BOOK 2/72 - A King's Hope III

Ring - 1st
Realm - SOL

Hellion glared at the rust red skies. He didn't understand what he was seeing. Or he did but it still shouldn't have made sense to him. The Titan sighed and turned to his comrades. “We should hurry.

The rest cast glances his way from their positions with Stryder nodding. “Yes, let’s get going, we’ve wasted enough time coming here as it is,” Thorin nodded as well. Facing Mera, he began laying out instructions.

“Mera, you’ll carry me east to the Urat Kingdom, Stryder get Hellion to the Auric Dominion down west, Blaze you go to the Pyrsion Kingdom, Stryder head south to the Cinderii once you drop Hellion and Mera you've got the…” He paused and turned to Hellion. " What did you call them again?”

"Iralians. Iralos."

Thorin nodded at the reply. “You heard him. Let's go."

"What of Horkirk?” Stryder nodded to the golem standing next to her.

“I think he should stay here and guard the Monument." Hellion advised.

“From what?" Stryder gave him a look.

“Well, we don't know exactly what…” The six entities stumbled as the ground shook. Everyone caught themselves and glared at the ground.

"Everyone move!” Blaze shouted the next moment, turning sharply to Stryder. Mera grabbed Horkirk and leaped, igniting mid jump and flying higher. Hellion flash stepped backwards clearing from the center.

Stryder arms stretched, grabbed the two Hulking brutes on either side of her and blurred backwards.

The ground exploded, rocks, fiery sand and heat spreading out.

Whatever was happening didn't stop there as the ground shook again.

Thorin already had his domain coating his hammer while Stryder had her daggers out. Up in the sky, Mera held Horkirk with an arm around his torso while a ball of Solar Energy grew from her right palm.

Hellion and Blaze remained the only two who hadn't pulled their weapons. One due to his Portfolio to see anything and the other due to the sense within the earth of something familiar.

Hellion looked confused as he stared into the settling dust while Blaze took a step forward, then several steps. His lack of chains made the others give him a look as it was clear he wasn't ready for a fight.

Before they could query him though something within moved. It was fast and strong enough to dispel the dust clouding it.

There, with merely an eyeless head peeking out of the ground the Great Worm stared Thorin down.

“Isn't that…” Confused, Stryder glanced to Thorin who nodded.

"It's the same worm that took us to Ishtra."

"Yeah. But why is it here?” She frowned.

As if to answer the question it moved. Both fast and slow, gliding like an Eastern dragon over the earth till it reached Blaze.

“It's attacking Blaze!" Mera drew back her ball of condensed Solar energy and flung it down.

Blaze’s right hand shot out. A chain shooting out like a missile and colliding with the ball of energy midway.

The explosion and shockwave obliterated the ground or would have. The Titans were flung away. Thorin grabbed Stryder as they flew off. Mera burned brighter as she held herself from being blown too far and Hellion was thrown away.

The chain rolled back and around his wrist as Blaze kept his eyes on the Worm. It has woven itself around him and stopped the shockwave and explosion from harming the Titan.

Blaze said nothing, simply staring as the Worm lay on the ground, head right in front of him. They both stared at each other for a good moment while the Titans dragged themselves back.

Turning to them he nodded. “She's safe."

“You could have said that before I threw my attack." Mera growled. Blaze shrugged.

“Alright, but what's happening?"

A roar echoed from the skies. Everyone’s head, even the Worm, moved upwards. They saw nothing but rust red skies. Then a speck in the clouds.

“What the hell is Ignis doing here?" Hellion blurted. The speck suddenly grew into a familiar dragon roaring as it dove down for them.

“Is it coming to attack us or…” Stryder fingered her short swords while Mera flew out of the dragon's way.

The dragon shot overhead. Its wings flapped harshly as it caught itself. It didn't glide or turn, simply landing on its hind legs and then turning as it hit the ground on its front legs.

The long serpentine neck turned, its head glaring down on the group. Slowly it prowled forward.

Before it could do whatever it was here to do a screech rang from above. The dragon audibly sighed and just sat eyeing the group.

Confused as to what was going on, everyone stared up as a fiery winged creature descended.

“Ishtra. It's Ishtra." Stryder jumped and waved.

“We don't know if they're here to attack us woman." Thorin scolded.

“Oh." She stopped jumping.

Ishtra dove down before flapping fast and catching the wind to land on her legs right behind Hellion. The Titan gripped his sword but stayed still.

"What the fuck is happening?” Mera questioned.

The creatures ignored her. Ishtra brought her head low to butt against Hellion's chest.

“You’re a Phoenix. Act like the dignified beast you are!" Ignis shouted. The dragon clearly looked annoyed.

“Oh shut it Ignis.” The feminine voice echoed from the burning bird. "You know it's an honor. Stop acting like you're not excited.”

“Hmph." The dragon snorted.

"It's simple really. While you're Titans, you'll need all the help you can get to end this fight quickly.” Horkirk was the one who spoke up from Mera's grip.

"And they're here to help?" Stryder asked, excitement lighting up in her eyes.

“The golem is already helping. Why can't we?" Ishtra answered.

