Chapter 9 - March of The Succubus (The Awakening)

Silver rays glistened from the iron clad armour. Both men could not believe the spectecle before them. Moon Glades? Here in Mount Odyssey?

The footsoldier quickly spotted the prince and the General, and turned his attention to them. The priest, blade thrust through his heart, lay dead beneath the soldier's feet.

His look was intense, and fierce.

'By order of Lord Phillip, we are sent to take the Prince back to the South County'

The Prince winched. 'And you had to do it by killing an innocent bystander? You could have just...'

'I have my orders Prince Wai Kit, now get on that horse, now!'

Wai Kit drew his sword. 'I will have nothing of this sort! Give me your rank and armour soldier! I hereby strip you off duty by the power invested in me...'

The MoonGlades said nothing at first, then, they laughed.

Halo drew his sword, and stood between them. 'How dare you speak to the future Lord of the South in such perposterousity! I swear I'll have your head the moment I report this to his Lordship...'

The footsoldier looked up towards Halo, then laughed. 'Lord Phillip is dead, Halo. Now, draw your swords, or come quietly. I'll do more than kill to claim the throne.'

General Halo beckoned to the Prince to get behind him. But before he could do anything, the young Prince had already launched himslef ahead. The MoonGlades drew thier swords, and struck at the Prince, but he was too fast for them. A couple of strikes later, and the MoonGlade was knocked out, the Prince's heavy boot tightly pressed on his armour plate.



'Impressive ma' boy, well... for a boy that is.'



The young Prince stared at the General. 'Dont push it.'

He smiled. The Prince and the General approached the fallen MoonGlade. The Prince reached out for the head gear, and pulled. What he saw changed anything his training in Mt. Odyssey had prepared him for. What lay beneath the head piece was but a viod. Emptiness. Nothing. The South County was in danger!

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The dark clouds were long dissipated into a bright blue, yet, in a jungle with no chimney or window to let light in, illuminousity was but a bitter hope for a lost soul. Well, two exactly. General Siow dragged his feet over the muddly puddles, occasionally having to heave the heavy Lord Nesh dangling, motionless over his shoulders. The attempt of even making it out of this dark, gloom of a forest alife was too unlikely, impossible. But impossibilities were all that General Siow could wish for. His wounds were still burning, his sword still clenched tightly in his hand. Intoleratable and in harsh agony, he moved on. He knew he had to. The Lord of the North was breathing, but just barely. Crimson red blood flowed, leaving behind a trail of blood. The forest of Norshire was infamous for its tales of mystery and wonder, and the creatures that lurked within its shadows were solemn and often discarded as legends and myths,. But still, General Siow didn't want to take any chances. He had already had enough. Th fall of the entire Northern army in the hands of King Phillips and his men were davestating enough. But the queer questions still resounded in the echoes of his head. Who and what were they up to? Were they not sacrificed in the South County as the messengers have reported?

True to the words, Norshire was nothing but hidden shadows and murky swamps. Howles and whines of unknown beasts echoed throughout. Still, his heavy feet trudged on, vowing to make up for lost time. Behind them, he could still hear the distinct whispers and galloping, the rustling of the bushes and the crackling of nearby branches. The route was claer up ahead. General Siow looked around, placing his ears onto the ground. The tremours were still there. They must be close, but in the wrong direction. Carefully, he heaved the heavy mass of flesh, or what was left of it, onto the ground. His Lordship was breathing weakly.

'Sire... Sire! We're almost out of here, I can feel it. A little up ahead, and there might be water.... and....'

Lord Nesh opened his eyes, managing only a peek through his battered eyelids. He could hear his general weeping. For what seemed like an eternity, they lay there, in silence. Then, the Lord of the North, hands shivering from the cold and the pain, spoke.

'No.... Its.. too... late for.. me.' He smiled, like a father's smile to a son. 'Listen to me, Siow.... There is little... time..... If the dark forces have set foot on the Middle Kingdoms, all of Ezeroth, and the North County.... will be next....'

'No sire! We still need you to lead us! The.. the army might be lost... but... the King! We can send word to the king. The Elites can do something about it, sire! Can they not?'

The torn Lord smiled even more. Never in his life had Siow witnessed the infamous Lord Nesh smile. His Lordship was always tough, unbent, and just. The demi-god with the strength of ten men, who could erect fallen stone into monumental structures of war. The House of Nesh had been governing the North, for almost twenty generations. There might not be kindness and punishments under stringent rules, but there was, above all, peace.

