Fate of the Empires

Athust. The most populated and wealthy city in the nation. Pride of the Athusian people yet it is the heart of the nation’s corruption. Sadly, betrayal from within is something I am very familiar with. Sometimes treachery comes from those that are closest to you. The lust for power seduces both humans and Orrocks. Ethan. Kadus…

I remember when I first arrived here. I had been wandering from city to city in the south of Athusia when Ethan found me. He saw my skill firsthand and instantly offered me a job working for the Athusian government. I had nothing so I took the job. It is not that I needed the money. I have no use for it. I merely agreed for the experience. It was the perfect excuse to be around humans and study them. Of course, I did not get a warm welcome upon arrival. I think I was the first Orrock many of the Athusians in this city had ever seen.

I look upon this human dwelling, but not as I did once before. I see now with worldly eyes. There was a time when I thought all humans were the same. Filled with fear and hatred, but now I know that is not so. My experience in Densetsu and with Emily has shown me love and kindness. It is a wonder that I fight for a country filled with people that segregate my kind, but I have judged humans as they have judged me. Rather than enforce their unfounded beliefs I will show them they need not fear us.

“You have been very quiet, Draccus,” Leaia’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

“I am just finding it strange to be back in Athust,” I reply, “It has been so long.”

“Yes, it has,” Leaia says, “It’s much busier here than in Jinsei.”

Now that I think about it, the pace of the Densetsun capital was more relaxed. Jinsei was still active and crowded like one would expect from a large city, but things were…quieter. In Athust it is sometimes hard to hear yourself think, but I never would have thought about it had I not been somewhere else to compare it. Of course, Orrock moves at a slower, quieter pace than both countries, but we don’t really have cities either.

“Do you prefer it there, Priestess?” I ask.

“I like it, but it will never be home,” she answers.

“What about you, Jun?” Magnus asks, “Technically both nations are your home so which do you like better?”

“I’m fond of whichever one you are not in,” Jun jokes.

“Oh, ha ha,” Magnus says, not humored, “Seriously, which country do you like better?”

“I’ve never thought about it,” Jun answers, “I don’t think I prefer one over the other. And you?”

“The home of the Black Flame will always be my favorite,” Magnus says, “Draccus?”

“Both are nice, but Athust has seen brighter days.”

Athust is now under martial law. The country has not even gone to war yet and Ethan is making the people suffer as if they were. Soldiers walk the streets with full authority to hassle anyone they feel is suspicious. Somehow I doubt the fifty-year old shop owner who has lived in Athust all his life is a possible spy for a nation he’ll never see in his lifetime. Clearly, Ethan is worried about us returning and with good reason.

“Is this the welcoming celebration you had in mind, Magnus,” Jun jokes.

“Not exactly,” Magnus replies, “I was hoping for a parade at the very least.”

“If Ethan is expecting us then Tanus is definitely walking into a trap,” Leaia says.

“Magnus, tell Tanus to be on his guard, but don’t get him panicked. Ethan would’ve declared martial law right after he staged the Densetsun attack on Lord Darkwynde, so he may not realize what we are up to.”

“Alright,” Magnus answers.

Magnus closes his eyes for a moment while he speaks to Tanus in his head as he did with me on the slaver’s ship. After a few moments he opens his eyes. “He is alerting his men right now,” Magnus reports, “They are still enroute to the castle.”

“Good,” Jun says, “Let’s get moving.”

We make our way through the backstreets of the city, avoiding guard patrols as we go. I catch the normal uneasy looks from commoners as we pass them. No one seems too alarmed so I don’t think we have to fear them alerting the authorities of our presence. The element of surprise is crucial at this point. Our objective is to reach the Ale Geyser. It is a small pub near the center of Athust known for its ale fountain. Using steam power, a pump pushes ale through a series of tubes that lead to an ornamental fount on the bartop where patrons can fill their cups.

According to Jun, the pub also houses a secret tunnel that leads into the king’s castle. Our timing in reaching the tunnel has to be perfect with Cleric Tanus and his warrior priests entering the castle to report to Ethan. As we near the street of the Ale Geyser we wait for word from Tanus. “Magnus, do you have them?” Jun asks.