Stryder leaped forward with a grin, her arms outstretched and her body blurring as she tossed herself at Ishtra.

The Phoenix raised her neck and sidestepped the Titaness with ease. Stryder came to a halt behind her.

“Did she just dodge me?" She shook her head. Turning to the bird she frowned. “What? Why did you move?"

Ishtra shook her head as Ignis huffed again.

“You can't ride me as much as you can't ride the Great Worm”

Stryder blinked brightly. "Then who am I riding?”

All the creatures looked away.

"Wait. All of you handed off a domain to each of us. You're not complete.”

"You did slay the Burning Colossus." Ignis wagged his tail.

“On your direction." Hellion pointed out.

“You directed them to slay the Colossus?" Ishtra boomed, flames brightening and rising.

“What?"

Her flames died down with a sigh and she turned her head to Hellion. “We do not have time for this. Climb. The little thieves are dying off.”

"Wait, wait." Mera descended. “And who am I meant to ride?"

“I believe you both are to ascertain who gets me." Horkirk spoke.

The two girls glared at each other. Eyes narrowed and squinting.

“Oh come on. Stryder you're literally faster than anything, probably in existence. Mera you have the literal power of the sun and sky. One of you should decide." Hellion frowned.

“Heads or tails." Stryder blurted. Mera furrowed her eyes in confusion.

“Heads?"

“Hellion. Coin." Stryder raised her hand to the Titan who sighed and formed a coin from his light and star fire condensing it so it was real.

Taking it, Stryder turned it to see there was a sun image on one side and a tree on the other. “Nice."

“You're the sun and I'm the tree." She showed the coin and then flipped it as Mera shrugged.

Seven pairs of eyes watched the golden white coin spin midair and descend. It hit the ground and nearly blended into the fiery sand but fortunately Hellion could see it.

“Sun."

Stryder groaned and Mera jumped, punching the air. Turning to Horkirk she smiled wide. “What now?"

Raising a large stone arm, Mera gripped it. She frowned as her essence was tugged from within her and into the golem. “What…”

Horkirk blazed with solar energy then slowly floated up into the air.

"That's just awesome," Hellion muttered.

"Let's go guys. Same locations but on your own now. Let's move,” Thorin turned to Ignis and just stared. The dragon huffed and lay down.

Smiling, the Titan hurried up the scales of the dragon and slid into place between its neck and body. He felt the same thing as Mera did instantly.

His essence was drawn and poured into the dragon. Ignis cocked his head as he noticed the swelling. Quickly it rose, a leg now twice the size it should have been. Then with flaps to balance, it spun and rushed across the land. With every step it grew larger.

By the time it flapped to leave the ground its wings were so large it forced the earth out, the wind from mere flaps tearing out stone.

Then it was streaking through the air and above the clouds.

"Damn. It's huge now." Mera muttered as she stared up at the sky.

Blaze wordlessly looked down to his ride and without a word climbed up to its head. The worm let out a rattling screech as Essence flooded its body. With a pivot it dug into the earth.

“What about them?" Stryder asked Hellion who looked to where she was pointing.

“We've already given the orders." He nodded to them and Stryder watched in shock as those belonging to Thorin and Blaze moved.

“Don't stop running. We don't know how dangerous the enemy is." He warned.

Nodding she stepped back as he climbed the Phoenix. Ishtra stood on both hind legs and spread out her wings as her blazing fire turned from red and gold to a pure incandescent white.

Then with a flap she ascended.

“Like he said." Mera patted her shoulder. “Don't stop running.” The energy around her burned brighter and she streaked into the sky, Horkirk following after a nod to Stryder.

“If I don't get one, I'll make one myself." Nodding at her idea, she turned to the direction she was meant to go.

"Don't stop running eh.” She looked back and eyed hers and Hellion's little project. “Keep up"

With a crackle of gold she vanished her blur barely seen as she tore through the Wyrm's Cross. Racing up the side of the tunnels and leaping off the gigantic rocks they'd passed on the way in.

Pushing herself to go faster the air around her detonated as she rocketed forward. In what would have been the blink of an eye, she dashed past a squad of Soldiers.

“What was that?" They glanced at each other and their surroundings, suspicious of the sudden blast of air that nearly toppled them.

"Probably the weather.”

"Keep an eye open.”

****

Steam rose from Aargish's body, blinding him as he fought relentlessly. The blood of his enemies soaked his armor and clothing while the heat from his body tried to dry it. The amount pouring on him as he slashed, cut and impaled didn't help him.

Parrying the horn strike of another animal, he spun, caught his motion with a stomp of his heel and swung his sword down. The beast didn't lose its head but the cut was enough to send it to Fayheim.

A roar from the side drew his eyes to his King, eyes fixed on him as he ducked another creature. His axes were steaming just like Aargish's armor. The blood of the slain burn000⁰⁰⁰0/ed off as the azure flames swept through the axes and the field.

Aargish turned fast in a spin, his sword flashing out and bisecting the beast he'd dodged.

His eyes moved from the falling pieces to the field strewn with body parts, armor, weapons and blood. The distraction cost him. He felt the sound, body tearing through wind. Felt the claws as they dug into his back. He could barely react, barely turn, barely move his sword. The force of the hit sent him flying, claws ripping through his armor and skin.

