He found himself in a familiar place. He swam to the surface of the fiery lake, breaking free from its stifling prison. He looked up to see a giant temple burning down to ashes. The roaring flames combusted suddenly, sending a massive column crashing into the lake below. The wave of fire pushed Raden below the surface once again. His body spun around uncontrollably, completely losing his orientation. He couldn’t fight it, so he let go, allowing the fiery water to take him where it wanted to. The wave finally washed over him, giving Raden a brief moment of clarity and the chance to refocus. He made his way back to the lake’s surface and could now clearly see Carhay burning around him. The Grand Temple of the One, peeling apart once again. Villagers, faces he once knew as a child, running for their lives, snapping tendrils of fire closing in on them. The faster they ran, the faster the fire gained in speed, catching them and drowning them in its overwhelming power.
Raden noticed a shadowy figure off in the distance, high above the mountains. He focused in on him, remembering vividly the moment he had seen him as a child. Unexpectedly, though, Carhay began to transform, and Sargatum loomed high above him now. But all around him, he still heard the shrill cries of villagers trying to escape. The fiery images of the villagers ran past him, some even through him as they cried out for help. Raden looked up and at the top of Sargatum, the shadowy figure remained. He stood still and silent, seemingly reluctant to participate in the chaos. Was it reluctance or doubt that restrained him? No, Raden knew immediately why he had remained distant. It was regret. Regret that lingers in your heart, saturated by years of guilt, growing into a burden so heavy that not a night goes by without reminding you of what you’ve done. How could I?
A familiar voice called out in Raden’s mind. But you did not kill them, child.
“How am I innocent of this atrocity?” Raden spoke out loud.
The One answered back. Because, child, you gave them the chance to flee.
“It didn’t matter! None of it mattered! They were innocent, and I… killed them.”
You didn’t kill—
“I KILLED ALL OF THEM!” Raden slammed his head into his palms. The tears poured down in between his fingers, down the backs of his hands, bathing his forearms with salty bitterness. “I killed all of them… all of them…” Raden squeezed his eyes shut, gritting his teeth tightly. “Poppa… Momma… I should’ve saved them. I didn’t keep my whole family together. I didn’t do enough.”
Child.
“And then… Kara. I watched her die… and I couldn’t do a thing to stop it!” Raden pressed his head against the ground, slamming his fist into it. “I’m so sorry, Kara. I’m so sorry…”
Raden. A voice called out to him softly, but this wasn’t the voice of the One. A tender hand, glowing faintly with subdued flames, touched Raden’s chin, lifting his head gently off the ground. The burning village surrounding Raden dissipated, a single figure kneeled before him now. You didn’t kill me, Raden. You didn’t kill your parents.
“Kara…”
Her entire body glowed softly with white fire; she looked heavenly. She placed her hand over Raden’s chest. Let it go, Raden. It’s not your fault. None of it is your fault.
Raden placed his hand over hers. The warmth of her body pervaded into his.
You were only a child, Raden. There’s nothing you could’ve done to save your parents. But you keep the memory of them alive through Kimi. You’ve done everything they’ve asked, and you’ve done it beautifully. That’s why I fell in love with you. Kara tenderly cupped her hands around Raden’s face.
“It’s not fair… all of you should still be here. It’s been so hard without you.”
I miss you, too, Raden, but it was my time to rejoin the One. You have to know that there’s nothing you could’ve done to save me. None of us could’ve stopped the beast. Combined we were still no match. You didn’t kill me, Raden… the beast did. She caressed the hair out of his eyes.
Raden stared deep into her eyes, grasping her hand tightly. “How could I kill—”
And you didn’t kill the villagers either. You gave them a chance to flee. More than you were given when your family was taken from you. They fled into the arms of their own people, and were betrayed. You couldn’t have known that would happen. Do not burden your heart with guilt for what you are innocent of. Wash your hands clean of these troubles that haunt you. You have been given a chance to do great things for our people, Raden. The One has chosen you. Focus your mind, and remember your true mission, for your people, your family, for me.
Raden thought about Kara’s words. Perhaps she was right. He had never been able to truly forgive himself, but he finally allowed the truth of her words to sink in. They took hold within his soul, and he could feel the guilt begin to wash away. None of it is my fault. The warmth of her touch began to set his mind at ease.
We will be together again someday, when the One decides to call you home. Until then, I will always be watching over you. Kara held him close, gently kissing him. But for now, it is time for you to return. Remember your mission, Raden. She let go of him, her body radiating more brilliantly than before. She illuminated brighter and brighter, blinding Raden, forcing him to cover his eyes. In a flash she disappeared, and Raden once again kneeled before Sargatum. Every soldier stared at him wearily.
