The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend
During times of pressure, Damian preferred to be alone. He was never the type of person who needed to be surrounded by people. He felt most comfortable in silence, in the company of his own thoughts.
For days, he’d not left the Great Hall in the Realmsic castle, turning it into his personal central command center. Although commandeering Maebus’ throne and the Council table, he rarely sat there. Much of Damian’s time was spent planted in front of the massive Realmsic map that draped the wall. His physical appearance was small compared to the size of the room, yet his presence filled the entire chamber.
Damian thought through his current situation and future plans, meticulously analyzing their many potential outcomes. Like an island, he stood immovable in front of the world map. It annoyed him to not yet possess the Realmsic Crystal. It was the only thing stopping him from commencing the second phase of his conquest.
As he pivoted towards the Council table, he noticed a figure standing in the doorway. The bright light shining in from the corridor silhouetted the figure’s frail body.
“I didn’t sense you,” Damian said.
The figure bowed slightly within the entrance. “My apologies, great leader. I didn’t want to interrupt your focus.”
“Come in, Seku,” he invited, moving from the map to the Council table. Damian sat on the throne seat as Seku approached.
“Sit,” Damian ordered. Seku obliged.
“That throne suits you perfectly, my Lord,” Seku said, scooting closer to the table surface.
“Ha, ha, ha. You’ve mastered quite a silver tongue at your golden age,” Damian replied.
“I like to think of my age as being advanced.”
Damian smiled as he observed the man sitting before him. Seku’s black-and-gray hair was similar to his own, though not as long. His mature face possessed deep age lines obtained from a particularly arduous life.
Despite his age, Seku was a skilled warrior, yet his recent days within the Legion were spent spying, more so than fighting.
He currently served as Damian’s eyes and ears regarding all situations. Staying mostly invisible to others, he slid as easily through the Legionarie ranks as he did the violent avenues of the Realmsic Kingdom. The information he gathered was essential for Damian to stay abreast of potential issues and threats, to keep his message uniform, and to keep his men of one accord.
“So,” Damian began, “what information do you have for me?”
Seku leaned forward as he spoke. “My Lord, your victory echoes throughout the land. The Legion is elated, and the Realmsic people are terrified.”
Damian listened intently.
“I’ve spoken to many of our men on the ground and listened to their conversations with each other,” Seku continued. “I’ve also observed the inhabitants of Centre Pointe. They cower in their homes or they flee. It appears the collective on both sides are still in disbelief at the fall of the Realmsic Kingdom. Yet many questions are being asked.”
“Questions like what?” Damian probed, leaning back in the stiff throne.
“Well, frankly, people want to know if victory has been achieved. Will magic now be completely outlawed, or will it remain as it currently is, regulated to practical-use only? For many, it seems the uncertainty of what’s to come is unnerving.”
“What’s to come,” Damian started, “is a conquest unlike anything ever before seen.”
“I think you’ve already succeeded. The fall of the kingdom—a two thousand-year-old institution—was far beyond anyone’s imagination.”
“Not mine,” Damian stated. “For what I’m planning next, Seku, this kingdom is but a pebble upon the face of a mountain. However, it cannot begin until I’ve obtained the Realmsic Crystal. Not only will it enhance my own magic, but Maebus will be powerless without it, and never again will there be a magical entity that can threaten me or our people.”
“Soon you will have the crystal,” Seku said. “As we speak, General Thane is tracking down the former King.”
“The General doesn’t move fast enough, and I must take advantage of the kingdom’s current climate of uncertainty... a climate that each day slips away from me.”
Damian rose from his seat and stepped once again towards the world map. “I cannot afford to wait,” he explained.
His mind ached with frustration. Right now, Damian had the loyalty of his men. But how long would their elation realistically last? How soon would they begin asking questions he did not yet want to answer? Also, how realistic would it be for General Thane to track down Maebus, who already proved to be as unpredictable as Damian himself?
“I have no doubts that all you seek shall come to you,” Seku said.
Shall come to you, Damian’s mind suddenly sparked. He turned towards Seku.
“Yes! All things shall. If I cannot find Maebus, then perhaps I shall make him come to me!”
Seku raised a curious brow. “How will you force him to do that?”
Damian smirked. “No leader wants to see their people suffer. Therefore, I will unleash the full fury of my Legion upon the people of Centre Pointe. All will grieve until the Realmsic Crystal is in my possession. Terror will travel rampantly, and Maebus will have no choice but to return and face me.”
Seku stroked the stubble on his chiseled jaw as he contemplated the notion. “That’s an interesting idea, my Lord. Yet, I wonder…” he paused.
“Go on,” Damian replied.
“If the King so willingly surrendered his kingdom, would he be willing to return to its defense?”
“As I said, Maebus will have no choice. Those of his people who still possess hope will be crushed, their cries will be unanswered. The kingdom, and the surrounding Realm, will be in such despondency that they’ll loathe their former King. There’ll be no place in the known world for him to hide. Therefore, Maebus will have to return, or he will live the rest of his life in disgrace.”
Seku nervously chewed on his lip, seemingly unsure of how to respond. “What do you intend to do to the Realmsic people?” he asked.
Damian’s smile vanished. “I intend to break their will.”
Chapter Eighteen