O Saga: Part One: Book of Origins

Since Malaika left to train with Chaska, her connection to the Qamatan people has been strained. She still felt for them, but they felt betrayed by her. Her Father, Chief Kava’s influence most likely.

Malaika had learned of her Father’s fate of being hung only recently. She didn’t want to mourn his death publicly as she hated to be seen as weak. She had found an isolated spot outside of Teodor and cried profusely.

She had her fair share of issues with her Father, but she loved him more than he knew. She wished she had told him more often. What was done was done.

Coming to the defense of her people, possibly giving her life, Malaika hoped might bridge some gaps between her and those who felt betrayed. Judging from the results of the battle, there may be few Qamatans left.

It was completely dark, as the night arrives early this time of year. Somehow, it managed to get even colder. It was too cold for moisture in the air, so there were clear skies. The stars only provided minimal light.

The Sorors had entered the fight and were not holding anything back. The red-robed women were sending waves of energy at Malaika and the others. Malaika was forced to make an energy shield for protection. The Sorors were putting everyone on the back foot.

The Black Legion chariots and cavalry had more cover fire to attack both flanks. The lake’s flatness was turning to the enemy’s advantage. Two Sorors directly engaged Rovan and Olafur, while a third Soror held back in reserve.

The right flank was getting the same treatment. Malum and Thea were doing their best but were getting pressed back by the barrage of Soror attacks.

Malaika and Chaska split up on either flank and rode hard at the Sorors, trying to draw fire. It worked, but only temporarily. Malaika and Chaska retreated to Flaero’s position.

The Black Legion soldiers had better weapons and training and were going to route the Qamatans. Rovan signaled for the entire left flank to retreat. The right flank was doing similarly.

The Black Legion soldiers and Sorors were not given any chance to let up, and the whole battle threatened to collapse.

“I have an idea,” Flaero shouted. “Elisapie and Gaia. Lead half of the Qamatans away from the lake to the deeper snow behind the trees. It will make it difficult for the Chariots and Calvary. Rovan and Olafur attack the Sorors on the left in close-quarter combat. It will help to neutralize their cover fire. Ichante and Apollyon take a partial group of Qamatans as the reserves for Elisapie: Malum and Thea, close-quarter combat with the Sorors on the right. Meanwhile, Malaika and Chaska, I want you to take a partial group of Qamatans to the right flank of the lake. Try and drag them back to me and the remainder of the forces.”

Being able to constantly reassess the battle was a good sign of a natural tactician. Flaero was proving to be a brilliant General. Getting the enemy into the deep snow wouldn’t be an advantage, but it would take away the advantage of the chariots. The trees along the lake would make it more difficult for the Sorors to help.

The left flank retreated off the lake. Flaero and the reserves made it a good show, looking like they were leaving the battlefield. Malum and Thea were locked in a fight with two Sorors.

Malaika and Chaska rode forward and called the right flank to follow them. They ran to Flaero and successfully got the Black Legion to chase them. Flaero and his forces attacked as soon as everyone was in the deeper snow.

Malaika and Chaska dismounted and clashed weapons with the enemy. As Malaika was fighting, she saw something strange. Three owls landed on a tree nearby. Then Malaika felt a tingling of something familiar. She knew some old friends had come to the rescue.

——-

Elisapie and Gaia finally got into the thick of the battle. They were held back in reserve due to their health, but her adrenaline started kicking in. Once the taste of the battle wets your lips, an Ijani Knight needs to quench the thirst.

Gaia and her had drawn forces off the lake and into the snow. Elisapie was using an evergreen tree as a helpful assistant. Gaia and the Qamatan people provided the rest.

Elisapie was reduced to quick thrusts and stabbing with her sword, as the footwork in the snow was like trying to move in thick mud. Elaborate sword movement was always a bad idea in a fight. Being as direct as possible to the kill was how you lived.

Elisapie thought she saw shadows moving in the distance behind the battle. She was too focused to pay them any real attention.

“Did you see that?” Gaia asked in mid-battle.

“I saw something,” Elisapie said.