“Tanus and I are still linked,” Magnus answers.

“Where are they?” Leaia asks.

“They are approaching the outer gates,” Magnus says.

“We need to go,” Jun says.

Jun starts around the corner towards the pub, but quickly retreats. He pushes us farther back into the alley. “What’s wrong?” Leaia asks.

“Ethan thought of the tunnel,” Jun answers, “There are guards all over the pub. Magnus, tell Tanus to stall. We may have a slight delay.”

“Done,” Magnus responds.

“We need to get in there,” Jun says peeking around the corner, “But they’ll be looking for us.”

“I will distract them,” I say, “They will be looking for the four of us, not a single Orrock.”

“But they have your description,” Magnus argues.

“What is the first thing your kind thinks of when they see an Orrock?” I ask.

“That you all look the same,” Magnus says.

“That is what I am counting on,” I reply.

“I don’t like the idea of separating, but it may be our only option,” Jun says.

“Don’t worry, I will meet you on the inside.”

“Be careful, Draccus,” Leaia says.

“Always,” I look to Jun, “I will wait for the signal.”

I rush around the corner towards the pub growling very audibly. The guards take instant notice of me and begin to move cautiously towards me. I knock one of them over and continue passed them. They call for help. More guards emerge from within the tavern. The chase is on! I need to give the others as much time as I can.

As I run through the streets of Athust people trample over each other to get out of the way. I don’t need to create a path because everyone is terrified of me, which has worked in my favor this time. The guards are not as agile as I am and fall behind. If they get too close I just knock something into their path to slow them down again. I make a wrong turn and wind up in a dead end. Looks like I am going to have to fight them. I turn and prepare to stand my ground.

I keep the adjoining walls of the surrounding buildings to my back while the guards enclose my escape route. I don’t want to kill any of these men. They are not doing Ethan’s will; they are just doing their jobs, defending the city. I leave my blade sheathed. I am about to attack when a figure leaps down from the rooftops above. It is one of the Densetsun warriors. He disarms two of the guards and drops them to the ground. The rest of the guards are startled. I move in.

The fight is a quick one. The guards are well trained, but no match for the Densetsun and I. Two of the guards manage to run off. They will return shortly with other guards and in greater numbers I imagine. I turn to the Densetsun. “Thank you for your aid,” I say.

“I came to warn you, Master Orrock,” the warrior says, “I am Shinko. My team overheard some soldiers discussing plans for a trap, set in the castle. I fear you are in danger. Where is the Emperor?”

No. “He has already gone into the underground passage with the others,” I say, “What is the trap?”

“There is some creature in the tunnel as well as soldiers waiting on the other side. I believe the clerics are also in danger.”

“Where are the rest of your men?”

“They are still in position, waiting for the signal.”

“Then you and I need to find the quickest way into the castle.”

“May I suggest the sewage drain?”

Yes. I remember it from the castle layout. It is a series of large pipes and drains that allow water and human waste to be removed from the castle. It would not be my first choice of entry points, but I have no time to think of another. I cannot let the others walk into a trap! “Let’s go,” I say.

A short time later Shinko and I find ourselves outside one of the many sewage drains from the castle. The stench of it is almost overpowering. I rip the iron gating free that is put up over the opening to the tunnel. I am first to step into the hole. The smell is worse in here! The tunnel is not a very large one. I have to hunch over to move around and even then I am touching the top of the piping. Shinko wraps a piece of cloth over his mouth and nose before following me in.

The drains do not work as well as the idea would make you think. These humans dump large items that don’t wash all the way out. Rats and other vermin plague the drains feeding off of rotten perishables and raw meat. The particular drain we entered comes out in the castle basement near the kitchen. That would explain the smell and the old food that is backed up inside.

I lift the gating in the basement floor and climb out. I assist Shinko out before covering the drain back up. Wooden racks line the walls down here. They house many casks of ale. There is also food storage down here. Wheat and barley mostly. It doesn’t look like anyone has been down here in a while.

Shinko uncovers his mouth. “Maybe next time we find a better way in,” he whispers in disgust.