Lord Nesh shook violently, more blood now oozing out of his wounds. The wounds were deep and badly ripped. Anyone would have died of the pain. But Lord Nesh Dominic II Naidu was not anybody.

'Take... take this....' the wounded Lord took out a torn piece of what seemed like parchment from his belt. 'I... I managed to get this from one of the Seargents of the MoonGlade when they pierced me....' He coughed, and blood splattered unto the ground.

General Siow took it from the Lord's bloody hands, and opened it, his eyes moist from the very thought of losing the ruler and master of the North. Within, were some kind of scriptures, engraved in what seemed like dry blood.

'Take... this... to a wise man named Kye.... in the Middle Kingdom... He.. He'll know what to ... do... with...'

The conculvtions were uncontrollable now. 'Hang in there, milord! We can make it out of here. Oh, in the name of the Holy SunBear, I promise I'll...'

Before he could finish, Lord Nesh reached out his hand. 'That.. would be enough... General.... That would be... enough'

And with one last smile, the great Lord heaved his last breath, and then, there was silence. The man who ruled the Northern Lands... now lay dead before General Siow, a man of valour and immense courage.

In tears, Siow took one last look at the fallen Lord of the North. 'By the heavens I swear, that in the place of this great man, there will come great retribution! His death will not go unpunished!'
The heavens were raining. A slow, but greyish rain. Its as though even the skies weep for the lost of a man of such valour. General Siow placed the last amount of earth on top of the grave, and reached for the emerald sword that lay by his side. He decended to his knees, and gently placed the sword over the grave.

'Within these sands lie the once beating heart that lead the County of the North to honour and glory. This man was a legend. A legend whose stories will be entrusted upon the minds of generations years to come.'

He stood up, bowed one last time, and turned his back towards the Lord of the North one last time.

Just as he did, he could hear gentle rustling of leaves. General Siow paused a moment too late, as two arrows jetted past the General, the first missing his right arm, but the later penetrating his left knee. He drew his sword a hint later than the arrow. He let out a cry of agony, and fell, clenching his sword for support. Two MoonGlades came out of thier hiding, crossbows in hand.
Behind them, an audible galloping, and the stomping of hooves against the soft terrain, stood the shadow of a tall figure. This figure was no MoonGlade, but it wore a high coat, demanding respect. The two MoonGlades bowed at the presence of the higher being, as it disembarked from the Dark Night. It drew its rapier, and pointed it towards the fallen General, as more MoonGlades joined the troup, surrounding the General.

'In the name of the Highbourne, General Siow, I've come to take your life.'

Genral Siow, managing to finally pull the arrow out of his knee cap, threw it to the ground. He tried to stand, but a sudden surge of pain ran through his spine, and he fell again.

'No use trying to stand now, great General. That arrow has been poisoned with the venomous of snakes in the Noreshire forest. No amount of antidotes will cure it. So even if you DO, in some twisted fate, run out of this situation, which I find rather unlikely, you will die.'

Siow took a closer look at the demon. His face was inhuman, almost beastlike. There were what seemed more like blunt horns pertruding out of its otherwise abnormal skull. Its eyes were red, flushed and it was not very well built. In the field of military concencous, it had to play more of an advisor than a soldier.

It pointed the rapier directly at the tip of the General's throat throat now.

'Any last words?'

The General eyes the demon. 'Before I die... Tell me your name.'

The demon looked at the General, and laughed. 'Mortals... Still fantasizing about the slight chance you have at getting back at me eh? Well then let it be known, that The HighBlood Command of the Second Battalion, Razamire, has taken the life of famed General Siow. Now, this will only hurt for a second...'

'That's all I need to know.'

A second later, the rapier pointed only moments ago at the General was snapped in two.
'What in the devil...'

Siow surged forward, laying a huge fist at Razamire, causing the figure to bolt in reverse, hitting the ground with a thud. The demon staggered to its feet, still tarumatized by the hit. THen, he shook his head, only to find blood seeping out from his chin. He bellowed, How dare you! Get him you fools!'

The two MoonGlades raised thier crossbows aimed, and fired. The arrows missed the General, landing instead in the chest of a neaerby MoonGlade. Siow raised his sword, and slashed the two MoonGlades in half. Three more MoonGlades took the place of thier fallen counter parts, and drew thier swords as well, only to be knocked down by the enraged General. Siow fought bravely, slaying another MoonGlade. The famed swordsmen were fast and swift, but Siow had the advantage of skill. But skill alone was no match for numbers. A couple of moments later, he had himself surrounded. Razamire smirked, as he apporached the group.