“Yeah, something, many somethings at that,” Gaia grunted as he parried

The battlefield echoed with the piercing howl of wolves. It caught everyone’s attention. Elisapie remembered the last time they had fought in Teodor and how Malaika had summoned wolves. She smiled with pleasure, knowing what came next.

Elisapie was surprised when she saw bears running through the trees and onto the lake first.

“Gaia, was that a bear?”

“If it wasn’t, it was the biggest damn wolf I ever saw.”

Elisapie came around the tree to get a better view of the lake and saw hoards of bears attacking the Calvary and chariots. The horses were faster, but some bears got close enough to slash at the rider. Elisapie recoiled at the sight of the bear ripping apart the fallen rider.

“Yikes, They’re on our side, right?” Gaia double-checked.

Before Elisapie could answer him, the wolf pack arrived and swarmed the enemy.

Sorors killed bears and wolves with energy blasts to stay alive, while the Black Legion soldiers were not as lucky.

The flanks of Black Legion soldiers Elisapie and others were fighting and starting to waiver. Some were beginning to retreat to the Soror’s positions. The Qamatans around Elisapie were cheering at the sight.

“It’s only a coincidence that the bear and wolves showed up; they retreated because of my immense prowess as a fighter. Just getting started, really.” Gaia bragged.

“I could hear you wheezing the entire battle like my Grandma.” Elisapie teased him.

“It’s not even an insult. Your Grandma was renowned for her needlework.”

“If I ever knew my Grandma, the only needlework she would have done is jabbing you.”

“That’s what I meant.”

“Hey, Ass-hat, we better fall back to Flaero.”

———-

Makwa must have come through. The bears and wolves had come to join the fight. They finally realized that this war would affect their lives, too. The bear and wolf were here as much for their sakes as for friends.

Malaika rejoiced as she saw Black Legion soldiers in full retreat. The cavalry Chariots were less lucky. The bears and wolves must have had their predator instincts kick in as the chariots tried to roll on the ice away from them. The riders were getting mulled, and the Sorors were too busy fighting for themselves.

Malaika was sad to see the wolves and bears being killed. She couldn’t let her friends die, but she also had a score to settle for her Father. She set her sights on a Soror and found a horse to ride in attack.

Malaika was moving fast and had caught the Soror’s attention. Blocking energy blasts, she leaped from the horse and tackled the Soror.

Before either of them could get up, a battle horn and war cries rang out. Malaika recognized the sound. Coming from the direction the Black Legion soldiers were retreating from was a large Calvary bearing the flags and armor of Hanwi. Princess Ichante’s Father, the King, came with his Army.

Hanwi infantry surrounded the entire Eastern side of the lake and slaughtered the retreating soldiers. Malaika recognizes Ichante’s brother Hotah and Atoc Baal stepping forward from the ranks. They had their swords out and sent energy blasts at the lake. Ice exploded, and freezing water splashed high. They were cutting off any retreat on the lake. Only the Sorors remained.

Malaika realized she was free to fight one-on-one without any interruptions. The Soror came to the same conclusion.

They stood up, Malaika with her sword and the Soror with her staff. The Soror’s staff buzzed with energy. Her opponent didn’t show fear despite the situation.

Malaika and the Soror were slowly sidestepping, waiting for an opening. Malaika lunged and tried to thrust, but the Soror dodged it and went off to the side of it. The Soror countered with a quick burst from her staff, connecting with Malaika. Malaika was temporality knocked to the ground. Pain and soreness flared on her left side. Malaika didn’t want to use her power to defeat the Soror. She would rely on her skill with a blade.

Malaika saw that Chaska was watching her fight. She gave him a look so as not to interfere. Malaika stood up and prepped another attack.

The Soror tried to attack her with another energy blast, but Malaika anticipated it and stepped in to avoid it. Malaika wanted to tie her opponent’s staff up with a flurry of thrusts, and with rapid precision, she whacked into the Soror’s staff, forcing her backward.

The Soror did well to keep enough space between them. Malaika decided to go for broke and rushed at her opponent. The Soror blocked every attempt, but Malaika timed a throw of her sword perfectly. It ran the Soror threw and dropped her to the ground.