“I agree,” I whisper back.

We silently make our way upstairs to the kitchen. The room is large. Four raised, wooden slabs fill up the center of the room. On top of the slabs are pots, pans and varying utensils. The ovens are dark. The room is cold. The only movement comes from a dog scowering the floor for scraps. Shinko and I continue further into the castle.

This sneaking business is new to me. When on the hunt in the forests of Ollehll one must stalk their prey, but it’s different. You use the trees, the bushes, the earth itself as your allies. In these man-made, human structures one has to use the shadows. I don’t fit well in shadows. Shinko has been trained for this. He moves gracefully like a panther in the jungle.

I catch a scent down here. Athusians. A lot of them. It would make sense for the tunnel from the pub to come out somewhere below the castle. The Athusians I smell must be waiting to attack whoever enters from the tunnel. They won’t get that chance. “Shinko, we are close,” I whisper.

“I am ready,” he whispers back.

We slowly move down a dark corridor. There is torchlight in the distance and the sound of talking. The soldiers complain about waiting around. Shinko and I creep up along the wall. I use the reflection off my sword to see into the room. I can’t make out much detail, but there are at least twenty soldiers in chainmail armor. They are oblivious to our presence for the moment. Stealth may be our only chance to win this. These men are not like the city guards. They are Ethan’s personal warriors and will not be spared. I signal to Shinko to move in.

Shinko slinks into the shadows and slides along the wall to the back of the room. I tap the ground to draw the soldiers’ attention my way. It works. Three of them walk towards the corridor. Shinko silently takes down two other soldiers while they are distracted. The three soldiers get very close. I dash from the corridor striking with my Densetsun blade. I cut down all three men with one swipe! As the guards react, Shinko takes down two more of them.

I have made such a scene that the soldiers focus entirely on me, which allows Shinko to drop a few others from behind. He doesn’t waste any attacks. Every hit is critical, usually taking down his opponent on the first strike.

Six of the soldiers surround me. I use a spinning attack, lashing out with my tail and sword simultaneously. I knock two men back with my tail and remove one’s head from his shoulders with my blade. I get cut across my back and side during the fray. I drop my arm to trap the sword that hits my side as I turn. The blade digs in deeper, but is pulled away from its wielder. The sword falls to the ground as I release it, raising my arm to attack the weaponless soldier.

In most combat situations I would get back to back with my partner so we could cover each other, but this time Shinko and I use a very different strategy. We start on opposite sides of the room and work our way through our enemies until we meet in the center. On the last soldier Shinko does an overhead strike, but is hit in the side before he completes his attack. He pushes through the pain and cuts through the soldier’s helmet, splitting the skull.

We sweep the room to make sure everyone is dead. Shinko holds his side. “Is it bad?” I ask.

“I will live,” he answers, “We must reach Emperor Fang.”

I turn my attention to the tunnel entrance. The ground slopes down to a secured door. I examine the lock mechanism on the steel door. It is complicated, but the door hinges don’t look very strong. I should be able to force it open. After putting a little distance between me and the door, I charge, putting my shoulder into it. The door doesn’t even budge! What is this?! There is no way this door should’ve held. Shinko examines the door for himself. “It must be magically barred,” he says.

“Can you open it?” I ask.

“I am no sorcerer,” he answers.

“Cursed magic!”

“We must find a way in. We have to get to the Emperor.”

Suddenly the ceiling shakes. We both look up. Something is happening upstairs. Cleric Tanus and his men may be under attack. I have to help the priests! If anyone can get through this door it’s Jun, Magnus, and Leaia. “Cleric Tanus and his men are being attacked,” I say to Shinko, “We have to help them upstairs.”

“But the Emperor,” Shinko responds.

“We will come back for him,” I say.

“My duty is to protect him.”

“Jun can take care of himself. Would he want you to wait here for him or to help those in need? I need you at my side. Please.”

Shinko looks to the tunnel door. After a moment he looks back to me. “The Emperor can take care of himself,” he says with a nod, “Let’s go.”