Colliding into another squad of soldiers backing each other up, sending everyone flying in different directions.

Aargish felt the pain on his back blooming. Red fumes leaking from the claw marks on his back. Hurrying to his feet he eyed his surroundings. The men he'd scattered were fending off the creatures swarming them.

Before he could move to help them, the beast which sent him flying pounced. Aargish moved, offering his arm as he shouldered the creature. Flames licked up his blade and with a slash a wave of fire swept out, colliding with the beast and cutting it in two.

Aargish exhaled. Unlike most would think, drawing on one's Essence weakened the body. And unlike their King, none could draw on Essence from the cores of the slain fast enough to maintain active use.

Aargish still went on with it, his fingers fumbling in the pouch as he drained what he could while keeping an eye on the chaotic battlefield.

Soldiers threw waves of flames at the incoming tide and retreated to rest and draw on essence while the second line came forward to brace. Gillidad was in the center of beasts, his axe cutting and burning foes. The Royal guards were either assisting each other, the soldiers or were scattered fighting on their own like Aargish.

He could see the bodies of some who had fallen. Sighing, he raised his sword pointing it to the sky and grasped it with two palms. While he'd not gotten enough Essence, he didn't have time to rest.

The beasts rushing straight at him were a problem. With a snarl he leaped forward and swung. There was no fire in his attack, just a brutal swing that took heads and split bodies.

Ferociously, he cut through the tide and pushed inwards. His feet moved barely touching the ground, each step, each twist setting him into sharp spins that faced all directions when needed. His hands moved in different standard directions, his wrists flicking to increase or reduce the strength of his cuts.

Gillidad was a maelstrom of death and fire. His axes formed spinning blades that burned and diced his foes. Blood barely managed to splash before it dried. What didn't burn before it touched him burnt off his axe and armor as he faught.

His Flame has ignored even his armor as he moved like the incarnate of death. Yet it wasn’t enough. The more he fought, the less his people had to face and yet there were just too many of them.

The parts and corpses he could see enraged him further each time he spotted one. The sight snuffing his hope each time he saw it.

Each time, he reminded himself that the city stood and that was what mattered. Each time a cry of pain echoed from behind him, he reminded himself that there was nothing he could do.

The Tide was so thick and numerous that even after countless kills he was not even close to the Colossus that lumbered forward.

The swarms above were falling thanks to the ranged attacks from those standing back. But some of them managed to skip past. Gillidad focused, his axes coming down to dig into the neck of a beast from both sides of its neck.

Gillidad knew that compared to his soldiers, he lacked the skill but had the power to make up for it. Unfortunately, it meant that they could only fight for as long as their skill allowed.

Something landed on him burdening him with its weight. With a sharp backwards head swing his helmet crushed its face.

Turning as it fell to the ground, Gillidad brought his axe down on what was a six legged feline. Flames swept over its body killing it instantly. Staggering backwards in fatigue and falling to a knee, Gillidad tried to catch his breath. An attempt that failed as soon as he tried with the creatures not giving him breathing room.

Backing up and swinging out Azure flames in all directions, Gillidad could see the end. There were just too many of them. They were not even giving him the chance to draw on the Essence cores anymore.

With a bellow, he stomped the earth. Azure fire swept out in all directions burning everything trying to get to him.

Throughout the battle, Gillidad had made sure to keep his senses open to the rumbling coming from the three Colossus heading their way. An action that wasn't as easy as he expected with hordes of beasts trying to kill him.

So with the shaking and bouncing ground beneath him, he failed to notice the difference until his shadow grew taller before him.

Three Colossus stood over him, his body barely reaching their heels. Two were to the far right and like the one directly above him were wreathed in fire. Made of Fire.

Gillidad felt the weakness in his Flames suddenly grow. The Hope he held unto with a tight grip escaping. ‘There’s no winning this.’

Even if he could, the consequences of trying to kill it was unacceptable. He was the main defense against the Tide for his people. Unless he could fell this thing with a single strike and focus on the horde once more, then his people would suffer from his distraction.

Worse if he let them pass, his people would die and then the city would fall.

Even if he fought one, there were two more. Grabbing Essence cores, he drained them as fast as he could. Azure fire licked up his armor and axes. Quickly they grew, brightening and getting hotter.

He moved. Dashing forward he leaped and smashed his axe into the Colossus’ ankle, pumping as much Azure Flame into the strike as possible.

BOOOM!

The collision detonated and the burst sent him flying backwards and digging into the earth. The Colossus halted and glared down at its legs. Seeing nothing it looked back ahead and kept stomping forward.

Gillidad threw a corpse off him. Rising, he evaded another beast, slaying it before it could attack again. Cutting in a wave, his flame created a buffer for him. Enough time for him to glare at the Colossus.

‘Its like I thought. I can't defeat it.’ Scanning the battlefield, the dead, the soldiers fighting, the armies still stationed behind and then his city Gillidad felt his dread rise.

“We failed," Gillidad sighed looking down at his axes. "I failed.”