General Sako watched the blazing inferno that had engulfed Raden slowly die down, until all she could see was Raden, kneeling on the ground, smoke sizzling off his body, still as ever.
She approached him cautiously. “Raden?”
He stared at her, this time acknowledging her question. “I’m sorry about that, General Sako. I’m… fine.” Raden tried to get up, but his body was still drained.
“You should remain back. It appears you are done for now. The army will take it from here. Besides, I cannot afford to lose you in the melee. You are too vulnerable in your weakened condition. You may be endowed with the One’s powers, but you still are human, and thus mortal. Remain here until the battle is over.”
Raden knew he was too exhausted for battle, so he heeded General Sako’s words, nodding his head slightly, acquiescing to her order. She promptly left him, advancing into the melee. Raden watched General Sako lead the charge down the center. Major Brok, whose sheer size made him easy to spot from a distance, led the charge up the left side, while Captain Symin took the right. Symin spotted Raden staying back.
“Don’t worry, youngblood, it’ll be over before you know it!”
Major Brok was the first to make it up the ladder and into the base. His stone gloves wiped away multiple Vicedonian soldiers at a time. Five soldiers jumped onto his back in an attempt to wrestle him to the ground. Brok tossed two of them out of the castle, while he smashed the other three into the ground. Approaching soldiers witnessed his incredible strength and quickly turned around. Brok picked up a large piece of debris and hurled it across the hallway, knocking the soldiers to the ground. He made his way down the hallway, chasing down more Vicedonian troops. They weaved left and right, but Brok was quick for his size and kept pace with them. He cornered the soldiers against a demolished staircase. Brok lowered his shoulders and charged. Before he got close enough, the ceiling above him caved in, and an enormous weight pinned him to the ground. The Vicedonian soldiers took the opportunity to run around the debris and escaped down the hallway. Brok tried to get up, but felt someone’s foot pressing down against his chest. Whoever it was, was exceptionally strong.
“You’re a big fella, aren’t ya? Finally someone worthy of challenging me.” Titan stomped on Brok’s chest again, sending him crashing through the floor and landing on the level below. Titan jumped down and examined the pile of newly formed rubble. He was kicking away a large piece of stone when Brok suddenly grabbed a hold of his leg and swung him around, smashing him into the wall. Titan reached for his hammer and swung at Brok’s head, but Brok blocked the blow with his stone gloves. They swung, parried, and blocked back and forth, neither giant able to gain a signific
ant advantage.
“You’re good, but my people say I am born from the Creator and his family,” shouted Titan.
“Your many gods mean nothing to me. The One is the only true god in this world.”
Brok charged Titan, tackling him down a flight of steps. The two behemoths tumbled down the large staircase, battering each other in the process. They landed in a heap of rubble, and Titan picked up Brok and bodyslammed him head-first into the ground. Titan stepped back and landed a powerful kick that sent Brok crashing into the massive iron chandelier above the room. Brok, shaken but not deterred, stood up and charged again. Titan flung his hammer at the chandelier, the sharpened blade on the backside of the hammer severing the chain. The giant chandelier landed atop Brok before he could react, burying him several feet into the ground.
Titan waited this time before approaching. Nothing seemed to move at all. Titan crept his way over to his hammer, carefully picking it up while never losing sight of the chandelier. He could see Brok’s stone hand jutting out from beneath the rubble, still and lifeless. Titan relaxed a bit, settling into his victory. He turned to make his way up the stairs when the steps suddenly shattered apart. Brok grabbed Titan by the throat and punched him so hard in the chest that Titan went flying through the next two rooms. Brok walked over to pick up his stone glove, fitting it snugly onto his left hand.
“This fight is far from over, blasphemer.”
General Sako was steadily making her way up to the top. Where the stairs and hallways became convoluted, she simply improvised by using her incredible athletic ability. Leaping from one balcony to the next railing, and up to higher ground. She flipped herself up to the level above and saw her path obstructed by twelve Vicedonian soldiers. They spread out and completely surrounded her. She counted them out, studying their weapons and movements. Their body language revealed how intimidating she could be, arms shaking, fidgety feet, and the nervous sound of metal rattling against metal. Her reputation for violence indeed preceded her.
She lowered herself into a ready stance and nodded for them to attack. They knew better than to attack her one by one; there was no chance in such a tactic. Intel on General Sako suggested that they needed to attack her at once, in hopes of landing a blow she did not see coming.
