down until it crashed into the ground.
Kaltros looked on in disappointment. "What a foolish creature. As powerful as they are, they're still just animals." He raised his staff once more, and it emitted a magical glow. "Shall I show you true power? Grovel in despair!..." He halted when he heard a loud crash behind him.
Dison looked past Kaltros at some islands falling to the ground. "What's going on?"
"I don't know," Rivera answered in confusion.
Kaltros glared. "Delcres, you fool. What are you doing? That was not part of the plan." He looked resentfully at Dison and the others, had his wyvern turn, and flew away.
Dison gazed at the destruction as some islands collapsed, crashing to the ground. "Rosetta," he said to himself. He ran to the griffin, mounted it, and took off toward the falling islands.
"Dison!" Rivera shouted. She looked with anger. "Damn it." She ran to Clara and Kale. "We need to leave."
Clara asked, expressing concern, "What about Dison and the others?"
Rivera shook her head and looked at Dison with concern. "They will be fine. Come on." She jumped onto the griffin with the others, and they flew back toward where they had come.
Rosan and Urision listened intently to the distant roars surrounding them as they flew through the thick mist with limited visibility. Rosan kept his eyes sharp, watching as Delcres faded into the fog. "Stay alert," he warned. "I have a bad feeling."
"Yes, sir."
"Over time his wary soul grows forever distant, but his body moves forward endlessly persistent!" Delcres's voice echoed through the fog.
"He's toying with us, I fear," Urision said.
"Just keep your wits about you," Rosan said cautiously. He listened intently as the roaring sounds grew louder, gradually revealing their source as the mist around them cleared. Wyverns surrounded them.
Urision looked on with dread as he drew his sword. "We've flown straight into this one," he said.
Rosan smiled slyly and said, "Indeed, we did." He glanced at Delcres, who hovered on his Wyvern before them, the sound of its wings flapping in the heavy wind surrounding them. He looked at Delcres with the intent to kill.
"Those he cherished have seen deep into his eyes. They leave him knowing he is falling into his own demise." Delcres posed dramatically with his hand raised. "The sorrow felt by their disloyalty is so profound, but he eventually finds his rest upon his final battleground. How lonely it is to fight for your nation, for no one will care for your damnation. Do you like my poem? I call it. The sorrow of the warrior."
Rosan looked at Delcres with a straight face."You think this is a game?!" Rosan stood on his griffin, holding the reins. He drew his sword.
Delcres rubbed his chin. "You're right; it needs some improvement to be perfect. It would be a shame you didn't hear the ultimate creation. Do me a favor and try not to die here. That would truly sadden me," He raised his hand, and the wyverns flew toward Rosan and Urision. Delcres flew over them and back the way they all had come.
Rosan looked back as he flew away. "Don't worry; I'll be with you soon!" His sword ignited in flames, reflecting the anger in his eyes.
Urision raised his sword, which had turned blue with ice. Icicles shot toward the attacking wyverns. "We need to hurry. I think he's after the prince," he said, launching more ice forward. He and Rosan then flew in to confront the wyverns head-on.
Arminas followed Leonis into his work chambers, accompanied by two guards. A large, round desk stood at the far end of the long room. Voric and Ryallda gazed in astonishment at the intricate carvings of the Nuriel painted on the stone wall. The sound of clanking armor echoed through the quiet room.
"The Nuriel are profound artists and agriculturists," Leonis said as he walked behind his desk. "This great city is a piece of art itself."
"I would like to discuss the reason I am here." Arminas asked in confusion. "Everything looks to be alright."
"It is here, my prince." Leonis sighed and looked at the surface of the desk in hesitation at a map. "A small town on the edge of the kingdom is in threat. We haven't heard from them in a few weeks, and our scouts are not returning." A bead of sweat ran down his forehead as he swallowed. He pulled a napkin and wiped his head. "I was hoping someone will find out why."
"This is a matter for the military, not the royal family." Voric interrupted. "What is the meaning of this?"
Leonis breathed heavily. "I assure you that is..." He paused as Ryallda drew her sword and pointed it at his throat. He looked on in fear. "What?.."
"Silence. You lie. When a human speaks to you like that, you just allow it. You are terrified," Ryallda said with conviction.
The guards standing next to Leonis reached for their swords. "Stop, you fool. You have no chance against a Wyrmguard. "I need you to hear me out, my prince..." Interrupted again by the ground shaking. "What?" He ran to the balcony, where he saw the wyverns attacking. "No. No. No, they weren't supposed to attack here. What are they doing?"