Malaika pulled her sword out and finished the Soror off.

———-

Three sorors versus Olafur and his Master had been going on before the bears and wolves appeared. Even after the Army of Hanwi showed up, they were locked in a sword battle.

The Sorors had thought of escaping, but Rovan had set the trees on fire to discourage retreat on their enemy’s part.

For Olafur’s Master, this was an opportunity for training. Since reinforcements showed up, Rovan seemed to be half-trying. Instead of killing these three, he instructed Olafur as he moved.

“You see how I used an energy shield against superior numbers,” Rovan said.

Olafur wanted to laugh as he was pissing off the red robes.

“Don’t be afraid of using the shield for attack,” Rovan said, running at the Sorors and blocking their energy blast with an energy shield. At the last minute, Rovan broke off the attack.

“See how I could have moved in with killing strokes.” Rovan continued.

Olafur was behind the Sorors to prevent them from escaping. The sorors tried to attack Olafur, but he blocked them as well.

“Master, I think you’re being cruel,” Olafur said.

“Fine. Lessons over.”

A serious look came over his Master. A new focus filled his eyes. Rovan attacked the closest Soror so quickly that he blocked the staff to the left and kicked the red robe into the Soror behind her. Then he sliced open the stomach of the third. Rovan took no mercy on the ones he knocked into each other with killing thrusts. Olafur was thoroughly terrified to witness how lethal his Master was. It was like he had saved his best for the most formidable opponents.

“You killed those three Sorors so easily; where was all that before?” Olafur grilled him.

“Haven’t you heard it’s a marathon, not a sprint? I am human.”

“You mean old.”

“I still have enough for smart-aleck apprentices.”

“Is it over? The Hanwi Army and animal friends seemed to have taken care of things.”

“I think so.”

All the chariots and Calvary had fled the battlefield or were killed. The Army from Hanwi had stopped the retreating soldiers. Blood had turned many parts of the lake bed, as bears and wolves were feasting on dead bodies. Who was to tell them to stop? Olafur could barely look at the sight.

The Eastern side of the lake had been cracked open, and some trees were still on fire. All the fighting had stopped except for Thea and Malum. Olafur saw they were still battling two red robes.

“Should we go and help them?” Olafur asked, looking towards Malum.

“No. I sense they want to settle for themselves,” Rovan said. Let’s join the others and get some fires going for warmth. Once everyone’s adrenaline wears off, people will be freezing up.”

————

Malum recognized the red robe squaring off with him. It was Soror Dominus, the one who tortured Thea and killed his brother Kai. Thea was dealing with her red robe, but she could handle herself. Malum wanted Dominus all to himself.

Malum saw that the battle was over, and many others had started celebrating the victory. However, Malum couldn’t celebrate while Dominus lived. Many of the enemy had tried to flee, and he wondered why Dominus didn’t.

“Still here?” Malum quizzed and pointed his sword at the Soror.

“Why not?” Dominus responded.

Dominus pointed her staff at him as well. Their eyes were locked. Malum didn’t feel cold or notice his wet feet from the snow. Malum stepped slowly closer and closer to her. He wanted her head.

Malum thought of his rage and his anger. Flaero had said to use them to connect, but he could also use them in dueling. His emotions were running so high that he was grinding his teeth to soothe himself.

Malum thought he saw an opening, but Dominus caught him with a blast instead. Malum felt a trickle of liquid on his arm. He looked to see it was blood.

Malum had managed to stay on his feet, though. He made another attempt with a lunge and thrust, but again, she caught him. It wasn’t as bad this time, as he moved quickly to avoid it.

“I told you that I’d return the favor you did for my brother.” Malum gleefully said.

“His head did fly off ever so easily, didn’t it.” Dominus sneered.

They were both buying time for their next move.

“Did I mention what pleasure it gave me to torture the other one?” Dominus said, glancing in Thea’s direction, who had killed her foe and was watching them.

“That was a mistake bringing Thea into this,” Malum warned.

“I remember now, you like to make a lot of threats and then stand there impotently. You are a fool to think your anger will be enough to save you.”

