Trojian Horse

Flames engulfed they touched, spreading into the forest as the battle raged on. Despite all they had done, the tide of the battle had swung the way of the Dracien. All around them was the sound of metal clanging against metal, laser guns being fired at close range, the smell of singed flesh, fine droplets of blood hung like a cloud in the air and Hethios could taste it with each breath he took in. There was no realistic possibility of them achieving victory now but Hethios thought that if he got to Reeger and somehow managed to kill him, the war would be over. The lack of a leader would be the final blow to the dracien ambition of galactic domination.

He did not have far to go. A circle of Dracien had formed around Reeger, tossing disarmed and maimed Vulpeculae into the circle for Reeger to finish off in his own particularly sadistic way. The scene incensed Hethios and before could think rationally, he was charging in Reeger’s direction screaming his name and challenging him to a duel to the death. At Reeger’s signal, the Dracien immediately stopped their attack and scrambled backwards opening the way for Reeger to approach Hethios, forming an arena around them. Fighters kept dropping out of the sky all around them but Hethios could hear nothing but the sound of his own heart thumping within him. He wondered what he was doing.

“We meet again old friend,” Reeger said with a smile on his face. “See how glorious it is?”

Reeger spread his hands up and turned looking at all the carnage that surrounded them.

“You will die today, if it is the last thing I do,” Hethios said with his fists on all four hands clenched tightly.

“No, no, it is you who will die today! You have cheated death long enough!” Reeger stepped up to Hethios who stood rooted to the spot suddenly aware of the imposing size of Reeger. Roue was right, Reeger had changed somehow. His appearance seemed to be a combination of many things that all added together to make something more menacing than anything he had ever encountered before.

“Let us duel now and see who will take Trojian,” Hethios said a lot softer this time.

“I will duel you, and I will destroy your beloved…Trojian. I will burn it to the ground till there is nothing left that breathes or moves.”

Reeger enjoyed seeing the pained expressions on Hethios’ face. He had been waiting a long time to inflict this kind of pain on Hethios.

“Very well,” Hethios answered.

“No, I will duel him,” Reinon blurted out.

“No, this is my fight,” Hethios answered.

“Let me regain my honour Hethios. I have been training a long time for this very thing. If I fail, then I will die with honour,” she said.

“I will duel the both of you,” Reeger said laughing. “It doesn’t really matter to me how you do only that you do. Today. You will feel my justice.”

“Justice?! What do you know of justice?” asked Hethios incensed by Reeger’s cavalier attitude. “You murder innocents and you call that justice?”

“And you know justice do you? When our planet was being destroyed was there justice then? Did any one of you come to save us? No, it was me. I saved them all and we have done what is necessary to survive.”

“There is a better way than thi--”

“Take your punishment with some dignity,” Reeger shouted taking a broad sword from one of the Dracien soldier’s and tossing it to Hethios. All around him the fighting had ceased and all attention had turned to them. Above them though the battle between the fighters raged on. “Reinon, you may come too. I will be taking that sword back from you momentarily.”

Hethios picked up the broad sword as he and Reinon stood side by side preparing for the fight for their lives. He cast a look at Reinon as if to ask her if she were ready to which she simply nodded. They shouted a war cry in unison as they rushed forward their swords lifted above their heads, ready to strike. Reeger stood watching them as they came at him then laughed out loud as he raised his battle axe and swiftly charged toward the duo.