"You betray the empire. My prince, we are leaving now," Ryallda ordered as they walked toward the exit. She looked at Leonis with disgust. "I'd have your head for this treason. But for now, I must get the prince to safety." She followed Voric and Arminas out.
"Stop them, you fools!" Leonis ordered the guards as he ran after them. He and the two guards ran outside to meet Ryallda, who was waiting, her cape blowing in the wind.
"Now you decide to fight." Ryallda said.
"I'm sorry, but the prince must die. It's not what I want, but I have to. I have to stop you!" Leonis shouted with dread.
"You are but a fool." Ryallda thrust her sword, creating a vortex of wind that spiraled at Leonis and his guards. It tore stone from the ground as it flew toward them.
Leonis and the others jumped out of the way, but the projectile struck the building, tearing through it and hurling stone debris. Ryallda was far off in the distance when they got back up. "After them," Leonis ordered.
"Sir." one guard said to get his attention.
Leonis turned and saw a figure in a black robe on the island's edge. "Veltress. I did what you asked! Please let me have my wife so we can leave this place."
"Was that what we agreed upon? I don't remember." Veltress said in a sarcastic tone.
"Yes, I did it. Release her, and we will go far away. I swear, no one will know about you. I promise," Leonis begged.
"Fine." Veltress raised her hand with a magical aura. "You may have her."
Leonis searched for his wife, but all he could see was emptiness. "Where is she?" He paused as he heard a woman's scream, followed by a loud thud against the ground behind him. Turning, he saw her lifeless body, covered in blood, and he fell to his knees. "Silesia," he whispered, gently touching her face.
"I released her. Now you can leave." Veltress said with a wicked smile.
Leonis looked at Veltress with rage. "KILL HER!" He commanded as the guards drew their swords and ran at her.
Veltress grinned as she waved her hand, conjuring a portal beneath the guard's feet. They screamed as they plunged through the portal, falling off the island behind her. Their cries faded away until they were no longer heard.
"You wretch. Pathetic low-life scum! Do you know who I am? I'll kill you for this!" Leonis ran forward, grabbed a sword off the ground, and charged at Veltress. He suddenly collapsed to the ground as if he had tripped, feeling pain in his legs. He looked back and realized that both of his feet were gone, and blood gushed from his legs. As he turned, he saw them land right in front of him. "I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Veltress walked closer to him as he crawled at her, swinging the sword at her frantically. "Oh my. You loved your wife so much, I see." She said, looking down at him with a wicked smile. "Then go, be with her." Gesturing her hand, a portal opened underneath Leonis, swallowing him. She walked past Silesia, hearing Leonis' screams and a crash behind her. She looked back at the two of them lying beside each other, their blood covering the ground underneath them. "I know all too well what love brings. Consider yourself fortunate." She looked at the ensuing chaos in the distance. "I'd hate to go up against a Wyrmguard. But Delcres should handle her with no problem." She walked away as a portal engulfed her.
Rosetta and Eldrisa sprinted through the city as chaos unfolded around them. Ominous clouds of smoke swirled in the sky as fierce wyverns swooped down, their enormous wings casting shadows over the crumbling buildings. Debris littered the streets, forcing them to maneuver through the wreckage, their hearts racing with fear and adrenaline.
Gasping for breath, Eldrisa finally halted, pressing her back against a cold, crumbling wall. Her eyes were wide with panic as she surveyed the destruction. Without hesitation, Rosetta grasped her hand, urgency flaring in her voice. "Come on!" she urged, leading Eldrisa into a nearby building. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior that offered a fleeting sense of safety amidst the chaos outside.
Eldrisa fell to the ground. "Why is this happening? What does this man want?" She looked to Rosetta for answers.
Rosetta stared at her, perplexed. "I honestly don't know, but I suspect this was a setup for a member of the royal family."
"Your commander knows this man from what he said. How?" Eldrisa asked.
"He found him destroying villages before, apparently. He told us he and his group had strange powers." Rosetta looked at the building crumbling around them, grabbed Eldrisa's hand, and led her out. "We can't stay here. Come on."
They dashed down a market street when a loud crash occurred ahead of them. A wyvern emerged from the rubble, causing dust to swirl. It roared fiercely as it advanced toward them.
Rosetta got in front of Eldrisa. "You need to run. I'll hold it off." She punched it in the snout, blasting a powerful shock wave through the street.