“We attack together!” One of the soldiers, presumably the highest ranking one, called out. They circled her a bit longer before they began the assault. As they closed in on her, she swung Reaver a full three hundred sixty degrees around her body. The wind generated by the move knocked all twelve soldiers off their feet. She leapt over to four of them and swung once, bifurcating all of them instantly. She dug the shaft of Reaver into the ground, vaulting over the blades of the next four soldiers, and swung again; this time all four lost their legs. As the last four charged her, she sliced across all of their swords, shattering them in half. As they stood there stunned by her power, she twirled to her right, sending the bladed edge of Reaver across all four of their necks. In four swings she had defeated twelve enemies. Still, she thought that took too long. She turned the corner of the next hallway, and saw Prince Aric running up a staircase. Her black pupils widened excitedly before she pursued her next target.
Captain Symin made his way through the right side of the castle with his Howler squad behind him. Most of the enemies that approached did not last long, the Howler squad making short work of them. Symin had just become an officer when he discovered Raden on the streets. Perhaps it was Raden’s circumstances, or the fact that he reminded Symin of his own younger brother who had passed away in childhood that made Symin reach out a helping hand. Symin protected and advised Raden, keeping him on the right track. Raden always looked up to Symin and his Howler squad. They were a special division gathered from all the tribes. The best of the best, an elite fighting force. They were called upon for the most difficult missions because they never seemed to fail. Symin’s leadership and discipline commanded respect from his team, and from everyone else.
Raden felt fortunate to have come under the watchful eye of Symin and thanked the One for placing him with such a person. Raden dreamt about becoming a member of the Howler squad, but Symin never supported the idea. He knew somehow that Raden would amount to more. There was resilience in him that Symin admired. Perhaps Raden would even command his own squad someday. Even Raden couldn’t believe that Symin knew he would be destined to become a Candidate, though. Raden always obeyed his superiors and followed his orders without question, but he only truly respected a few of them. General Yagar and Captain Symin had affected his life in such positive ways. Symin constantly had a smile on his face. He was popular with the ladies and always ready to provide his witty insights. He spiked his hair into small horns and always managed to have a toothpick in his mouth. Even in the midst of battle he somehow never lost that toothpick.
Symin followed the stairs that directed them downwards. He knew it was the wrong direction, but figured he’d clean out the bottom floors first before making his way up. They reached the bottom-most level when they heard a deep hissing sound. It first came from the left, then immediately behind them. Suddenly, the hissing noise was coming from every direction. The Howlers clumped together, back-to-back, waiting for the source to reveal itself.
“You launch a cowardly sneak attack against my castle and believe you will leave this place alive?” The voice seemed to come from below, which made no sense since they were already at the bottom.
“Show yourself!” Symin called out. “And if you could make that annoying hissing sound stop, I’d greatly appreciate that, too.” Symin’s sarcasm did not go over well. From beneath them, the ground erupted and up came two giant lizards. They were chained together, and atop of them stood Major Kymon.
“So that’s what caused the hissing sound. Makes sense now. Still annoying, though,” Symin quipped, while chewing on his toothpick.
“Joke all you want, you horny haired freak, but my lizards are hungry. Romulus, Remus, attack!”
The two lizards swiped, clawed, and snapped at the Howlers. The Howlers fanned out across the room, taking up positions from every angle and level. They definitely showed why they were the best of the best. Symin remained at the bottom level, egging on the lizards, further enraging Major Kymon. The Howlers loosed arrows and threw daggers and shurikens from all directions, impaling the two lizards across their bodies, but to little effect. The lizards’ skins were thick, harder than even their own steel armor. Romulus swiped away the arrows out of Remus’ skin, and vice a versa. The two lizards were smarter than they appeared.
“Go for the eyes!” ordered Symin. He took out his dual swords and watched carefully as the two lizards defended against arrow shots to their eyes. While they were preoccupied, Symin ran up the center and jumped up onto their backs, driving his swords hard against Major Kymon. They struggled for position, but the lizards were reacting angrily and refused to stay still. Remus swatted angrily at the Howlers above him, sending Symin and Major Kymon flying off and crashing into the stone ground.
Symin attacked with controlled ferociousness. Blades swinging and landing this way and that, Major Kymon was just barely able to sway and dodge most of the attacks, but cuts and scrapes were beginning to tally upon his body. It looked like Symin was in complete control of the fight until Major Kymon landed a hard punch to the gut. He grabbed a hold of Symin’s left arm and twisted the sword out of it. Symin freed his arm and stepped back to catch his breath.
‘Not bad, old man, but that’ll be the last attack you get off on me.” They clashed again, Major Kymon proving he was also well versed in swordplay, having the edge over Symin. As they continued to battle, Romulus and Remus continued their assault on the Howlers. The Howlers had not yet succeeded in blinding the lizards, and they were running out of ammunition. They needed to attack the lizards up close now. Two of them leapt aboard Remus’ back. It was the one place it couldn’t bite or attack them. They moved up to its neck and tried to stab a sword through its head. Before they could
succeed, Romulus bit down on one of the Howlers while it punctured the other one with its razor sharp claws. Taking out these lizards was no easy task.
