The Fated Swords (Mystics of V'nairia #1) (16 page)

This was the most important battle of their lives, they had to win they had to save the kingdom from destruction. They were the only ones that could
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Chapter XXVI
I

The Final Battle

They had to let go of their feelings long enough to finish this fight. If they were to make any mistake in this battle it would cost them their lives, and not just theirs but their friends and the kingdoms as well. They had to have a clear head and let go of all emotion. Zander had looked over at his friend, he had been so glad to have him back and on his side. They knew that they were ready no matter what happened
, they were ready to die. Everything that had happened to them before this moment had prepared them for what was too come. They were stronger than they had been before, they were about to take on a god and not just that but they were going to win.

 
         Vallus pulled a piece of white string from his pocket and pulled his hair back into a ponytail again. It had been just as Zander had remembered him; although his heart had been dark for a while Vallus had never really changed.

“Are you ready Zander?” Vallus asked.

“Yes, we will finish this.” Zander replied.

Vallus shook his head, “No I meant are you prepared for the end?” he asked.

Zander looked down at the ground and then up at his friend. “Yes if it comes to that.” He said.

They fist bumped each other and smiled, then looked up at Diaboro. The monstrous demon stood staring at them with rage, its eyes shone as bright as the sun in the dark cave. “Vallus, if were going out lets go out with a bang.” Zander said as he released Ivory.

Vallus also released Ebony, “Right brother.” He said in agreement.

 
         “If you think you can defeat the lord of demons then come and try.” Diaboro bellowed.

             
Zander and Vallus had taken off toward the large demon. As they passed by his legs they struck him with their blades. The demon hadn’t even flinched and proceeded to try and grab them with its large claws. Zander and Vallus had been much faster than Diaboro anticipated thanks to their magick boosting their speed and strength. Vallus thrusted his sword into Diaboro’s foot and twisted the blade, quickly pulling it back out. Diaboro had let out a loud roar as he felt the pain from Ebony’s blade. The demon began to fire beams from its eyes that burned holes through anything they had touched.

“Zander watch out for that attack, it’s fatal.” Vallus shouted. Zander nodded quickly dodging an oncoming beam attack. Diaboro had swung his large broad sword; a gust of wind came and swept the two boys into the back of the cave.

          They rose to their feet unharmed, “We have to get to the heart, it’s the only way to kill him.” Vallus said.

“How do you suppose we do that?” Zander asked.

“I’m not entirely sure at this point.” Vallus said.

“Well that’s not very comforting.” Zander said.

“We could try a long range approach?” Vallus asked.

“Okay then let’s go with that.” Zander said rolling his eyes.

They ran up to Diaboro once more this time refraining from getting too close. “Flame Art: Great Fire Stream!” both of the boys shouted as they spat flames from their lips.

The flames ran up Diaboro’s tall body and hit his face. The demon had begun to jump around trying to stomp them. The flames had made it hard to see them. Zander jumped up onto Diaboro’s arm while Vallus kept him blind
with his fire spell. Zander ran up his arm and finally reached his shoulder. Vallus released his spell and watched as Zander had taken his sword and sliced the side of Diaboro’s neck.

 
         Ignoring the pain from the gash in its neck the demon grabbed Zander and crushed him in his palm. Diaboro held him in front of his face, and glared at him, Zander was helpless.

“I have you now little man.” The demon said squeezing Zander’s tiny body.

The pain had become too much for Zander to bear, “Vallus!” he shouted in agony.

Vallus had to think of something quick or Zander would be crushed to death. “Demonic Art: Blood Axe!” Heiro shouted out of nowhere.

The blood axe came down and sliced right through the Demon’s hand. Zander was released from its grasp and began to cough.

“Flame Art: Triple Fire Shot!” Ashe shouted firing the arrows into Diaboro’s chest. The arrows exploded but the attack hadn’t been very effective.

          “I thought we told you two to stay back.” Vallus said.

“So we can watch you both get killed? I don’t think so.” Heiro said.

“Besides we did save Zander and helped you out.” Ashe said.

“Yes thank you both.” Vallus said.

She was right they acted quickly whereas Vallus had not, they saved him. “I know what we need to do, but you two need to leave the cave.” Zander said as he rose to his feet.

His body was still aching from being squeezed so tightly by Diaboro’s hand. “We are not leaving you here to die!” Ashe shouted.

“Ashe you are my sister and I love you but right now you need to listen to me.” Zander said. She could tell he was being serious but at the same time she didn’t want to leave and risk never seeing him again.