Malum tried to strike a third time, but Dominus didn’t send a blast of energy this time. Instead, Malum was frozen in place. He could feel his throat being choked by an invisible hand. His airways were narrowing, and it was hard to breathe.

“How’s your anger now?” She spit at him. Dominus took Malum’s sword from him and stabbed him in the gut. His insides seared in pain. She pulled the sword out and threw it on the ground.

Malum tried to respond, but nothing came out. He knew he had to do something, but what? He couldn’t move.

Malum remembered he still had the amber stone he found in the mine in his pocket. If she could cause him pain by channeling, he could do it back at her. He needed to focus on his hate and physical pain as he had never before. Flaero had been right before, and he trusted it would work here.

Malum was on the verge of losing consciousness, which might have helped him get past his mental obstacles as everything became sharply focused.

His pain, his anger, and so much hate welled up in a torrent. Malum was able to clench his fists and found that she no longer had any control over him. He could breathe, but Malum lifted Dominus off the ground without touching her. Malum was the one choking her with his power. Malum reached for his sword on the ground. Simultaneously, he let her drop and swung his sword. Dominus’s head rolled and bounced on the frozen ground.

Malum fell to the ground. Thea came running to his side. She was tending to his wounds. Malum’s arm wound, and she used a ripped shirt to stop his bleeding. As for his abdomen wound, Thea placed the sword over it; the piece of O element fixed in the handle was directly over it. Thea began saying prayers. Malum could feel a different kind of pain coming from the wound. His body felt hot all over, and the next thing he knew, his gut wound was closing. Malum closed his eyes.

———-

Many fires were burning, and many bodies sat close around them. The enemy was comprehensively defeated. Malaika was converseing with the Qamatans. Change and Apollyon were with her Father, the King of Hanwi. Elisapie and Gaia had disappeared into a tent, but the noises gave away what they were doing. Rovan and Olafur were off by their fire, looking positively miserable because of the cold.

Malum and Thea held each other under a blanket and talked with Flaero. To be fair, Flaero did most of the talking. Malum thought Gaia and Elisapie had the right idea.

Thea was the best healer among them and used her power to tend Malum’s wound. He still felt pain and sensitivity where Dominus had stabbed him, but some rations had picked him up enough. He was trying to stay awake, holding Thea made him resist. Flaero wasn’t helping any.

“We’ve achieved victory for Qamata, but it won’t mean anything unless we continue the fight. We must go to the Capital, to Dhara. Tsar Miro is still there. Until we have him, it will never be over.” Flaero continued blabbering on.

Everyone had already agreed to this plan, but it seemed it was all on Flaero’s mind.

“My friend, the King of Hanwi, has already pledged his troops and ships to the cause. The bears and wolves may have returned to wherever they came from, but everyone else is with you,” Malum said, hoping this would end the conversation.

“Yes, but I have the perfect strategy. After we meet up with the Elysium in Kwento, we sail for Dhara.” Flaero went on like he didn’t hear Malum.

“All the combined forces will meet in Dhara. There will be plenty of time to go over the details.” Malum is tired again and wants to change subjects. I might find a tent and get some rest.”

“I’ll join you,” Thea said.

“Oh, you’re right. I’m sorry. I’m still buzzing from the battle. I’ll find a tent later,” Flaero said, looking disappointed. Malum looked to see someone from Hanwi sit next to Flaero. He felt bad for the lad; Flaero was about to talk his ear off.

As Thea and Malum were walking, they both heard the sound of a horse. Malum thought nothing of it, but it brought Thea to sharp attention. In curiosity, she tracked down where the noise had come from while Malum followed.

“Morgan! I can’t believe it’s you.” Thea shouted in excitement. “Stully and Nax, you’re here too.”

Malum was in disbelief. It was Thea’s horses that he had to abandon at the first battle of Teodor. It was indeed a wonder.

Had they been captured and used in battle by the Black Legion or just happened to stay in the area? Did they pick up Thea’s sent? All these questions raced in Malum’s head as Thea caught up with the only pieces of her home left. It was best not to question it and move on.

The battle had been one; Qamata was free. The next day, they marched on Ishvara and its Tsar.