Even while focused on his fight with Major Kymon, Symin still had the situational awareness to give out orders.
“Take out its legs! Get them belly up and stab its heart!”
Major Kymon swung so hard Symin staggered backwards. “You should focus on the enemy standing before you, Captain.” Major Kymon tossed the sword in his hand back to Symin. “This sword is for children. Allow me to show you what a man’s sword looks like.” He took the enormous broadsword off his back. It was twice as long as Symin’s dual swords. “Now, come at me, child.”
The Howlers followed Symin’s orders immediately. One Howler took out his kusarigama; a sickle attached to a chain with an iron weight at the end of it. He threw the chain around Romulus’ front leg, wrapping it around tightly. Six of them grouped together and pulled. Romulus fought against them, tugging back on the chain. While his leg was up in the air, a smaller Howler rolled beneath Romulus’ body and jammed a sword up into its heart. Symin was right. The underside of the lizard’s body was softer and more malleable. Romulus screamed out in pain. Another two Howlers rolled underneath and jammed two more swords into the same spot. Romulus wilted and collapsed to the ground.
Remus roared at Romulus’ death, rampaging across the room. It attacked the other group of Howlers straight on, managing to kill two in its rage. With a swipe of its tail, it sent another four crashing against the wall. The last remaining group prepared for Remus’ next attack. They tried the same tactic, attempting to wrap the lizard’s leg, but Remus was aware of the strategy now. It leapt into the air, landing atop two of them, its claws digging deep into their chests, crushing their armor. A Howler shot a dagger off of the ground, ricocheting it up towards Remus’ chest. The lizard rolled to its left, swiftly maneuvering out of the way. Only a handful of Howlers now remained, and the lizard was onto their tricks.
Symin attacked with his dual swords, crossing them against Major Kymon’s broadsword. Kymon’s strength was incredible. With one hand, Major Kymon was able to fend off Symin’s full attack. Symin tried again, but this time Major Kymon blocked the attack and kicked Symin against the wall. Within a second, his broadsword dug deep into Symin’s shoulder, pinning him against the cold stone surface.
“You are a good fighter, but any child who battles an adult is going to lose.” Major Kymon pushed the broadsword deeper, causing more blood to gush out of the wound. “You killed one of my pets. It’s time for you to pay.” With Symin pinned down, Major Kymon picked up Symin’s swords and turned his attention to the remaining Howlers. He and the lizard seemed to have an unspoken understanding of what they were planning to do next. The lizard reacted first, pursuing the Howlers with claws extended and mouth agape. The Howlers moved out of the way, flushing to their right where Major Kymon was waiting. He swung his broadsword at two of them, narrowly missing. But before they could react, Remus’ tail caught them across the faces, knocking them to the ground. The Howlers were all out now. A handful killed and more knocked unconscious. Major Kymon looked back at Symin, still pinned against the wall.
“It’s time for Remus to have his vengeance.” Remus squatted low to the ground, hissing louder than ever. It charged at Symin, aiming for his head. It opened its mouth wide; saliva spewed everywhere, razor sharp fangs unleashed. Symin tried to pry the broadsword loose, but it was buried deep into the wall. He was stuck. Remus’ mouth closed in on him, its bloodlust unquenchable. Symin closed his eyes. In his moment of death, though, he instead heard a loud crackling sound. Symin opened his eyes to see Remus’ body lying on the floor, charred to a crisp.
“Thought you might need some help, big bro.” A voice called out at the top of the steps.
“You’re supposed to hang back till this battle was over. You didn’t look quite right out there.”
“I just had to clear my head.”
“How’d you find me?”
“You taught me too well. I just followed the same path I thought you’d go, and here you are.”
“Enough!” roared Major Kymon. “You killed both of my pets. Dragon or not, I will kill you, too!”
Major Kymon, with Symin’s swords in hand, raced up the stairs. A couple remaining Howlers had regained consciousness and grabbed a hold of him, pinning him to the ground. Raden ordered one of them to go free Symin. Raden walked down the steps, fire emanating from his hands. The fire transformed into two flaming swords. He stood above Major Kymon now, ready to strike.
“I do not fear death! Go ahead and kill me! But before you do, know this: You will never survive this place!” Major Kymon reached for his necklace. A switch of some kind hung off the end of it. Raden thrust his sword into Major Kymon’s chest, but it was too late. The switch had been turned. Kymon’s lifeless body dropped to the ground as the walls, floors, ceilings, and stairs began to shift. The castle was transforming.
Chapter 50