We head back the way we came towards the kitchen. There are many hallways down here so I must rely on scent. I follow a draft that leads to more stairs going up. We reach the first floor of the castle. It’s much brighter here and the air is cleaner. The sounds of battle echo throughout the massive hallways of the castle. I smell more Athusians up ahead. Shinko and I follow the sounds to a large room near the front of the castle. The roof has collapsed in two areas from an apparent explosion that took out some support pillars. Tanus and his men are just finishing off the last of what appears to be some Black Flame mages. Two of the priests look to have lost their lives in the encounter. Shinko and I approach. “Cleric, what happened?”

“The Black Flame mages met us at the gate,” Tanus starts, “They led us in here and as soon as the doors were closed they turned on us.”

“There were no soldiers?” I ask.

“None,” Cleric Tanus answers, “Where are the others?”

“Are you not still connected to Magnus?” I ask.

“The last I heard from him was before the four of you were supposed to go into the passageway,” Tanus responds.

“There was a trap set for us, but I got separated before we entered. The other three are still underground. We have eliminated the guards that were waiting below, but there is a door we cannot open.”

“I believe there is magic holding it shut,” Shinko surprises me by speaking Athusian.

“I should be able to break the spell,” Tanus says, “Where is this door?”

“It is downstairs,” I answer, “Follow us, we’ll show you the way.”

Before we have a chance to go anywhere the room floods with Athusian soldiers and royal guardsmen. We are easily outnumbered five to one. They don’t attack us right away. The captain of the guards steps forward. He is a man of large stature. He wears plate armor and carries a two-handed sword. “Throw down your weapons and surrender yourselves,” the guard captain orders us.

“I am Vancord Tanus, high cleric of the Arusian order,” Tanus doesn’t back down, “We are here to apprehend a traitor to the crown!”

“It is you who are the traitors,” the captain snaps back.

“You would dare question the loyalty of the Arusian priests to Lord Darkwynde?” Tanus asks.

“Lord Fenholm has proof of your betrayal,” the guard captain stands his ground.

“Fenholm is the traitor!” Tanus shouts.

“This is the last time I will tell you,” the captain threatens, “Drop your weapons and surrender or there will be no mercy in how you are dealt with.”

This is going to end bloody. Neither man will betray their loyalties. The royal guards are honorable for their actions, but they don’t know the truth. I don’t want to fight them, but their ignorance will be their demise. We cannot let anything stop us from reaching Ethan.

Tanus makes one last attempt to convince the captain of the guards. “Don’t do this. We are not your enemies. We are trying to protect the interests of the kingdom just as you are. We should be working together, not against each other. I beg you to listen to reason.”

I can see some of the guards have doubts about their mandate. A few men start to lower their weapons. The guard captain notices this. “Those of you who are feeling sympathetic are welcome to join the traitors on the other side,” he says to his men.

The soldiers raise their weapons once more, but out of fear, not assurance. I have to do something. Fear seems to work best so I will use it. If there is one thing I have learned from Jun and Magnus it’s the importance of a good bluff. And I dare any one of these men to look me in the face and tell me I’m lying. I step forward. “And those of you who stay on that side will suffer a worse fate when the armies arrive that are still loyal to Darkwynde, not your Lord Fenholm. You will be the traitors.”

“You’re bluffing, Orrock,” the guard captain is getting angry.

“Am I? Do you really want to find out? The troops were traveling only a short distance behind us. They will be here very soon.”

Again some of the guards begin to lower their swords. “Shut your mouth, lizard!” the guard captain shouts.

“If you don’t stand aside the king will be dead and Fenholm will have what he wants. Lord Darkwynde may be dead already, but if you don’t let us by you are ensuring that he is not alive. Who is your loyalty to? Darkwynde or Fenholm?”

“What would you know of loyalty, savage?” the guard captain asks.

“I may not be human, but I fight for Athusia and if you stand by Fenholm you are the savage.”

A handful of the royal guards and soldiers turn their swords on their comrades. In their hearts they know the truth and have decided to do what is right. The guard captain is furious! “Attack!” he commands his troops.

I could not stop the inevitable, but at least I evened the odds a little. The room becomes a chaotic sea of steel as waves of warriors battle each other. Many fall on both sides. Polished armor becomes painted with the blood of the dead. The white floors of the castle run red.