 
         “Heiro, please take Ashe and get out of here.” Zander said.

“Okay but you better not get yourself killed.” He said.

He grabbed her and walked her through the back of the cave. She didn’t speak, but he could see the fear in her eyes as she walked away. They walked out of the entrance of the cave and didn’t look back.

“What is
this plan of yours?” Vallus asked.

“I think it’s time we seen what these swords can really do.” Zander said.

Vallus had begun scratching his head, “I’m not sure I’m following you.” He said.

“Just follow my lead.” Zander said.

Vallus nodded and followed him as he ran at the demon once more. “Wind Art: Slicing Gale.” Zander said as he released the blades of wind from his sword.

Vallus followed up with his fire spell, “Combination Art: Flame Vortex!” they both shouted as the two spells collided.

The intensity of the flames kept Diaboro at bay for a few moments. Vallus had then realized the attack wasn’t meant to damage the demon it was meant as a distraction.

 
         “Vallus we have to combine our magick energy into one attack with our swords.” Zander said.

The two of them began to gather has much energy as they could. Their blades had begun to grow and were glowing with a black and white aura. “Combination Art: Twin Lotus Blades!” they shouted as they jumped up into the air and slashed Diaboro with their blades.

The strike had formed an X shape on the demon’s body. The force of the blow had knocked Diaboro off his balance. They watched as the great lord of demons fell on his back. They landed on its body just above its heart.

The demon laughed, “You cannot defeat me, I will return again.” Diaboro said.

“This time were not sealing you away.” Vallus said. “Were sending you back to hell!” Zander screamed as they thrust both the cursed blades into Diaboro’s heart.

They jumped down from its body and watched as a light came from the swords and filled the cave. There was a great explosion and the mountain began to give way. Diaboro’s body began to disintegrate and fade into black dust.

          Outside Heiro and Ashe watched as the mountain came down, they had feared the worst. There had been no sign of Zander or Vallus at all. Tears began to fall from Ashe’s eyes as the thought of never seeing her brother again passed through her mind. As the dust began to settle, Heiro had seen something off in the distance.

“Ashe, look over there.” Heiro said pointing to the wreckage. She had raised her head and wiped her eyes. The next thing she saw had gave her instant relief; it was Zander and Vallus walking towards them. She ran over to her brother and hugged him tight.

“I thought you were dead.” She said in the midst of crying.

“Ya know, for a second there I thought I was too.” He said and began to laugh. Vallus watched Zander and Ashe as they held each other. He was glad that Zander had finally known what it was like to have real family around. He had never seen him happier.

          “Well now that this mess is over, why don’t we all go back to the capital?” Vallus said.

“I definitely like that idea; I’ve had enough adventuring for a while.” Zander said smiling.

“Before we go there is something I’ve been meaning to do.” Heiro said as he took Ashe by the hand.

He pulled her close and looked into her eyes. “I know we haven’t known each other that long but I never really cared for time.” He said.

“I’m confused, what’s going on?” she asked him.

“I love you Ashe, I felt a connection from the moment I saw you. Will you marry me?” Heiro asked her.

Zander and Vallus were just as surprised as she was. Ashe was speechless; she didn’t know what to say. “No.” she said.

Heiro’s facial expression changed, he was disappointed. “Ya know you could buy me dinner and we can see where it goes from there.” She said smiling.

“Of course.” He said leaning down to kiss her.

Zander and Vallus both began to laugh and walked away from them. Heiro and Ashe quickly followed behind them hand in hand. They were finally on their way back to the capital, they had won and everything was going to be okay. Zander thought about Kerra and although while he was sad she was gone, he knew that she would always be watching over him so that meant she would always be close to his heart.

Epilogue

5 years later,

Zander stood before the academy’s newest graduates in his new uniform. Ivory was still latched on his side; he could never part with it. He had replaced Omak as the new Lieutenant of the militia. He had finally become a war hero just as his father had been before he died. The entire kingdom had heard of their triumph over the king of demons. The four of them were worshipped as the heroes of V’nairia. As they returned to the Capital and were granted their new roles, they had to Part Company for a while.

Heiro had moved to the city of Talias and now lives at Thesia’s old estate. He had it rebuilt to his own liking. He was also offered the title of Duke of Talias which he gladly accepted on the condition that none one would refer to him as “Duke.” He had also temporarily taken over leadership of the Order of the Cursed Blades, who have currently been recruiting new members. The kingdom had
forgiven him for his thieving and murdering under the impression that he was being possessed by demons, which they all knew had been close to the truth at one point. He was resting comfortably in his new home.