'No where to run now, mortal? Finish him!'

Then, there was a loud crack, and the MoonGlade standing directly next to Razamire fell, arrow through his neck.

'Not unless I say so!' A flash of blinding light, and two figures emerged from the shadows, taking on several MoonGlades. Then, a loud battlecry, and a couple more figures joined the fight. The confused MoonGlades turned thier attention to the new attackers. Siow, too, was surprised, but he seized the opportunity, and struck a solid blow on the nearby MoonGlades.

'There are too many of them! Retreat!' Razamire yelled. The coward jumped on his horse, and raced off, followed by the other MoonGlades. In the havoc, several of the MoonGlades were struck dead on the ground, as the rest tried to escape. Others fought the new invaders, only to find what seemed like hundeds more emerging from the shadows of the forest. In a final effort to escape, the MoonGlades jumped on whatever horses were left and escaped into the wilderness, leaving behind a helpless few who were sitting ducks for the attackers.

Once it was safe, the General turned his attention his saviours. The footmen who came forward introduced himself as Sir Gallaweed. It was when he kept his sword that Siow noticed the high mark of the bolt, or Thunder on his sword case. An Elite! The king's royal guard!

Sir Gallaweed was first to speak. 'I apologize for not arriving sooner, your emminence. The men were caught with the unfamilar terrrain. But I do understand if your Lordship would accompany me back to the castle. King Wye has an urgency....'

'Whoa.. whoa... wait a second there! What did you just call me?'

The royal guard blinked. 'Your Lordship, sire?'

'Now listen here, you!' Siow drew his sword. This made the royal guard back away. 'The only Lord I know, love and serve is dead just moments ago. If this is some attempt to mock me and the County of the North, swear on Lord Nesh's grave that I'll...'

'You're General Siow, I presume?' the royal guard inquired, still not willing to let his sight off the blade pointed directly at him.

'SO what if I am?'

'Then please, your emminence, keep that blade away. The only Lord present here, is you, Lord Siow, of the North County. The king has heard of Lord Nesh's death.'

This time, it was Siow's turn to blink. 'How'd you....'

'The Oracle, Lord Siow. Now, I'll expalin on the way. The King has an urgent need to see you, so I advise we hurry up.'

The royal guard turned and headed for his horse. Siow was still dumbfounded.

'Why should I trust you?'

'Because if you don't, sire, Princess WanYi would be very upset.'
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A huge fog had long since engulfed the shady forest. The scout party stormed through the forest. Literally. Most of it due to the scouts themselves. They were not of a fixed form, more elemental. Dark Elementals, as they called themselves. Most prized in war, agile and quick, they can cover hectars of land in a matter of minutes, consuming everything in their path. The formless shades whizzed thorugh the forest, thier passng causing the nearby greens to decay and die the instant death. Almost as though they were robbed of thier soul.

Six miles apart, a pack of horses strodded in fine unisense. A full ten horses, covered in steel plates, sharp thorns and blades pertruding out. Its hooves were solid steel. Its horses alone were humungous. Yet, if you can call them horses. They were more of bones and flesh, its eyes blood shot just like its rider's. The riders enclosed themselves in black hoods, allowing only the eyes to be visible. The leading horse, this one larger than the rest, rode the Beastlike demon. The same blunt horns, but this time, a much larger built, and the intensity of its red blood shot eyes were bone chlling.

Soon, the fog began to lift, and suddenly, one of the horses neighed, and the entire patrol stopped. The elementals have returned from thier search. The leader of the patrol disembarked the undead horse, and hit the ground with a loud thud. Immediately, from the horizon, three shady figures appraoched. They seem to dissapear and reappear as they got closer. One of them moved towards the horsemen, and an echo, as quiet as a whisper but loud enough to make the entire patrol nod in agreement.

'Blood.....'

Then, the horsemen stood up, and there, in the distance, they saw it. An outpost. The symbol of the Middle Kingdom's crown embedded on its doors. One of the Five Outposts. Huge fortresses that were meant to prevent any intruder from the barbaric clans around Norshire forest. Two hundred footsoldiers. Three hundred archers, hidden in four positons around the dense forest. A river, up the frozen banks, lay two villages. Fresh humans for slaughter. Twelve towers, nightguards. Fifty calvary. Heavy stone walls, a draw bridge, catapults at every corner.