The Wyvern barely budged and looked at Rosetta with anger. It growled as it reared back for an attack. It snapped at her, causing her to jump back. Icicles shot over her head, striking the creature. Rosetta looked to see Silvara running to assist.
Silvara ran beside Rosetta as they ran toward the Wyvern. "Let's make it quick."
"My thoughts exactly!" Rosetta replied.
They charged forward like a raging tide, unleashing a relentless storm of attacks that battered the creature from all sides. With each blow, sparks flew, and the air crackled with energy. Flames roared to life, dancing down the street and casting flickering shadows on the walls as Eldrisa stood, captivated, her heart racing at the display of power and bravery. The Wyvern plummeted into a building with a powerful combination attack from the two of them.
Rosetta and Silvara stood, panting, as they looked at each other and laughed. "Only a about a hundred more to go," Rosetta teased. A large growl caught their attention as the Wyvern rose back up and snarled at them. "Oh, come on. Stay down please."
Silvara looked at Eldrisa. "Take her and run. I'll buy you some time."
"Not a chance," Rosetta replied.
"Don't be stubborn. I'll catch up," Silvara said, but a powerful gust of wind surging overhead interrupted her. It struck the Wyvern's head with such force that it tore it off. Its body flailed around, crashing into buildings until it finally stopped.
Rosetta and Silvara looked surprised to see Ryallda approaching from behind them. "That was a pitiful display of power, if you ask me," Ryallda remarked as she, Voric, and Arminas walked toward them.
Arminas approached Eldrisa. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, my prince," Eldrisa said, blushing as she spoke.
"We have no time for joyful reunions, I am afraid. We need to find a way off of these islands," Voric suggested.
Ryallda approached Silvara and Rosetta. "Thank you for protecting Lady Eldrisa; however, you must improve your skills." She looked at the Wyvern. "If I did not show up, you would probably have perished."
Rosetta and Silvara glared at Ryallda. Rosetta clenched her fist while Silvara grasped Rosetta's shoulder. "Let's get out of here before more of those things land," Silvara said.
A sudden gust of wind surprised everyone, nearly toppling them. "Alas, fair maidens of Lisorin and Aardocia, to slay such beautiful creatures, saddens me greatly." Delcres leaped off the silver wyvern and landed gracefully on his feet. "My dear prince, would you come and allow these maidens to leave? Only you must die today."
Ryallda stepped in front of Arminas. "My prince will not fall today. You are brave to challenge a Wyrmguard of Lisorin. Or stupid." Ryallda looked at Rosetta and Silvara. "Let me handle this fool and his pet. You two take the prince and find a way out of here."
"I will not leave." Arminas proclaimed. "I am no coward." He drew his sword and stood beside Ryallda. "Take Eldrisa and go, please."
Ryallda looked at the prince with respect. "My prince, please..."
"No, I will stand with you," Arminas said seriously.
"As you wish, my prince," Ryallda accepted.
Eldrisa admired Arminas and said, "Please be careful, my prince. Return to me. To us," she corrected, blushing.
"I will, I promise." Arminas smiled.
"Come on, my lady." Silvara grabbed Eldrisa's arm and led her down the street with the others.
"Go, Voric. I'll be fine," Arminas said, noticing Voric lingering.
Voric sighed and replied, "Yes, my prince," as he hurried to catch up with the others.
"Are you finished with the pleasantries?" Delcres said, sounding impatient. He turned to his Wyvern. "I'll let you have the rest of them." With that, the Wyvern flew overhead toward the others.
"I will not allow you to leave!" Ryallda prepared a spell and aimed it at the Wyvern, but Delcres interrupted her with a sword strike. "How did he get to me so fast?" she pondered. Barely keeping up with his barrage of attacks, she jumped back to gain composure.
Arminas ran in to attack, but Delcres kicked him to the side, knocking him back farther. He fell to his knees, coughing. Confused, he looked at Delcres. "No human can be this fast," he thought.
Ryallda rushed in front of Arminas. "You dare attack my prince." Ryallda surveyed the man. "What is this thing in front of me?" she thought. "May I have your name?"
"Trying to buy time while you examine your situation. I commend that." Delcres bowed. "I am Delcres Flarewin. May I have yours, fair maiden?"