Tanus fights alongside the clerics he has left. Shinko fights alone. Even wounded, his fury is unstoppable. I assist the soldiers that joined our cause. We are thinning the numbers of our enemies, but there are still so many. I look over to see Shinko crossing swords with two royal guards. The guard captain sneaks up behind him. Coward! “Shinko!” I try to warn him.

Shinko takes down the two guards right before the guard captain stabs him in the back. The guard captain runs the blade all the way through. Shinko staggers a couple of feet before falling to the ground. I break away from my current melee and rush towards Shinko. The guard captain blocks my path. “You’re next, Orrock!” he threatens me.

Tanus bashes into the guard captain with his shoulder launching him back. Tanus looks at me. “I’ll handle him,” Tanus says, “See to your man.”

Tanus engages the guard captain as I run to Shinko’s side. I kneel beside his overturned body. I lift him slightly so that he faces upward. He is dying. He looks at me. “Promise me…you will protect…the Emperor,” he coughs up blood as he speaks.

“I promise you, Shinko,” I reply, “I will.”

It seems the more I am around humans the more promises I make. I only hope I don’t become human enough to break them. Shinko holds his sword to his chest. “It was…an honor…to fight…by…your side…” with these words his eyes close, never to open again.

Back on Orrock I found my father just before he died. It wasn’t enough that Kadus betrayed our family, but he struck and just left our father to die. I held him in my arms as he passed just as I hold Shinko now. My father’s final request was that I avenge him. How could I? I am not Kadus. I couldn’t attack a member of my family and my brother was no exception. No matter how horrific his crime against our father, I could not bring myself to challenge him. I wanted him dead, but I would not do it myself. Was I wrong? Did I fail to honor my father by not carrying out his last wish?

Shinko, you were a true warrior like my father. You too were denied a good death by a coward and he shall pay for it! I am sorry, father. I should have stood up for what was right back then. Kin or not, I should have challenged Kadus for your murder. I will not back down again. I lay Shinko on the ground and take up his sword in my off-hand. I search the battlefield for the guard captain. I find him still fighting Tanus. I move towards them. “Tanus!” I shout, “He’s mine!”

The guard captain is more than happy to oblige me. Tanus stands down. He moves off to join in another melee. The guard captain points his sword at me. “You’re a smart lizard,” he says, “You turned my men against me.”

“You would not see the truth.”

“I know the truth. And I think it best to serve my master.”

“You are a traitor!”

“Not once Lord Fenholm is king. He will be very pleased with me for killing you.”

“And how are you going to do that? My back is not turned.”

The guard captain loses his calm. He charges me in a blind rage. He swings and I trap his blade using both Densetsun swords. I swing the two-handed sword to the side and down. Using the Shinko’s blade, I cut off the guard captain’s hands at the wrist. He screams. I strike in crossing both blades. I pull them apart, cutting the guard captain in half at the waist! Shinko, you are avenged.

We see victory over the soldiers and royal guardsmen. When the last man falls, bodies cover the ground. Tanus and four of his clerics survived. Two of them are injured, but they take care of that rather quickly. Eight of the soldiers who joined us still stand. This battle was senseless. If the guard captain had not been corrupt we may have avoided all of this bloodshed.

Tanus blesses the bodies of the deceased. I walk up to him. “I am sorry for your losses,” I say.

“And I yours,” he replies.

I look around at all the fallen warriors. “A lot of these soldiers died for following their commander into battle.”

“Such is the life of a soldier. They made their decision.”

“It is true, but they were lied to. They were denied the chance to make the correct decision.”

“Would it have made a difference?”

“I’m not sure, but the families of the dead might think so.”

Cleric Tanus thinks about my words for a minute. “I’ve never thought of it like that,” Tanus finally says, “You are very insightful…Draccus.”

“Thank you, Cleric. Are you ready to go downstairs?”

“Show me this door.”

We gather our numbers together and head towards the stairs leading below the castle. I only hope Tanus is able to get the door to the tunnel open. I cannot defeat Ethan without the others. It will take all our strength to bring this tyrant to his knees.