Shield of Fire

A/N: This chapter includes a murder scene, so if you don't want to read it you can skip about the first half of this chapter (before the dialogue begins). Otherwise, enjoy!

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As they walk through the tunnel, Tadal’s mind feels clouded. The master wants to communicate. His vision gets trapped in a veil of mist as the dark corridor – with Crini a few steps in front holding her torch – vanishes from view. When the image becomes clear again, the cold stone walls of the fortress in Gremos peak appear in front of him, particularly the great hall.

As his vision gets clearer he sees the back of a woman wearing a hilariously puffy dress.

Mother.

The sound is faint, Tadal tries to concentrate but he cannot hear much. Queen Tesfira says something to someone standing in front of her and he assumes is General Tolm. For a second there’s nothing but silence but the air charges with the dreading feeling of doom. All of a sudden, a mix of sounds resonates. First, the sound of something metal being dragged out of its sheath. Then a gasp, followed by a thick sound of slicing flesh. And last, a thud as Queen Tesfira’s head detaches from the rest of her body, dropping to the side, moments before her body collapses on the ground in front of the throne.

As the obstacle called Queen Tesfira lies lifeless on the cold stones, the image of General Tolm appears, the sword still at hand, hanging on his side. His eyes are completely dark, there’s no iris. Just pure darkness. Leaning above the queen’s body, he grabs a piece from her dress and slides his sword on the fabric, wiping away the blood. The general takes a few steps descending the throne. Even the echo of his steps could make someone tremble with fear.

Tadal should have intervened, but there is no physical substance in the spirit realm. He just stands and watches. General Tolm stands in front of the late Queen Tesfira’s head. True horror is depicted on her face. Mouth fell open, eyes so wide they will pop out of their sockets, now she sees in the direction of Prince Tadal. Taking a foot off the ground, the general lands his boot on top of her head.

“The former fallen queen has made a mistake which has been paid with her life.” His voice booms so loud in the empty room. But this time, his voice is not human. The general does not have that voice when he visited him. No, the demon was speaking directly to him from the pits of his kingdom of doom. “I did my bid, now is your turn to honour the agreement. Fail and you shall receive the same reward.”

“Yes, master.” Tadal’s voice highlights the contrast between the two. Before he manages to say anything else, the general nods and clouds block his view. When they clear, he’s back on the tunnel with Crini. They weren’t talking for a while so it’s unlikely to have noticed anything.

As they keep walking in silence, Tadal’s mind races faster than the speed of light. Images resurface behind his eyes as he recalls the recent week or so.

Since the moment his late mother and fallen queen of Anive had announced his participation in the tournament, Tadal was furious. No matter how many times they fought, her word was the law. But he hadn’t such intention to obey it. That was the last drop. He would find a way to overrule her. It was about time to get what he deserved.

After spending the night with Ada, the morning had found them a mess of tangled limbs in deep conversation.

“You’re going to overthrow the Queen?” Ada’s voice had pinched when he’d announced his intention. “For a tournament?”

Letting a puff of air out of his lungs Tadal turned to face her. “This tournament is a death wish and the queen sends me only because she cannot refuse to follow the stupid traditions.” He’d spat with disgust. “I’ll do anything to prevent this.”

And so he did. Calling for an audience with General Tolm off the records, he waited patiently until the time had come. Getting into artificial lithium, he’d been transported to the fortress. At first, he was disgusted with all the malice and disintegrated creatures – that had forgotten to remain dead – lurking in the dark corridors but determination was boiling within, giving him strength. If someone else could do it for me, why dip my hands in blood?

The result? Forming an agreement with General Tolm. A deal with the devil. Although the general was sceptical at first to come to terms with him in providing his help, he couldn’t deny the fact that Prince Tadal was the best fighter in the whole Anive. And Aniveans were the manpower that once had stood against him.

There was another thing too. The Prince’s thirst for immortality. He could see it from miles away, shining behind his eyes. A fire slowly burning. And so the deal was done. General Tolm would get Queen Tesfira out of the way and he will automatically become immortal, with Anive under his control and Ada by his side. And the general would have gained a young and skilled fighter, loyal to him for eternity. He had to play his part right and enter the tournament at least until everything was settled.

However, things had slightly changed. The general communicated with him as they were wandering through the desert, to inform him about his new task. Surrender Crini to him, alive. Sounded like an easy task for him. Ada had followed him, submitting for the tournament as well once he had explained the plan to her. However, he may have forgotten to mention that immortality only worked for him. But for now, he could use some extra hands in his mission. Ezpa was a blind follower of his. The fact that his sister had a secret affair with him was filling him with pride. Stupid peasants…

They had no idea that their path with him would end before he marches to his glory. The plan to split the three of them was just a stupid trick that was unbelievable how easily had worked on them. After they’d get out of the mountain, he’d grab Crini and escape, making sure everyone else stays buried within the mountain.

With the last image of the queen’s death, his lips part revealing a sinister smile as he walks into the darkness. Before the floor collapses.