"Ryallda Eldarin." Ryallda readied herself for the attack. "It does not matter what or who you are. I am a Wyrmguard of Lisorin, and I will slay any enemy of the empire." The wind swirled around her intensely as her magic engulfed her. "He's no ordinary human. I can not afford to be careless." She thought.
Ryallda charged at Delcres with incredible speed, launching a series of powerful attacks. However, he effortlessly blocked each of her strikes with his blade quickly, and she jumped back to reassess his defense. Then, lifting her weapon, she unleashed a mighty whirlwind toward him. Delcres looked at her with a sympathetic grin.
Arminas shielded his face from the debris of the wind. He watched as the whirlwind consumed Delcres. "Such power. Did she get him?" he muttered to himself.
"That wind should have torn him apart." Ryallda held the wind swirling around her hand. "But." She turned and clung tightly to her sword as it met his attack. "Your speed is incredible." She placed her hand on his chest. "I doubt you can dodge this one." She released the same attack that decapitated the Wyvern at Delcres, sending debris and dust everywhere. She looked wide-eyed at Delcres, who took the full force of her attack with a smile. "How?" She thought.
"Magic of that level has no effect on me, I'm afraid," Delcres said with a sinister grin. "I don't have to dodge your attacks."
"You are neither human nor cursed blood." Ryallda continued her relentless assault, striving to outmaneuver Delcres but faltering at every turn. "How is this possible? I have trained for hundreds of years to become one of the elite, a proud member of the Wyrmguard," she thought. "Stay focused; I can do this," she reminded herself.
She turned and swung her weapon to strike Delcres, but he dashed past her. Before she could counter, he hit her in the stomach with a back fist, sending her bouncing into the ruins behind her with a shock wave. Her helmet flew off, revealing her bloody face that had scraped the ground as she skipped across the ground. Ryallda attempted to stand, holding her stomach, but her legs kept giving way beneath her.
"My, you are a beauty indeed. Alas, my fair maiden, our time together is up." Delcres postured as he walked toward her. But he paused as Arminas stepped between them. He laughed. "Now the prince comes to protect the protector. This is a worthy performance, I concur."
"I won't let you kill her." Arminas went into a battle stance.
"My prince, please leave this place." Ryallda tried to stand, but she began coughing up blood into her hand. "He struck me harder than I assumed." She leaned on her rapier, still trying to stand up but struggling to keep her balance.
Arminas looked at the surrounding destruction. "You come here to kill me? But why such a spectacle? Why all of this?"
Delcres grinned with a hint of malice. "You are but a scene in a much larger play, I'm afraid." He posed dramatically. "It's been thousands of years in the making."
Arminas glared at Delcres, his expression filled with resentment. "What are you?"
Ryallda looked to Arminas. "He is a Dragon scorn. A human who has drunk the blood of a dragon." She huffed. "I saw your eyes when you attacked me last. They were the eyes of a dragon."
"You are a powerful Wyrmguard, but I have defeated stronger foes. With more training, you could have posed a challenge. Alas, I am thousands of years beyond your level." Delcres walked closer as Arminas charged at him. Parrying Arminas's attack, knocking his sword from his hands. Delcres plunged his sword toward his chest. He looked at him with pity as he noticed Arminas had grabbed the blade with his hands. The blood ran down his blade as he pushed his sword forward. Sliding the blade along Arminas's hands with a grimace, getting closer to his core. "You have spirit, but you will fall today, little prince."
"My prince, leave me to my fate. I must protect you until I die," Ryallda exclaimed.
"Shut up. I will not let you die." Arminas looked into Delcres's eyes with persistence. "Not to someone like him."
Delcres smiled with excitement. "A prince trying to save someone beneath him. I never expected that from an elf. You are brave. I'll give you that. But alas, you will watch her life fade before your eyes." A look of malice came over him as he yanked the blade from Arminas's hands and kneed him in the stomach.
Arminas fell to the ground, coughing up blood and looking at his sliced hands. He observed as Delcres walked past him toward Ryallda, who had finally stood and readied her sword while struggling. "Run!"
"I cannot do that. It is my duty," Ryallda said.
"You have accepted your fate. That's good. I will make him watch what I do to you. Then he will receive the same." Malice had taken over Delcres's face as he slowly approached like a predator, closing in for the kill. A piercing scream from a griffin echoed overhead, followed by a crash behind. Delcres turned excitedly to gaze at the man standing on the broken cobblestone, with his sword ready and eyes filled with rage. "I was curious about when you would finally arrive, Rosan Aldaric."