The demon's blood shot eyes blinked, and then, it made a loud growl. There was a sudden rumble of the ground below, and them, the earth began to crack apart. One by one, all sorts of undead creatures though possible emerged from the depths of hell. Skeletons, bloodhounds and gargoyle, emerging out of the ground like mushrooms after the rain. The skies and forests were soon filled with an army of the undead, howlng and growling, desperate for blood.

The ten rders disembarked, and then, formed a circle. They each took a dagger out of its case, and in perfect coherence, thrust it into thier chests. Blood poured out but as soon as it reached the ground, it began to swivle and turn, forming a cloud of red and purple. Soon, a leg began to take shape, then an arm, an then, there was a head. All at once the creatures that had emerged bowed down as though they had seen their maker. In fact. they had. Out of the chants, the ten horsemen retreated, and out of the smog of red and purple, a tall figure, menacing and only half-visible through its shady exterior, emerged. It had eyes that were shut tight, as though it was blind. Huge wings appeared on its back. Its face was solemn and drown, but it had a terrible aura, one so powerful that the nearest gargoyle vaporized at its presence.

'Garh... Finally.... After al these years.... The Highbourne.. will rise again...'

Then, as quickly as it disembarked, the horsemen hopped back onto the horse. The Highbourne, eyes still closed, glared directly at the outpost. An evil smile appeared on its lips. It began to chant, and then, dark clouds began to form above.

At the outpost, the footsoldiers noticed somethng wrong about the weather. The dark clouds were slow at frst, then, there was a clasp of lightning, striking one of the catapults, setting it ablaze. There was panic, as the footsoldiers tried to put it out. Then, there was a huge tremble. The ground began to shake violently. It seemed like nothing at first, then, another bolt of lightning, and a loud battlecry echoed throughout the outpost.

'We've got company! Signal the commander, go!'

The footsoldier dissapeared into a nearby tent, and emerged together with a more authoratative figure, his armour palte bearing the chest of the crown. Beside him, ten others bore the crest of the Thunderbolt.

'What's all this?' But as soon as he saw the dark clouds above, the commander of the Fifth Outpost of Ezaroth began shouting commands in every direction. As the footsoldiers armed themselves, what seemed like a dark wall of black smoke began to appear from the fringes of the forest. Slow at first, then, it picked up speed, and finally, the soldiers of the Fifth Outpost were face to face with the greatest fears of all mankind. The commander, alongside the royal guards, drew thier weapons.

'God have mercy...' was the last thing the commander said as the fortress was completely engulfed by the darkness, fire and ashes, cries of pain and agony. Then, there was silence.
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Lord Robson woke up from his sleep, sweating from head to toe. He looked around him. His men were still asleep, so was Lord June and Lady Veena. He paused to think, cold sweat still trickling down his now soaked tunic. The pale glow of the moon was visible through the eerie shdows of Norshire forest. It was a nightmare? It had to be.....

Just minutes ago, they had bumped into the massive Northern army headed to an unknown place. Lord June had advised that they wait, in case anything was amiss. besides, what help would two Lords, a Princess, and a couple of men do?

He stood up. He needed some time alone. Just as he took a turn into the forest, there was a gentle rustle of leafs, and Lord Robson turned to look. There, before him, stood the Highbourne that appeared in his dreams, that evil smile still on his face, grinning, speaking the words, 'I'm coming for you....' Then, it dissappeared.

Lord Robson was dumbfounded, and then, as though realising something urgent, he raced back to the camp site at top speed.

As he arrived, he didn't bother waking anybody up, but just got onto a horse. The entire commotion woke the entire camp up.

'What's wrong, Robson... Why'd you?' before Lord June could finish, Lord Robson was already galloping out of sight. The Lord of the Nightingale immediately stood up. Lady veena looked confused, so was the rest of the troupe.

'I think you should follow him.' Lady Veena said in concern. He nodded.

Lord June raced across the same direction on horse, trailing behind the troubled Lord. Not long later, he could see Lord Robson up ahead, on the cliff of a mountain. He was motionless. Lord June galloped towards him.

'What happened? I thought we.....'
He hung in mid-sentence, and paused. He could not believe what he saw. Just like Lord Robson, who had now shaking uncontrollably. It was uncomprehensible. Before them, just as the morning sun cast its rays upon the valley, the entire Nothern army lay dead - footmen, horses, flags. An entire sea of dead men, the whole ten thousand strong.