Ashe on the other hand remained in the Capital, despite the fact she was seeing Heiro. They had decided that for now they would focus on rebuilding the kingdom and focus on their relationship later. Ashe is now on the High Court as a judge, she is often called The Fire Drake despite her position. The nickname never really bothered her; it actually had grown on her after the battle in Talias. She also liked the fact that her brother lived in the same city, she could finally get to know him better and see him often. Zander hated the fact that she outranked him and gave him orders but he knew there was no use in complaining.

Vallus had become the new Supreme Judge of V’nairia and still wielded Ebony as his weapon. He had learned to better control its demonic power and only uses it for good now. He had chosen his new members on the High Court, he had specifically picked Ashe for her position and knew that Zander would be better suited in the Lieutenant position. He had overturned his late father’s previous laws against the mystic race. Now everyone was allowed to live in harmony once again under his rule. V’nairia was finally prospering, the first time in ages. Everyone had been much happier and felt safer knowing they had their heroes around to protect them.

Kerra was gone but not forgotten, Vallus and Zander had seen to that. They had built a large stone statue of an angel holding a lightning bolt to honor her. They even engraved her name at the bottom of the memoriam so everyone would know the one true hero of the kingdom. She had saved all of their
lives; especially Zander’s who without her would have been long gone. Zander still loved her and to him she was not far away, he always held her very close to him. Vallus and Zander both met at the statue often to talk and discuss the goings on in the kingdom with her spirit. Everything was fine now, as fine as things could be.

Zander stood on the stage in the academy’s auditorium about to give his speech when the double doors burst open. Vallus walked into the room clad in his new black armor that he had the blacksmith craft for him. Even the sight of it had made Zander jealous of him. Following him were too of his elite guard for protection, which Vallus didn’t need at all. If anything it was more of a formality. Zander and the new graduates knelt before him as he
approached the stage. They were the only ones in the room; the militia had never really cared for public events. It was a small intimate gathering of the boy’s induction into service.

“I hope I haven’t missed the speech.” Vallus said as he motioned them to rise.

Zander rose to his feet and walked over to him, “Not at all sir.” Zander said as he stood before Vallus.

They stared at each other for a moment and then embraced each other as family. Vallus looked out to the graduates sitting in their seats,

“Looks like you have trained some fine men Lieutenant.” He said commending Zander on his excellent work.

“Can you believe it’s been five years today?” Zander asked.

“I know it doesn’t seem like long ago at all. But look at everything we have achieved in such a short time.” Vallus said.

They looked down at their swords, “I guess we will always be bound as brothers.” Zander said smiling.

“We never needed the swords to know that Zander.” Vallus replied smiling back at him.

Suddenly the doors opened again and an older man rushed over to them. His graying hair sat flat upon his head.
“Ah Zander this is my new councilman, Braigan.” Vallus said introducing them.

The old man knelt before Zander and Vallus and rose up to hand Vallus a letter. “Your lordship this came for you only moments ago.” Braigan said.

Vallus took the letter from him and examined it. The seal was as white as Ivory’s Sheath. Vallus broke the seal and looked over the letter. His facial expression changed as though he was confused.

“Vallus, what does it say?” Zander asked.

Vallus did not speak; he kept looking over the letter. Vallus opened his mouth to speak “Who sent this letter?” he questioned Braigan.

Braigan shook his head, “I am not sure my lord,
the letter was lying on the desk in your office.” The old man said. Vallus thought this peculiar and didn’t know what to think.

“Had anything in the office seemed odd to you?” Vallus asked.

“No sir, your window was open but I had figured you had forgotten to close it so I did instead.” The councilman spoke. Vallus handed Zander the letter, he opened it again and it read:

Under the grace of the God almighty

You are invited to the coronation of

The Crusader King, Lord of V’nairia

It didn’t make sense; V’nairia had no king only the judges and its government that ruled over the land. Zander thought it had been some sort of joke, but wasn’t entirely sure. There was a seal at the bottom, it was the same as the one on the front of the letter, it had a white crown with the double swords behind it. Vallus had never seen this seal before; he had never known that such a clan existed if it even had been a clan. Nothing was currently known as too the purpose of the letter but one thing was for certain; it had made them feel uneasy.